UNV Electrical Technical Assistant

Job ID/Title :UNV Electrical Technical Assistant
Brand :UNDP    
Application Deadline :28-May-12
Duty Station :     Gaza
Languages Required :Arabic, English,
Starting Date :(date when the selected canditate is expected to start)    
Duration of Initial Contract :     Twelve months (renewable)

Background:
The United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) jointly with the United Nations Development Programme UNDP are seeking two experienced National United Nations Volunteer Specialist “Electrical Technical Assistant” for duration of twelve months, renewable based in Gaza.
 
This post is a United Nations Volunteers assignment and based on the values of free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity, which are the foundations of volunteerism. Volunteering brings benefit to the individual volunteer. It makes important contributions, economically, as well as socially. It contributes to creating social cohesion and capital, through helping to build trust and reciprocity among citizens.
 
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development, and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.
In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UNV volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.
 
In all assignments, UNV volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UNV volunteers even more rewarding and productive.
 
 
 The services of the Electrical Technical Assistant will be invested to assist the infrastructure supervision team in the implementation of different electricity-related projects. She/He will liaise between the site engineer and office engineer in terms of payments review, reporting, collecting data, inspection and other related activities. Two engineers are required on an urgent basis to enhance the unit’s delivery and will be deeply involved in UNDP daily activities where the choice of candidate is crucial in terms of secrecy and efficiency within the Gaza Context. The two volunteers will engage with the UNDP/PAPP technical team in the development process of the Palestinian society.
 
 
 Under the guidance of the UNDP project manager and site engineer in Gaza, the Electrical Technical Assistant will perform functions and duties related to the unit. He/she will contribute to carrying out the daily office activities in connection with projects’ implementation on site in close collaboration with the infrastructure team to deliver the designated tasks for the unit in a timely manner with high quality, accuracy and consistency of work.
Description of Responsibilities:
Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, the national UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
 
-Assist the infrastructure team to perform daily supervision tasks for the construction’s electricity-related activities to ensure that works are implemented in a timely manner and proper channel of information is maintained between the site and office;
-Support the site engineer and office engineer in accomplishing their daily tasks;
-Assist in reviewing and verifying the electricity documents of the project (design, bill of quantities, drawings and technical specifications) to ensure their accuracy and applicability;
-Assist in checking and verifying materials and equipment submittals for their compliance with the design and specifications;
-Assist the infrastructure unit team in collecting data and preparing reports as well as payment certificates;
-Maintain a proper filing system for all site-related documents that is responsive to all the requirements needed for successful audit missions;
-Raise public awareness in relation to his/her scope of work; participate in meetings with civil society concerning the electrical-related projects and their impact on the Palestinians in Gaza;
-Ensure all the requirements for proper reporting to the donors are secured from the site as directed by the office engineer;
-Any other related tasks as may be required.
 
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are expected to:
 
-Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
-Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; network and build relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals, and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives; reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
-Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; initiate and/or participate in local volunteer groups, including assisting them in submitting stories and experiences to the World Volunteer Web site;
-Promote or advise local groups on the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible;
-Encourage, mobilize and support co-workers, fellow UN Volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in peace and development activities on a voluntary basis;
-Discuss with supervisors how volunteerism for peace and development can be mainstreamed in the assignment and integrate activities promoting volunteerism for peace and development into work plans;
-Assist with the UNV “buddy programme” for newly arriving UN Volunteers.
 
Results/Expected Outputs:
 
-Support to the Infrastructure Unit’s supervisory activities is maintained for all the assigned projects;
-Logistical support to the Infrastructure Unit for all the sites served is ensured;
-Coordination needed for the implementation among the Gaza office’s various units as well as the sites is ensured;
-A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Competencies :
-Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
-Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations;
-Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment;
-Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
-Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
-Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
-Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;
-Technological Awareness - Fully proficient computer skills, particularly in using relevant technology and its application to archives, library, documentation and record keeping.
-Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.
 
Living Conditions:
 
As this is a national UNV assignment, the incumbent will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.
Qualifications :

The UN Volunteer must be a dynamic, multi-functional person, who wants to contribute to development in the oPt through promotion of volunteerism. S/he will support the infrastructure unit with professionalism, dedication and client orientation. The following qualifications are required:
-B.Sc. Degree in electrical or mechatronics engineering from an accredited university;
-Minimum 2 years of relevant practical experience;
-Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, AutoCAD, etc.) in addition to engineering programmes;
-Excellent communication and writing skills;
-Fluency in English and Arabic;
-Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for sustainable and durable development, and the UN System.
Conditions of Service:
 
A 12-month contract, renewable (depending on availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance); monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to US$ 870 (rate may change based on local cost of living, with due notice given); settling-in-grant (only if current residence outside of duty station); life, health, and permanent disability insurance; resettlement allowance upon satisfactory of service and assignment.
Interested and qualified candidates are kindly requested to apply on-line no later than May 28th   2012

UNV Programme
UNDP/PAPP Jerusalem
Ref: UNV Electrical Technical Assistant
 
 
Equal Employment Opportunity prohibits discrimination against anyone. It attempts to ensure that all applicants, males-females and all races have a fair opportunity in a hiring process, in competing for promotions, and equal access to training/professional development opportunities.