Water and Sanitation Supervisor

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2596 (2021), the 15-member Council decided to extend the Mission’s mandate until 17 March 2022. UNAMA’s current mandate comprises the following priorities: the provision of good offices; support for the organization of future elections; strengthening capacity in the protection and promotion of human rights including the protection of children affected by armed conflict and prevention of child recruitment; support for gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment; the coordination and facilitation of humanitarian assistance; and support for Afghanistan’s development and governance priorities, including the rule of law, transitional justice as an essential component of the ongoing peace process, budget execution and the fight against corruption throughout the country; The Security Council also recognized that the renewed mandate of UNAMA is in support of Afghanistan’s full assumption of leadership and ownership in the security, governance and development areas, consistent with the Transformation Decade (2015– 2024) and with the understandings reached between Afghanistan and the international community in the international conferences in Kabul (2010), London (2010 and 2014), Bonn (2011), Tokyo (2012), and Brussels (2016), and the NATO Summits held in Lisbon (2010), Chicago (2012), Wales (2014), Warsaw (2016) and Brussels (2017), Kabul (2018) and Geneva (2018 & 2020). The United Nations has been involved in the region since 1946 when Afghanistan joined the United Nations as a member state of the Organization.

Under the overall guidance of the Direct Supervisor and Chief Engineering Section, the Water and Sanitation Engineer will perform the following duties:

• Perform all tasks related to water supply and sewerage works installations; • Operation and maintenance of all water production, water treatment and distribution facilities including pumping and water purification equipment; • Operation and Maintenance of wastewater treatment plants • Monitoring on an ongoing basis the quality of water produced chemical and bacteriological analysis; • Ensuring the adequacy of water in the storage tanks and other storage media; • Preparation of technical drawings relating to water supply, drainage sewerage systems; • Producing water consumption and water quality reports; • Provide lists of spare parts for water supply and sewerage works and control panels as well as necessary tools and equipment; • Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor. • When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, including contractors/vendors/suppliers, the incumbent is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal and on-the-job training.

Planning and Organization: ability to establish priorities and to plan and coordinate own work;
Communication: good written and oral skills, including ability to prepare and present concise oral and written engineering reports, briefings, updates and other documentation;
Teamwork: good interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with peers, supervisors, and sub-ordinates in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment, with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Engineering degree with a Major in Water and Sanitary Engineering or Related Technical Qualification with specialization in water treatment;

Water supply and sewerage works; water and sewage treatment plants, pump installation;
Excellent computer skills – AutoCAD 3D / AutoCAD; MS Office; Full working knowledge of English, including excellent writing skills;
Demonstrated capacity to work independently as well as contribute positively in a team environment;

Afghanistan is a hardship duty station with volatile security. Living and working conditions for UN volunteers in UNAMA are similar to the living conditions of all other internationally recruited staff members. UN volunteers are provided with safe accommodation in an extensive compound in Kabul with good infrastructure and amenities. The mission has three compounds in Kabul: Compound Alpha, and UNOCA (UN Operational Complex in Afghanistan) the largest one. UNAMA has three different locations in Kabul, most of the substantive offices, including the SRSG’s are located at the so-called alpha Compound and Palace #7, which is close to the city center, while most of the administrative and technical support offices are located at the UNOCA compound on Jalalabad Road, at some distance from central Kabul. Generally speaking, stringent security measures are in place throughout the country and UN volunteers as other UN staff, are quite limited to duty stations when it comes to movement. Walking is virtually not allowed. The movement is done inside the “green zone” (only) in armored vehicles driven by national qualified UN drivers. The single unit accommodation in UNOCA and other field locations is fully furnished; this includes, furniture, washing machine dryer, hot plate, iron and iron stand, microwave, plates, cups, spoons, cooking utensils, electric kettle. One bedsheet and pillow cover are provided. The monthly charge for UN-provided accommodation is USD 300 which is deducted from the monthly Volunteer Living Allowance. Inside the UNOCA compound are two cafeterias, a restaurant, a Supermarket, and 3 small shops which provide a variety of imported canned and frozen food on offer. There is a Fresh vegetable market daily. There is also a social center, a gym hall, and a small library with books and DVDs, run by the welfare Office, within the same compound. UNOCA has a new minimarket where basic goods can be bought also. There are also a number of UN-cleared supermarkets in Kabul, in Jalalabad, and in Mazar-I-Sharif. The Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own towel and other personal accessories including toiletries and medicines which they may not find easily within the supermarkets inside the UNOCA Compound. Some degree of medical service is provided in all UNAMA duty stations. There is a UN clinic in UNAMA/UNOCA complex and access is granted in Kabul to other private international clinics (when and if needed). Contact with and outreach to the local community is usually limited. As mentioned, many places are off-limits and the choice of recreational facilities is very poor.

For all these reasons, bringing a stock of books, DVDs/VCDs, computer games, etc., is highly recommended. Summer in Afghanistan is hot and dry but winter is the opposite – cold and wet. Therefore, both summer and winter clothing and comfortable boots with insulation are necessary. Afghanistan is a unique country and UNAMA is a unique UN mission. It requires more stamina, commitment, and flexibility than elsewhere to make life comfortable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in hazardous and harsh conditions involving physical hardship and little comfort is essential. https://www.unv.org/