Org. Setting and Reporting

Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN’s five regional commissions, ECA’s mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development. Made up of 54 member States, and playing a dual role as a regional arm of the UN and as a key component of the African institutional landscape, ECA is well positioned to make unique contributions to address the Continent’s development challenges. The strategic objective of ECA is framed around delivering ideas and actions for an empowered, inclusive and transformed Africa in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 of the African Union through its three core functions, namely, its function as a think tank, its convening function and its operational function.


This position is located in the Project Planning and Implementation Unit (PPIU) in the Facilities Management Section, Division of Administration, at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa Ethiopia. The incumbent will be reporting to Head, PPIU or designated official.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Facilities Management Assistant will carry out the following duties:

• Coordinates design, construction, repair, maintenance and installation of conventional buildings, temporary buildings, infrastructure and sites and premises including grounds in the main campus as well facilities in the five sub regional offices situated in Niger, Morocco, Cameroon, Zambia and Rwanda;

• Coordinates, plan and schedule maintenance services of installations, systems and equipment throughout the buildings;

• Plans construction and renovation projects, including conceptual design, identification of design parameters, analysis of functional/special needs and recommendations on alternative solutions;

• Reviews contractors’ invoices and assists with cost recovery as required;

• Prepares scopes of work and technical specifications including engineering drawings, bill of quantity and cost estimates for construction/modification/alteration works taking into consideration the interpretation of building codes for construction, health and fire safety;

• Carries-out technical evaluation of offers and, after contract has been awarded to successful contractor, supervises coordinates and monitors implementation of contract and progress of work to ensure compliance with drawings and specifications and determines justification for technical changes to the contract and prepare progress reports;

• Assists in developing standards for existing and future facilities and guidelines for the on-going management of buildings;

• Liaises with Safety and Security for safety inspections of premises; reports and investigates accidents and recommends correction of safety or fire hazards;

• Assists in identifying common issues and best practices, including disability access, use of renewable energies, space optimization making strategic recommendations and developing a plan to achieve objectives and increase efficiency;

• Drafts responses to the board of auditors, Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) and Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) on audit-related issues and additional information requests on construction and common service subjects/studies as required. Monitors the implementation of internal and external audit recommendations;

• Drafts status reports, briefing papers, updates and ad-hoc reports on status of the various stages of the planning, design, construction, environment, safety-related projects and common-service aspects of the programme as required, communicating findings, recommendations, analysis and concepts to the Chief of Unit/Section as appropriate;

• Reviews proposals and coordinate implementation of for rental/lease in accordance with UMOJA guidance;

• Review proposal for construction of new facilities to ensure conformity with approved space standards, building construction guidelines and legislative policies/recommendations and draft comments/recommendations;

• Assists in the implementation of work plan of the Unit/Section and in managing the resources, and participates in the preparation of biennial budget and spending plan of the Unit/Section;

• Supervises general service staff of the Unit/Section as and when required;

• Coordinates specialized needs for special events or special construction and operational issues;

• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

•Professionalism – Knowledge of the Organization’s rules and regulations as they pertain to building management and of industry codes and standards. Knowledge of the Organization’s financial rules and regulations, as well as budgetary, administrative procedures, policies and directives. Ability to read and interpret architectural floor plans. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

•Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

•Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required. Additional studies in Engineering (Civil Engineering), Architecture or equivalent is highly desirable. Must have passed the United Nations Global General Service Test (GGST) at Headquarters or an equivalent locally-administered test at Offices Away.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressive work experience in facilities management, construction project planning management, building management, engineering, architecture or related areas is required. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in architectural projects. Knowledge of project management and space planning software, preparation of as-built drawings on AutoCAD for various engineering disciplines is also desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Recruitment for this position is done on a local basis, whether or not the candidate is a resident at the duty station. Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services category in the United Nations. External candidates will be responsible for any travel expenses incurred in order to take the GGST examination and, in the event of an employment offer, any cost related to travel and relocation to the duty station on appointment and separation. The candidate will also be responsible to obtain any visas and work permits in order to take up the appointment. If selected, external candidates will be recruited on a local basis and would not be entitled to international benefits. Candidates who are short-listed for this position will be scheduled to sit for the GGST at a later date.

The United Nations is Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.