Engineer

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Engineering Unit, Service Delivery Section of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC), in Bogota. The Engineer reports to the Chief of Unit, Engineering. The Engineer is responsible for applying standard engineering practices and precedents in the design, construction, maintenance, repair and liquidation of structures, facilities and systems required for peace-keeping and other United Nations field missions. Engineers at this level normally carry out portions of more complex projects assigned to a Senior Engineer.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Engineer will apply professional engineering knowledge and expertise in performance of the following duties and responsibilities: 1. Administration • Applies commonly used engineering calculations, practices and precedents in completing portions of larger projects related to the design, construction, or repair of buildings, roads, bridges, airfields, helipads, docks, waste disposal systems, flood control systems, water treatment facilities, electrical power generation and distribution systems, environmental control systems, field defense, mine detection and clearance, and other related structures and activities in the field. • Prepares reports and other associated engineering related information, for progress reporting, and special reports for quality, cost or schedule variances, etc. • Drafts responses to both internal and external audit observations on engineering tasks and activities in the mission. • Contracts and project management of contractors and works carried out in field offices. 2. Planning • Contributes to the development of annual engineering budgets and associated work schedules, based on engineering resource planning, taking into account all required engineering material needs and selected enabling capacities (e.g. military engineering units, commercial contractors, mission support teams, or mission engineering staffing) for the most effective and efficient execution of the engineering workplans. Monitor actual costs and schedule performance against the approved budget and baseline schedules. • Conducts preliminary site investigations to obtain field data such as soil characteristics, drainage and other data required for building site selection. Develops technical data regarding materials, sizes, dimensions, and quantities and costs to be incorporated in formal specifications. • Liaises with other engineers and mission specialists responsible for related specialized phases to arrive at mutually satisfactory approaches to problems by exchanging and comparing data. 3. Implementation • Provides expert technical advice on technical documents and overall policies, procedures and guidelines pertinent to the mission's engineering activities, taking into account quality management and risk management best practices. • If applicable, fully supports with limited staffing during the mission start-up and liquidation phases, the site selection/assessment process and asset disposal process, respectively. 4. Performs other related duties as assigned by the Chief of Unit, Engineering.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of buildings and engineering, renovation and construction projects. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture or related appropriate area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in engineering projects management is required. Experience in Contracts Management and Procurement activities is desirable. Proficiency in computer engineering and design software, AutoCAD, Microsoft Office applications and MS Project or equivalent is required. Experience managing ERP systems is desirable. Knowledge of methodologies for project planning, execution and evaluation of engineering compliance standards and proven ability in analytical work is required. Experience in the United Nations System or other international organizations in the relevant field is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in both English and Spanish is required. NOTE: Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand), and "knowledge of" equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff, as per the Secretary General´s Gender Parity Strategy. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Candidates interested to work for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia may wish to check out our Realistic Job Preview videos to get an idea of the living and working conditions in different duty stations in Colombia.: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-8SCkVjg-e3073SwTDG1VQf1oLTWfUQ4

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term "sexual exploitation" means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term "sexual abuse" means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term "sexual harassment" means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator's working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on "Manuals" in the "Help" tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.