Construction Engineering Technician Senior Assistant - Laboratory Technician

Contract

This is a LICA-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA-5 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The successful candidate will work for the European Union (EU) Trust Fund Feeder Roads project whose main objectives are to improve feeder roads network and rural infrastructure; to enhance social cohesion of communities and to promote gender equality across the focus areas; and to improve food systems efficiency and increased household incomes of target vulnerable populations. The project aims to build synergies and capitalize on the achievements of previous and ongoing EU-funded interventions in Warrap, and Northern and Western Bahr El Ghazal states in South Sudan, where rural infrastructure has been developed with funding from the EU. The project will draw lessons from other EU-funded projects such as the South Sudan Rural Development program (SORUDEV), Rural Development: Strengthening Smallholders' Resilience (SORUDEV SSR), and Zonal Effort for Agricultural Transformation - Bahr el Ghazal Effort for Agricultural Development (ZEAT BEAD).

Functional Responsibilities

The Construction Engineering Technician Senior Assistant - Laboratory Technician will report to the Lead Civil Engineer and work with other project team members. He or she will:

• Assist in setting up laboratories;
• Assist in supervising the laboratory work and supervising the cleaning of laboratory equipment;
• Assist in assessing the work activities for which labour-based methods are appropriate;
• Collect samples from existing ground including from borrow pits, natural stone, sand and other materials for testing;
• Assist in conducting field testing and in-house laboratory testing;
• Assist in maintaining the quality assurance system with respect to sources of material, material testing, tests on completed elements of work, acceptance criteria, keeping in view the specifications for works;
• Assist in reviewing materials mix designs for concrete or any other products specified to or proposed by the contractor and suggesting modifications in the mix design;
• Assist in supervising and ensuring that the contractors’/consultants’ staff carrying out field and laboratory tests is properly trained and carries out tests in accordance with the specified methods;
• Keep appropriate records of all test results in hard and/or soft copies, as appropriate;
• Assist the Project Engineer/Materials Engineer during the preparation of reports.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Regular testing reports to be provided to Project Engineer/Materials Engineer;
• Test results to be provided to the design team for design work;
• Prepare and maintain proper records of work progress and project reports;
• Maintain site journal and other site specific documents;
• Timely delivery of all site construction documentations.

Final Product

• Materials testing carried out to the highest possible standard as detailed in the contract specifications;
• Submission of all data and reports collected during the course of the assignment.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Secondary Certificate with additional five (5) years’ of relevant work experience is required OR
• Diploma/Technical/Professional Diploma with additional three (3) years’ of relevant work experience is required OR

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Project Management/Construction management or other related field with additional one (1) year relevant experience OR

• Masters Degree in Engineering or related field is an added advantage;

• Relevant certificates or training related to working as a Laboratory Technician will be an added advantage.

Work Experience

• Minimum five (5) years’ relevant experience in the engineering and/or construction industry is required.
• Conducting work related to providing technical specifications and materials testing of soils, aggregates, concrete, bitumen and other construction materials is an added advantage.
• Experience as a laboratory technician in a large scale road construction project is an added advantage.
• Field work experience in fragile environments like South Sudan is desirable.
• Certification in PRINCE2 or other Project Management Disciplines is desirable.

Language requirement

• Fluency in written and oral English is required.
• Knowledge of local Arabic and or local languages is desired.

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.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. 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

1. Contract type Local Individual Contractor Agreement.
2. Contract level - LICA Support, LICA 5.
3. Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

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 Considerations

• 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.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

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.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.