Engineer

Volunteering Environment Engineering

Overview

Provide engineering guidance for construction projects

You have:

• Civil engineering and construction experience required.
• Experience in project implementation and supervision required.
• Excellent use of AutoCAD and other design software required.
• Familiarity with database management and office technology required.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team required.

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), the UN headquarters in Africa, was established by the UN General Assembly in 1996 in the capital city of Kenya. UNON is headed by a Director-General at the Under-Secretary-General level, who serves as the representative office of the Secretary-General in Nairobi and performs representation and liaison functions with permanent missions, the host-country and other Governments, and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in Nairobi, as well as other organizations of the United Nations system in Kenya.

UNON also facilitates cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, and provides administrative support, public information support, conference services, and safety and security services for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and joint and common services to other organizations of the United Nations system in Kenya.

This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of UNON FMTS (Facilities Management and Transport Section) projects and flagship programming initiative, among others.

Under the direct supervision of the D-Chief FMTS the UN Volunteer will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Consult with and provide guidance to project stakeholders and managerial staff regarding engineering requirements for construction of various designs, modifications, and structural repairs
• Use design software and drawing tools to accurately render and communicate designs
• Plan and design other necessary and related systems and structures such as transportation, hydraulics, etc.
• Assess strength of foundations, concrete, asphalt, or steel by testing materials and soil
• Set design specifications by computing load and grade requirements, material stress factors, water flow rates, and similar parameters.
• Plan projects based on the analysis of relevant materials such as drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, survey reports, maps, and other geologic and topographical data
• Draft and present reports on topics related to projects such as environmental impact statements and right-of-way descriptions
• Estimate materials, equipment, and labour needed to determine project costs
• Collaborate with architects, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure projects progress properly
• Collaborate with surveyors to establish installations or reference points, grades, elevations, and other factors that will affect construction
• Monitors project progress and ensures design specifications, safety, and sanitation standards are met
• On completion of a project, inspect, repair, and maintain the structures as needed
• Contribute to the preparation of complete bidding packages, including Technical Specifications, Bill of Quantities, Technical Evaluation Criteria, etc.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Professionalism Teamwork Accountability Adaptability and flexibility Creativity Judgment and decision-making Planning and organising

civil engineering and construction are required, as well as experience in project implementation and supervision.

• Excellent use of AutoCAD (or Revit), Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet are required.
• Familiarity with database management and office technology equipment is required.

The below requirements are desirable assets for this position:

• Experience working in the UN or other international development organization.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Ability to work with tight deadlines

The Republic of Kenya lies across the equator on the East Coast of Africa. It borders Somalia, Ethiopia, and South Sudan to the North, Uganda to the West, the United Republic of Tanzania to the South, and the Indian Ocean to the East. The official languages of the Republic of Kenya are English and Kiswahili.

Kenya has a population of 53 million according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics in 2022. Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city with a population of 5 million people.

The weather in Nairobi is generally very pleasant. February-March ordinarily marks the end of the dry season before the onset of long-rains in April. During the rainy season, heavy showers are common, especially at night. Given the tropical nature of the Nairobi region, humidity during that period tends to be high. Average temperatures during February-March are 27°C (80°F) during the day and 14°C (57°F) or lower for cold nights.

The official currency of the Republic of Kenya is the Kenya Shilling (KES) which is a convertible currency. The use of credit cards to pay for purchases and services in major facilities is fairly common.

Automated Teller Machines (ATM) banking services are situated at major centres across the city. ATMs services are also available on the UN compound.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is the main airport in Kenya and serves as a regional hub for many global airlines. JKIA is 15 Kilometres from Nairobi’s central business district and 25 Kilometres from the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) in Gigiri.

It is UNVs’ responsibility to obtain visas for Kenya. A valid passport, not expiring for at least six months from date of departure is required for an entry visa into Kenya.

Public health

Yellow Fever: A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving in Kenya from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Malaria: Nairobi is generally malaria-free, but it is still recommended to consult your doctor about all malarial prophylaxis if travelling into Kenya and beyond Nairobi, especially if going to the Kenya coast and Lake Victoria region. Adequate safeguards against mosquito bites are recommended, such as insect repellents, bed nets, long trousers, and long-sleeved clothing covering all arms.

Diarrhoeal Diseases: In Kenya, food poisoning and infection from waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, are common - depending on the hygiene standards of the places you visit for food. It is advisable to avoid raw foods, while fruits and vegetables that must be peeled and cleaned properly. Drinking water directly from the municipal taps is not advisable. Please ask for treated bottled water from a certified company with a secured seal.

General Security precautions

Nairobi is a beautiful city with a large expatriate community and modern amenities where people can move around freely in a relatively safe manner. However, it is advisable to take necessary precautions and exercise common sense in light of certain security concerns. It is also advisable to be vigilant, especially in Nairobi where petty crimes like phone and handheld property snatching, theft of valuables, including from in vehicles, are not uncommon.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org