Skills Trainer on Mud Block Production at UN-Habitat

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Lead and in close coordination with project team members, the incumbent will be responsible for:

• Developing training materials, including manuals, handouts, checklists, and visual/pictorial guides tailored to the educational level of trainees;
• Preparing a detailed training plan and schedule, outlining both theoretical and practical sessions;
• Delivering theoretical training on earthen construction, including soil science, stabilization techniques (cement, lime, and locally available materials), and quality standards;
• Conducting hands-on training on the full mud block production process, including soil selection, preparation, mixing, pressing, drying, and curing;
• Supervising trainees in the safe and effective use of equipment and production processes;
• Demonstrating preparation and application of mortar/slurry and ensuring correct consistency and composition;
• Providing practical training on masonry techniques, including foundation preparation, alignment, bonding patterns, and use of construction tools;
• Supervising trainees in the construction of a pilot structure or test section;
• Training participants on field-based quality control methods and conducting basic tests (e.g., drop test, water absorption, density checks);
• Establishing procedures for compressive strength testing of cured blocks;
• Ensuring quality assurance during construction, including alignment, leveling, and structural integrity;
• Developing and administering competency assessments and supporting certification processes in coordination with relevant stakeholders;
• Providing ongoing mentoring and technical guidance to trainees during production and construction;
• Performing other related duties as required to support project implementation.

Qualifications/special skills

• A Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Building Construction Technology, Civil Engineering, or a related field is required. Additional training in soil science and mud block production is highly desirable.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in earthen construction, including mud block production and masonry techniques, is required. Demonstrated experience in soil classification, stabilization methods, and the use of locally available materials for construction is required
• Proven experience delivering hands-on training to non-technical or community-based participants is required.
• Practical experience in quality control and testing of earthen building materials is desirable