Senior Engineer, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Job Title

SENIOR ENGINEER, P5

Department/ Office

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR - DOA

Duty Station

ADDIS ABABA

Posting Period

30 June 2011-29 August 2011

Job Opening number

11-ENG-eca doa od-20132-R-ADDIS ABABA

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Division of Administration (DOA) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa. The Senior Engineer reports directly to the Director of Administration and is also responsible for the management and overall supervision of the staff in the NOF Coordination Office.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Engineer will be responsible for the following duties:

Manages, coordinates and plans resources for the NOF Construction project of the UNECA.

Reviews, directs the preparation and up-dating of project documentation, including project plan, project schedule, scope of work, drawings, and technical documents for competitive tenders; and managing the evaluation of technical proposals.

Provides expert technical advice on overall policies, procedures and guidelines for the construction project. Oversees the on-site construction works during all phases of the NOF project through adequate contract management arrangements to ensure the contractors' compliance with their contractual obligations.

Analyzes NOF budget proposals, ensuring that the funds proposed are adequate for engineering requirements. Provides data for internal and external audits. Establishes and implements of a robust internal control framework to oversee the project and to provide independent advice on project status, progress billing and change orders to include independent quantity surveying capacity and clerks of work services.

Liaises with national and international officials and observers to ensure adequate exchange of information and provision of full assistance on engineering and related support matters. Liaises with UN Headquarters New York to coordinate technical requirements for construction projects, including major change orders that have design or financial implications.

Participates in and provides expert advice on long-range development planning relating to engineering support requirements and related aspects of NOF construction project.

Prepares project reports and briefings, including reports to the General Assembly, weekly and monthly project progress reports, financial reports, end of project evaluation report and others as may be required.

Directs all relevant aspects of financial management of the project, including overseeing the development of draft allotment requests, administer and follow-up all regular payments and performance reporting in coordination with ECA Office of Strategic Planning and Programme Management (OPM) and UN Headquarters, Programme, Planning and Budget Division.

Manages a unit of engineering staff and Establishes substantive oversight of the project team.

Performs other related duties as directed by the Director of Administration.

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. Ability to manage resources, coordinate and monitor project budget and funds. 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 honours 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.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Judgment/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in engineering, architecture or other related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in engineering or related area, including experience in planning and design of projects and facilities.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in both oral and written English is required. A working knowledge of French is highly desirable.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Assessment Method

There will be competency based interview and other assessment methods as required.

Special Notice

Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

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.