Technical Services Managers at United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

Background Information - Job-specific

The Technical Services Unit office is based in Nairobi and will require travel to other UNOPS locations as required by the Hub Director.

Objectives and scope of the position

1. The Technical Services Unit (TSU) carries out low risk engineering civil works and building structures. This generally involves concept designs, feasibility studies and low/medium risk detailed designs. High risk building and structure designs are outsourced to specialist design firms and then contract managed by the TSU.
2. The Technical Services Unit (TSU) currently provides design services for Infrastructure Works to Project Managers. We want to continue and further expand technical services to our partners and clients at a wider field of operations.
3. The TSU currently has 13 permanent and 10 retainer personnel including architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, quantity surveyor and CAD draftsmen as well as support personnel.
4. The Technical Services Manager will provide leadership, design management and business development for the TSU.The TSU is a business unit for the Hub and comes under the direction of the Hub Director for East and Southern Africa Hub ( ESAH).

Functional Responsibilities

The Technical Services Manager will be required to undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:-

• Technical Service Management
  • Provide technical leadership, financial control, advice and guidance on all design elements for infrastructure work undertaken by the TSU;
  • Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities and progress to ensure smooth handover of the work without any issues;
  • Advise the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of progress, sustainability and post project requirements such as revisions);
  • Implement approved design work plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the TSU Manager and in agreement with the client;
  • Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life cycle;
  • Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved;
  • Ensure design office capacity and personnel levels are appropriate and maintained in accordance with workload and budget;
  • Lead, motivate, mentor and manage the multidisciplinary TSU team;
  • Ensure safety and security for all personnel and comply with UNDSS standards whilst on mission;
  • Establish and maintain schedules and budgets for the design work;
  • Ensure technical completeness and accuracy of the work and conformance with the clients requirements;
  • Assigns duties to the TSU team, answers questions, monitor progress and finances, and check completed work is acceptable;
  • Maintains close relationship with client throughout development of project;
  • Serve as the spokesperson and representative for the TSU and the HUB on technical matters;
  • Conduct regular performance appraisals of personnel;
  • Develop and implement a Quality Management System for the office;
  • Works closely with the TSU Office Administrator on financial management and oversight of the work including approval of project invoices and ensure the Unit is self-sufficient to operate throughout the year;
  • Perform other special projects as instructed by the Hub Director.
• Partnership Development
  • Maintain close contact with clients and pursue future work;
  • Prepare expressions of interest and proposals (personnel, resourcing, methodology, proposal preparation and coordination, preparation of financial proposals and quotations etc.) that generate additional revenue and partnerships;
  • Define TSU business development strategy for UNOPS that integrates use of the services for increased growth and impact;
  • Drive innovation by developing partnerships and recommending new solutions and ideas across the organization that are designed to meet the future challenges of our operations and project delivery for the Hub;
  • Perform market analysis and identify potential areas of new work for TSU;
  • Support the communication strategy and delivery of information around the TSU’s use of technology solutions for UNOPS;
  • Provide, promote and/or facilitate personnel development opportunities (for technical and non-technical personnel in TSU);

Education

• Master’s degree in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Structural Engineering, or Civil Engineering or related field;
• A first-level university degree in combination with additional 2 years experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced (Masters) university degree;
• Professional Engineering (PE) registration required.

Experience

• At least 5 years relevant professional experience in managing multi-disciplinary teams of architects and engineers or related is required;
• Skills in infrastructure engineering design, international law and in leadership are required;
• Experience working in conflict or post-conflict context is an advantage.

Languages

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.

Competencies

• Strategic Perspective: 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.
• Integrity and Inclusion: 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.
• Leading Self and Others: 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.
• Partnering: 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).
• Results Orientation: 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.
• Agility: 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.
• Solution Focused: 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.
• Effective Communication: 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.

Additional Considerations

• 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.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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 staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
• 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.

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement
  Contract level: IICA 2
• UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.
• UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

East Africa Hub

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the East Africa Hub manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The East Africa sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in South Sudan and a portfolio of engagements managed by the Kenya based East Africa Hub office. This includes primarily transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Somalia, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and several island states.

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