Fire Specialist - Retainer

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-10 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 Specialist-10 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

Background Information – Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMC)

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements. The KEMC sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and South Africa. This includes transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and island states.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Technical Services Unit (TSU) engages in multidisciplinary design, assessments and advisory work, and manages relationships with other technical stakeholders such as specialist design firms for high risk structures.

The Technical Services Unit (TSU) currently provides design services for infrastructure works for Project Managers. Recently the team has expanded its offering to include consulting services such as assessments, feasibility studies and advisory services on a wide range of infrastructure types.

The TSU currently has 17 permanent and 60+ retainer personnel including architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, quantity surveyors, GIS and specialist infrastructure advisors (for dams, ICT, safeguards, biomedical works inter alia) and CAD technicians as well as support personnel. Current projects are underway / imminent in Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique and Cameroon.

The TSU is a business unit for the Multi-Country office and comes under the direction of the Director for East and Southern Africa office (KEMC).

The Fire Consultant (retainer) shall be called on on an ad-hoc basis to support various projects in assessments by providing a mix of design, analysis and advice.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Technical Services Unit Manager in Nairobi, Kenya the Fire Consultant will give his/her technical expertise as required to manage and coordinate any analysis and or designs assigned, cost estimates for relevant works, conduct assessments and or monitor site works, undertake commissioning and provide high quality related documentation. He or she will be responsible for ensuring high quality and on time delivery. The projects may be in international locations.

Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following substantive tasks. The tasks would involve the following but not limited to:

• Conduct site assessments
• Recommend sustainable and cost effective solutions
• Advise on code requirements
• Liaise with local fire authorities, users and insurers where required to establish key design parameters
• Undertake qualitative design reviews of proposed concepts with the multidisciplinary designers
• Develop fire strategies that address the requirements of projects in respect of life safety, property protection, business continuity and protection to the environment. Strategies will demonstrate compliance with local or international fire codes and will serve to guide the design team on the project. For other projects it may be necessary to provide a rational fire solution to meet the fire life safety objectives.
• Prepare high quality documentation to demonstrate compliance (for example drawings for the local authority and or layout drawings and reports to accompany design and bidding documentation) to be used by contractors to supply and install fire protection and safety equipment and systems
• Monitor the construction, installation and commissioning of fire, life and safety measures and firefighting systems.
• Provide technical support in tender evaluations of fire-related installations
• Review the fire strategies of projects;
• The consultant will work from home, providing all engineering software required and be prepared to travel to any site in or around the countries under KEMC as required and as UNDSS permits.

An agreed task order including the scope, deliverables and the maximum time duration will be agreed upon by the Technical Services Unit and the Fire Consultant prior to commencement of each and every assignment. He/she is responsible for ensuring timeous delivery of fire related services as defined in the task order

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education

Minimum Qualification.

• A Masters degree in Engineering, Architecture or other related discipline from an accredited university is required.
• A combination of a Bachelor's degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

b. Professional registration- Full member status registration with a recognized professional built environment body will be an added advantage. - Registration with a fire-specific professional body will be an added advantage.

c. Work Experience

• A minimum of 5 years hands-on experience working with fire fighting installations and building layouts including mechanical & electrical works in a production environment such as construction, mining and manufacturing is required.
• Working with the following fire standards: local, NFPA, IBC, BSEN will be an added advantage.

d. Language Requirements

• Full working knowledge of English is required.
• Knowledge of a second UN or regional working language is an asset.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) 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.

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

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement Contract level: ICS 10/ LICA 10 Contract duration: One year renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

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 Information

• 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.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
• 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
• For retainer contracts, you must complete the Mandatory Courses in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• 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.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits. This position is based in a family duty station This is a local post for UNOPS internal personnel who are Kenyan Nationals and have the requisite UNOPS experience. As such, it is only open to Kenyan nationals or applicants with valid residence permits.