Job: Technical Officer

Location: Vavuniya
Deadline: Wednesday, 13 November 2013
UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

UNOPS provides services in sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement and sustainable project management, with projects ranging from building schools, roads, bridges and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel.

By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel annually and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of regional and country offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Background Information - Job-specific

EU has provided funds to implement the Support to District DevelopmentProgramme (EU-SDDP) in selected Districts in North and East Sri Lanka. The overall objective of this programme is to contribute to and capacitate the transition from post-conflict relief to reconstruction and development bysupporting selected districts in North and East Sri Lanka, through poverty reduction and provision of basic infrastructure and services for vulnerable populations, support to local economic development, and strengthening of local governance.

Under this programme, UNOPS will undertake three flagship projects under the Support to Social Infrastructure Development in Batticaloa, Mannar and Vavuniya. One of the projects is the Storm Drainage which will involve the construction of storm drainage system in 5 catchment basins in Vavuniya Township and the implementation of social infrastructure support to build the capacities of local authorities. These projects will be implemented in three (3) years with the full implementation commenced in July 2013.

The Technical Officer shall assist the Project Engineer in the execution of the construction actvities of the storm drainage project in Vavuniya, specifiically in the preparation of daily work schedules and determine the material usage for the specific works. He will work under the guidance and supervision of the Project Engineer of the Vavuniya FlagshipOffice.

Functional Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Technical Officer are as follows:

Field Survey:

• Assist the survey team determine the topography of a project site;

• Collect technical data/samples on soil, local materials, water quantity, water samples, flood marks of the target sites. This activity includes the construction of permanent and semi-permanent bench marks.

Topographic Maps:

• Plot the field survey with the required contour lines and profiles of specific alignments including relevant field data such as flood marks and location of trees/buildings/properties.

Quantity Estimates:

• Prepare the BOQs for each designed projects and corresponding cost estimates based on current market prices. This activity also requires the establishment of a data base on market prices of construction materials, labour cost, equipment rentals, equipment purchases, hand tools, etc. in the localities.

Supervision and Site Management:

• Preparation of daily work shedule;

• Preparation of daily material usage;

• Maintain regular work records and attandance records.

Competencies

UNOPS Core Values/Competencies:

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Accountability
• Planning and Organizing
• Results orientation
• Communications skills
• Teamwork skills
• Client orientation
• Technological awareness

Functional Competencies:

• Good knowledge and understanding of the Storm Drainage System and construction work in general
• Good knowledge and understanding related to the construction works
• Ability to focus on his/her work, handle large volume of work and able to meet deadlines
• Ability to focus on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Ability to work with people of all races, religions, ethnicities and gender
• Highly motivated and a good motivator of others, solutions driven with a 'can do' attitude
• Excellent inter-personal skills
• Excellent communicator, both verbally and written
• Ability to write reports
• Use of computer with word/excel software is required
• Ability to take full responsibility and accountability on assigned tasks, deliverables
• Highly committed and prepared to work in pressurized environment
• Ability to work well in a team
• Ability to manage own workload, work under pressure and cooperate with other team members

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education and Experience:

• Secondary education with Diploma or Certificate with at least 4 years of relevant work experience; or
• Bachelor's degree with at least 2 years of relevant work experience.

• More than 02 years of experience in general construction works, community organizing, community development works
• Minimum 02 years of experience in direct construction
• Minimum 02 years of experience of working and relating with local authority officials and staff implement to implement development projects particularly in the field of solid waste management
• Experience in administrative and procurement works for SWM facility operations support and related activities
• Experience in administrative and procurement works for construction and related activities
• Experience in preparing monitoring reports, progress/accomplishment reports
• Previous working experience in conflict affected areas
• Experience working with UN agencies and other international organization will be an advantage
• Minimum 02 years of experience of working and relating with local authority officials and staff to implement development projects
• Experience in computer operations: MS office and AutoCAD

Languages: Fluency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of the local languages (Tamil and/or Sinhala) is desirable.

CertificationsTraining certificates related to Environmental Management Systems/Occupational Health and Safety and/or other relevant areas will be an advantage; NDT/NCT in civil engineering field or environmental management is an advantage; Training certificate on quality control practices and field/laboratory testing procedures will be an advantage;Certificate in standard computer application including MS office and AutoCAD desirable. Contract type, level and duration Contract type: Local ICA Support Contract level: L-ICA 3 Contract duration: One year renewable For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICAs.aspx Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• 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.
• This post is open only to nationals of Sri Lanka.
• For staff positions 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.

More Info and Application