Somalia: Water and Sanitation Engineer

Oct 20, 2019 | UN Support Office in Somalia
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The United Nations Support Office for AMISOM is a field support operation led by the United Nations Department of Field Support. It is located in Mogadishu and Nairobi in East Africa, focused on support of the African Union Mission in Somalia.

This position is located in Mogadishu, Engineering & Facilities Management-Maintenance Section of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). The Water and Sanitation Engineer reports to the Chief Engineer through Chief Water and Sanitation Unit.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Water and Sanitation Engineer will be responsible for the following duties:

Planning

  • Contribute to overall planning and managing the operation of the Water and Sanitation Engineering Unit, for both current as well as future mission's requirements.
  • Analyze and advise on the planning, design, construction and maintenance of wastewater systems, including collection, treatment and discharge.
  • Conceptualize and develop mission specific water supply program and relevant water safety plans.
  • Prepare Water and Sanitation Unit budget as part of the overall Engineering Budget; Provide inputs to raise requisitions for the procurement of Water and Sanitation Unit budget as part of the overall Engineering Budget.
  • Contribute to analysis and advise on the planning, design, construction and maintenance of water supply systems, including source development, treatment, storage and distribution.
  • Evaluate, review and revise project documents, and analyze design specifications included in project proposals for accuracy, soundness, feasibility and cost.
  • Analyzes and advises on the planning, design, construction and maintenance of water supply systems, including source development, treatment, storage and distribution, as well as borehole drilling works in accordance with planned schedules.
  • Oversees UNSOS Water and wastewater laboratory and carry out, when required, detailed laboratory analysis for physical, chemical and micro-bacteriological quality parameters, preparing reports on the status of the water quality and providing recommendations to the water treatment plant operators;
  • Carry out training to AMISOM and UNSOS personnel on water quality testing and analysis, equipment maintenance, record keeping and process control of water treatment;
  • Travel to front locations and conduct on site water and wastewater quality analysis as a routine support to TCC (troop) and PCC (police contributing country);

Operations

  • Implement DPKO environmental policy and other related guidelines in regard to Water and Sanitation issues and advise on the planning, design and construction of Water, Wastewater Sanitation Infrastructure in line with such guidelines.
  • Implement Department of Peacekeeping Operations' environmental guidelines and advise on the planning, design, construction and maintenance of environmental systems and services and other environmental engineering activities in the mission.
  • Recommend solutions to water, environmental and sanitary engineering problems as they arise.

Administration

  • Develop mission policy and guidelines for general planning, operation and maintenance of the water, environmental and sanitation programs.
  • Develop teamwork and close coordination with mission's engineering units, military engineer officers, and procurement section.
  • May act as a head of the Unit.

Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism

  • Demonstrated ability to serve as technically responsible specialist in the field of water, environmental and sanitary engineering related to peacekeeping or other field operations; high degree of personal initiative and willingness to accept wide responsibilities; ability to provide technical and procedural advice in a broad range of environmental areas; thorough knowledge of operation of water and wastewater laboratory instruments, preparing of reagents, water and wastewater sampling, transporting and analysis of water and waste water samples; ability to deploy to remote locations on short notice; thorough knowledge of water, environmental and sanitation systems.
  • 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.
  • Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas 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

  • Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in civil engineering, water and environment Engineering, water resources engineering or related fields (specialization in water, environmental and sanitation engineering is an advantage) is required.
  • A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  • A first degree in chemical engineering with emphasis on water quality analysis is also an advantage.

Work Experience

  • A minimum of five (05) years of progressively responsible experience in Civil engineering, Water and Environment engineering, water resources engineering (with emphasis on specialization in water, environmental and sanitation engineering) or related fields is required.
  • Experience providing services in the field of Engineering to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization, or in post conflict environment or military operations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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