Job: Archive Specialist

Location: Juba 
Deadline: Monday, 16 September 2013 

Description

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 -South Sudan

South Sudan

The UNOPS South Sudan office helps a wide range of local and international partners improve the lives of the South Sudanese people by implementing infrastructure and procurement projects. All UNOPS operations have an increasing emphasis on developing national capacities and considering gender, environmental and community concerns. UNOPS is working in a range of sectors in South Sudan including: transport, education, health, post-conflict stabilization and emergency response. Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services(UNOPS) – South Sudan Operations Centre (SSOC) is based in Juba, Republic ofSouth Sudan. Current SSOC operations are largely focused on assisting partnerswith the implementation of physical infrastructure projects includingdesigning, constructing and rehabilitating roads and bridges, schools, clinicsand Government and Ministry offices. SSOC also procures goods and services fora number of partners and provides logistics and operational support toinstitutions in South Sudan with the overall objective to support partners inachieving their programme goals.

UNOPS–SSOC works with various partnersincluding the government ministries of South Sudan, donors, and United Nationsagencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UnitedNations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund(UNICEF), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), theEuropean Union (EU), the Department for International Development (DFID) andthe World Bank.

CelebratingSouth Sudan's independence, the Government of Norway committed in July 2011 toassist the Government of the Republic of South Sudan with the construction of aNational Archives. This was done in recognition of the long road to freedom,the special relation between Norway and South Sudan, and the importance ofpreserving South Sudan's national heritage and identity.

Everygovernment needs an efficient archive service in order to preserve records andto provide public access to governance. Because of this central role ofarchives in the building of a democratic state, South Sudan has started earlyon to work on the establishment of this institution.

In November 2012, UNOPS in cooperation withUNESCO, started the establishment of the National Archives in South Sudan,funded by the Government of Norway. Within this project, UNOPS is responsiblefor the design and construction of the National Archive premises in Juba, inclose coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager, the incumbent is required to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

In the context of the establishment of the National Archives in South Sudan, the Specialist will:

• Coordinate the design and construction process for the National Archives building with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Housing and Physical Infrastructure, the Embassy of Norway and their technical advisor at the Norway National Archives, and any other partners involved in the project;

• Advise the Project Board, and in particular the Embassy of Norway and their technical advisor, on the design process and provide all necessary information to allow planning for the construction phase; and ensure that all possible amendments are agreed upon with the national counterparts;
• Coordinate with the design consultants and technical experts for the finalization of the detailed design and preparation of Bill of Quantity. In particular:

o Follow up on the different stages of the preparation of the design and specifications,

o Facilitate travel and work of the designers in Juba, South Sudan, and ensure their access to the construction site in coordination with the relevant government entities,

o Ensure that both the designers and reviewers have access to all relevant documentation,

o Coordinate with technical experts for their reviews of the design,

o Compile all technical comments and ensure that designers include these,

o Hold meetings with the designers when required.

• Review the detailed design from an archival function perspective, and provide any necessary guidance and feedback to the designers and technical review team. In particular:

o Ensure that the design and layout of the building is fully in line with the archive requirements laid out in the design brief,

o Review all design drawings, site development plans and landscaping proposals with a view of ensuring the functionality of the National Archives as a research centre and place to safeguard valuable historic records,

o Coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the National Archives staff and experts working on the archival records in Juba to ensure the archive building is designed in line with the requirements of the collection (type and size of records, state of conservation) and the archives team (number of staff, roles and responsibilities);

• Prepare and follow up on procurement process and the ITB for contractor for the National Archives building. Coordinate the ITB review process and prepare all reports and contract documents;

• Obtain all necessary letters and permits for the allocation of land, and for the construction of the archives building through the Office of the President and the relevant ministries at national and state levels;

• Prepare the detailed project proposal for the next phase of the project, covering the construction of the National Archives building;

• Advise UNOPS on any other aspects related to the establishment of a National Archive, and assist in the identification and selection of technical experts as required;

• Participate in Project Board meetings and present the status of the process to the Project Board as necessary;

• Ensure the visibility of the project, both within South Sudan and internationally;

• Assist the UNOPS-SSOC Programme Management with any other relevant activities related to this project.

Competencies

• Professionalism, integrity and commitment to project demands;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Accountability;
• Planning and Organizing;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Aptitude for political sensitivities;
• Team player.

Education

• Master's Degree in Development studies, Cultural Studies, Heritage Conservation, Architecture or other relevant fields. (A Bachelor's Degree in combination with additional years of relevant work experience may substitute for the requirement of a Master's Degree)
• Certification in PRINCE2 project management methodology.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of full time relevant professional experience; (Additional 2 years of relevant work experience, in combination with a relevant Bachelor's degree, can substitute for the requirement for Master degree);

• The candidate must be thoroughly proficient in written and spoken English.
• Competent in the use of all commonly-used computer software – spreadsheets and other computer programmes.
• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS' procedures an advantage.
• Certification in Prince2 or Project Management Professional (PMP) methodologies desirable.
• Experience of working in South Sudan is an asset.
• Experience working with cultural institutions (archives, museums) is desirable.
• Experience of working with UNOPS is desirable.

Languages

• The candidate must be thoroughly proficient in written and spoken English.

Certifications

• Certification in Prince2 or Project Management Professional (PMP) methodologies desirable.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type:International Individual Contractor Agreement; Contract level: IICA-2 Contract duration:Up to 4 years 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.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
• For any queries on your recruitment please email recruitmentssoc@unops.org . Please do not submit an application to this email! Applications will only be accepted on GPRS;
• UNOPS reserves the right to appointment a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.

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