Technical Advisor - Environmental (Built Environment) (Retainer Contract)
Lead the built environment portfolio and develop strategic partnerships in Pakistan.
Overview
Lead the built environment portfolio and develop strategic partnerships in Pakistan.
You have:
- A Masters degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, or a related field.
- A Bachelor's degree with additional 2 years of work experience may substitute for the Masters Degree requirement.
- A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in built environment project management and/or technical.
- Familiarity with government UN and donor officials is required.
- 2 years in strategic leadership or strategic advisory role is highly desired.
- Experience working in developing/underdeveloped countries (in an international environment is highly desired).
- Experience working in and providing creative technical solutions for post-conflict and/or post-disaster environments is an asset.
- Strong communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills required.
Contract
This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.
Background Information - Pakistan
UNOPS Pakistan (Project Office) is part of the Sri Lanka Multi Country Office in the Asia Region. UNOPS commenced operations in Pakistan in 1999 and significantly upscaled activities from 2005 onwards to support populations affected by and vulnerable to earthquakes. In 2010, UNOPS opened a permanent office in Islamabad to support the Government of Pakistan and other partners to undertake humanitarian and reconstruction services, following the most devastating floods in the nation’s history.
UNOPS Pakistan has been implementing projects in the areas of early recovery and reconstruction of community infrastructure, project management, monitoring and evaluation, community development, fund management, human resources management, procurement, and infrastructure design and implementation. Supported strategically by a regional operational hub and UNOPS headquarters in Copenhagen and within the overarching framework of the ONE UN Programme, UNOPS Pakistan continues to deliver projects across the country under its core delivery practices of sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement, and sustainable project management.
With a steady growth of the project portfolio in recent years and a new strategic direction, UNOPS Pakistan is looking to strengthen the relationships with existing partners as well as build new alliances and diversify the portfolio of work, in line with UNOPS strategic and Asia regional objectives.
Background Information - Job-specific
The Technical Advisor - Environmental (Built Environment) is responsible for senior level representation and management of our built environment portfolio in Pakistan. Post floods 2022, there is an increasing demand for global expertise into the flood recovery plans, particularly in relation to housing and the built environment. Through this position, UNOPS intends to continue its strong positioning, leadership and representation in the built environment work in Pakistan. This position would also oversee our portfolio of projects for the built environment.
Functional Responsibilities
Strategic Partnerships and cooperation development in the Built Environment in Pakistan
- Lead the strengthening of strategic partnerships with key stakeholder groups including Donor agencies, Government, UN Agencies, Private Sector, and Civil Society in relation to the built environment sector;
- Lead discussions on joint planning and implementation particularly for the housing sector post floods;
- Contribute into wider organisational discussions in the country, MCO, region and HQ level with regards our positioning in the built environment sector;
- Mobilise resources, in collaboration with the CM and partnership team, for the built environment sector;
- Support in positioning UNOPS at the Regional and global level;
- Represent UNOPS in key technical fora and events, including at a senior level.
Portfolio Management
- Lead portfolio and project management of built environment projects in Pakistan;
- Recruit and manage personnel for built environment projects in Pakistan;
- Provide guidance and mentoring in support of building knowledge, skills, and competencies at the country level;
- Be responsive to ad hoc requests for technical guidance on issues related to housing, infrastructure, supply chains and built environment, with a technical and strategic approach;
- Provide strategic activities with operational support, presenting technical solutions and innovative ideas to improve infrastructure across the global agendas.
Provision of Global Expertise
- Contribute to data and information collection in relation to built environment modalities and tools, and the development of guidance materials;
- Contribute to the development and piloting of frameworks, tools, and methodologies for the built environment, with a focus on infrastructure systems in line with UNOPS corporate mandate AR levels;
- Support the development of manuals and other capacity-building tools for increasing knowledge and developing an applied understanding of the built environment;
- Contribute to the development of awareness material including case studies, that promote UNOPS experience and knowledge internally and externally across UN Agencies and the Private Sector;
- Prepare and/or contribute to reports and other communication including Newsletters and Bulletins to promote the country office’s achievements;
- Support other AR strategic initiatives, and ensure consistency in approach across such initiatives.
- Support the building and management of a pool of consultants / retainers to support in built environment related support to Multi-Country Offices and Country Offices/COs.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education: - A Masters degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, or a related field. - A Bachelor's degree with additional 2 years of work experience may substitute for the Masters Degree requirement.
Experience: - A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in built environment project management and/or technical; - Familiarity with government UN and donor officials is required;; - 2 years in strategic leadership or strategic advisory role is highly desired; - Experience working in developing /underdeveloped countries ( in an international environment is highly desired); - Experience working in and providing creative technical solutions for post-conflict and/or post-disaster environments is an asset; - Strong communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills required.
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.
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
Contract type: ICA
Contract level: I-ICA 3(ICS 12)
Contract duration: Retainer contract , initially for 1 year
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 UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
- UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
- Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
- We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Terms and Conditions
- For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
- For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
- All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and 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 personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
Potential interview questions
| How have you managed a project in a post-disaster environment and what challenges did you face? | This question assesses your experience and problem-solving skills in a relevant context. | Detail a specific project, the challenges faced, and the solutions you implemented. |
| Can you describe a time when you successfully engaged stakeholders in a partnership initiative? | The interviewer wants to understand your ability to create and maintain professional relationships. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you use to mobilize resources for projects? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you ensure that project goals align with donor expectations? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe an innovative solution you provided for a challenging project context. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |