ENGINEER

United Nations

Job details

  • ONSITE
  • TEMPORARY
  • KABUL
  • Verified 2026-10-07
  • Source: United Nations public UN Careers board

Original job description

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), duty station Kabul. Within delegated authority, the incumbent will report to the Chief Service Delivery. Responsibilities Administration: •Develop short and long-range plans for the design, procurement of goods/services, construction/commissioning, and operation/maintenance of DPKO mission facilities and infrastructure, taking into consideration that DPKO missions are typically established in areas with a risk-environment of medium to high threat, and in areas with minimal power, communications, transport and service infrastructure. Mission facilities typically include hard wall camps suitable for civilian staff, logistics bases and airbases with all required utility infrastructure for electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems and security works. •Design, construction and maintenance of internal road infrastructure, for the movement of personnel and goods amongst the mission facilities, are also commonly performed. •Prepare reports and other associated engineering-related information, for progress reporting, and special reports for quality, cost or schedule variances. •Draft responses to both internal and external audit observations on engineering tasks and activities in the mission. •Develops Environmental Management System (EMS) as per ISO 14001 recommendations, Including policy and environmental action plan. •Coordinates with UNHQ the actions related to organization’s environmental strategy, especially updates on Mission Wide Environmental Action Plan (MEAP). Planning: •Contribute 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. commercial contractors, mission support teams, or mission engineering staffing) for the most effective and efficient execution of the engineering work plans. •Monitor actual costs and schedule performance against the approved budget and baseline schedules. •Keeps abreast, through relevant engineering literature, of significant trends and the development of improved methods and equipment. •Provide the Chief Service Delivery with updated data, analytics and advice on the optimal management of assets, financial and human resources allocated to the Unit to support client services. •Prepare the mission's engineering staffing management plan, and acquire, develop and manage all engineering staff members in support of engineering work plans. Implementation: •Provide expert technical advice on technical documents and overall policies, procedures and guidelines pertinent to the mission's engineering activities, taking into account environment, quality management and risk management best practices. Recommends solutions to unusual engineering problems. •If applicable, fully support with limited staffing during the liquidation phases, the site selection/assessment process and asset disposal process, respectively. •Ensure that all engineering activities, in particular related to energy, water and wastewater and waste, are in compliance with the DPKO/DFS Environmental and Waste management policies and in line with the DFS Environment strategy objectives; coordinate with the mission's environmental officer for guidance as needed. •Performs other related duties as assigned by the Chief Engineer or the Chief Supply Chain and Service Delivery and/or the Chief of Mission Support. Competencies Professionalism: Ability to apply engineering skills and to participate in engineering projects, including preparation of cost estimates, research of data and preparing graphs. Ability to identify and analyze engineering data of significant depth and complexity. 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. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals-Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others-Places team agenda before personal agenda- Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position -Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Planning& 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. Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority-Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member-Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills-Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines-Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff-Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative- Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff-Appraises performance fairly. Education Master's degree or equivalent, in Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture or related appropriate area required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Certification in Project /Programme Management methodology by an accredited body (i.e. PMP, PGMP, PRINCE 2 Foundation Project Management certification or practitioner level is desirable. Certification as Chartered Structural/Civil Engineer/Architects is desirable. Job - Specific Qualification Not available. Work Experience Seven years of supervisory including experience at the international level in project management/contract management for large design/construction projects and facilities maintenance programs is required. Experience maintaining project quality, time and cost controls under harsh weather conditions including extreme winters and summers, limited quality material and manpower issues is required. Experience providing services in the field of Engineering Management, Facilities Management, and Contract Management to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System, including collaboration with Global Service Centers and other remote entities, is required. Experience in high security threat environments, including participation in the assessment of infrastructure and related force protection solutions which are realistic and optimized and prioritized to take account of available resources, is desirable. Experience in negotiation with host government authorities to secure land and premises in line with SOMA/SOFA obligations, and liaison to obtain permissions for alterations, improvements, and takeover/handover is desirable. Experience with SAP ECC (ERP Central Component), and SRM (Supplier Relationship Management) in the areas of scheduling, procurement and logistics processes is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Dari is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details). Required Languages LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II Desirable Languages LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingDariUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IUN Level I Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice • This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2026. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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. Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2): (1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and (2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions. 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. 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.

Related jobs

Apply at company