Background Information - Job-specific
Background Information – Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMC)
The KEMC sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and South Africa. This includes primarily transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and several island states.
Background Information - Job-specific
The Technical Services Unit (TSU) engages in multidisciplinary design, assessments and advisory work, and manages relationships with other technical stakeholders such as specialist design firms for high risk structures.
The Technical Services Unit office is based in Nairobi and personnel may be required to travel extensively to other UNOPS locations.
The Technical Services Unit (TSU) currently provides design services for infrastructure works to Project Managers. Recently the team has expanded its offering to include consulting services such as assessments, feasibility studies and advisory services on a wide range of infrastructure types.
The TSU currently has 17 permanent and 60+ retainer personnel including architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, quantity surveyors, GIS and specialist infrastructure advisors (for dams, ICT, safeguards, biomedical works inter alia) and CAD technicians as well as support personnel. Current projects are underway / imminent in Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique and Cameroon.
The TSU is a business unit for the Multi-Country office and comes under the direction of the Director for East and Southern Africa office (KEMC).
The Mechanical Engineer (retainer) shall be called on on an ad-hoc basis to support various projects in assessments by providing a mix of design, analysis and advice.
Functional Responsibilities
Purpose and Scope of Assignment
Under the overall supervision of the Technical Services Unit Manager in Nairobi, Kenya the Mechanical Engineer will give his/her technical expertise as required to manage and coordinate any analysis and or designs assigned, cost estimates for mechanical works, conduct assessments and or monitor site works, undertake commissioning and provide high quality related documentation. He or she will be responsible for managing staff under his/her supervision and ensure high quality and on time delivery. The projects may be in international locations.
Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following substantive tasks. The tasks would involve the following but not limited to:
-
Conduct site assessments of mechanical components of works
-
Recommend sustainable and cost effective solutions
-
Carry out computational fluid dynamics analysis using own software and report on results
-
Collaborate with other disciplines and provide comprehensive design, drawing, specification and bills of quantity information to UNOPS standards to be included in contract documentation
-
Provide technical support in tender evaluations of mechanical works
-
Site visits to monitor of installation of the mechanical services on projects
-
Review the design of mechanical services of projects;
-
The consultant will work from home, providing all engineering software and hardware required and be prepared to travel to any site in or around the countries under KEMC as required and as UNDSS permits.
An agreed task order including the scope, deliverables and the maximum time duration will be agreed upon by the Technical Services Unit and the Mechanical Engineer prior to commencement of each and every assignment. He/she is responsible for ensuring timeous delivery of mechanical services as defined in the task order
Monitoring and Progress Controls
Technical tasks:
-
Conduct comprehensive site assessments and desk reviews and collate data into high quality reports with associated recommended actions and budgets
-
Conduct computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis using own software to clearly inform or support design solutions where required
-
Prepare accurate and energy and water efficient designs that are practically implementable.
-
Provide technical input to procurement specifications and analysis of tender returns to support the procurement team
-
Produce comprehensive and accurate mechanical bills of quantity, maintaining up to date rates for estimating purposes
-
Verify technical specifications of mechanical products, apparatus, services and associated quality material
-
Liaise with contractors regarding testing of installed mechanical equipment in order to verify their quality as being an integral part of both design and manufacture.
-
Check and approve material and equipment incorporated in the works.
-
Measure, check, and record the executed works against payment requests submitted by contractors and review measurement sheets for the periodic payment of the work.
-
Liaise with the UNOPS Electrical Engineer on electrical engineering consultants commissioned to support designs works for construction.
-
Produce high quality and accurate Mechanical Engineering design reports, drawings, specifications, bills of quantity
-
Prepare estimates and prices for new project development works.
-
Prepare Snag List for final project checking, prior to handover.
-
Manage and supervise final commissioning and handover documents to clients.
-
Ensure as-built drawings and maintenance manuals for the finished materials used in the works.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
a. Education
Minimum Qualification
-
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university is required.
b. Professional registration
- Full member status registration with recognized professional engineering body will be an added advantage.
c. Work Experience
- Minimum 4 years experience in Mechanical Engineering is required.
- Minimum 2 years experience in carrying out Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis is required.
- Full working knowledge of English is required.
- Knowledge of a second UN or regional working language is an asset.
Competencies
| Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion. |
| Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). |
| Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. |
| Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. |
| Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. |
| Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. |
Contract type, level and duration
Contract level: ICS 9/ LICA 9
Contract duration: One year renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Information
- Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time.
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
- UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
- UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
- Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
- For retainer contracts, you must complete the Mandatory Courses in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
- The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
- All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
- It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.