Job Description

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Background Information - Job-specific

On 24 February 2022, the military of the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, with strikes across the territory of Ukraine. Since then, Russia’s invasion imposes a severe humanitarian and socio-economic toll, global energy and food crisis, large-scale destruction of the country's infrastructure, and disruptions in the provision of critical services and degradation of social fabrics and communities’ ties, triggering one of the world’s most significant forced displacements.

Severe attacks on energy and critical infrastructure facilities leave millions of people without electricity, water or heating supply, struggling to access water, food, health services, materials to repair homes, among others. The continued attacks cause substantial damage to the country’s economy and agricultural production, and also affect the poorest countries worldwide.

UNOPS support to partners spans the humanitarian-development nexus from emergency response to building back better, across the housing, health, education, transport, energy and mine action sectors, through infrastructure, procurement and technical assistance / project management interventions, with the ultimate aim of supporting the country on its EU accession and in its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

UNOPS implements the project REPOWER which envisages procurement of heating-related equipment, including but not limited to block-modular boiler houses, boilers, transformers, cogeneration units, frequency converters, electric motors, pipes and shut-off valves for several cities within Ukraine. The project is funded by the World Bank. One of the project tasks is to check the quality of the procured equipment to the technical specifications upon delivery and also to monitor the process of their production/assembling at the manufacturer’s facilities, all in Ukraine, and for this task UNOPS requires the services of technical expert.

Functional Responsibilities

This is a local position, it is therefore open to Nationals of Ukraine and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.

The expert(s) shall be responsible for the technology-specific examination of the procured equipment to establish whether it fully meets the specifications/bid offer and is fit for the purpose. The expert shall plan the inspections to the manufacturing facilities, implement them together with the UNOPS project team, prepare technical reports based on the inspections and provide advice for removing any identified incompliance or deficiencies until acceptance of the equipment by the end user. The expert shall also attend the deliveries to facilitate the formal equipment receipt by UNOPS.

Summary of key responsibilities:

1.Quality Management:

analyze the technical specifications for the equipment, including the relevant Ukrainian, international technical standards and quality standards referred to in the specifications,
analyze the technical characteristics of the equipment in the contracted suppliers’ bid offers, including schematic diagrams and thermomechanical circuit diagrams,
take part in periodic inspections to the suppliers and recipients’ facilities together with the UNOPS representative. The key tasks for the inspections will be: 1) check progress of the equipment manufacturing/assembling, 2) to check compliance of the key equipment with the supplier’s bid offer, schematic diagram, thermomechanical circuit diagram, and the specifications and 3) to check recipients’ sites (e.g. foundation, distribution networks etc.) for compliance with the requirements for equipment delivery and installation,
prepare and submit to UNOPS the technical reports based on the inspections including any identified discrepancies and provide advice for corrective measures if/as applicable,
attend the manufacturers’ “cold tests” and submit reports to UNOPS based on their completion,
assist the PM with checking completeness and correctness of the technical documentation package provided by the supplier to the recipient at the equipment delivery,
attend the equipment deliveries together with UNOPS representatives to check compliance of the equipment to the specifications and to the contracted suppliers’ bid offers,
provide technical advice to UNOPS on the acceptance of the equipment in case of any deficiencies identified upon deliveries,
act as a point of contact for resolving quality-related issues and concerns raised by stakeholders upon deliveries or in the process of equipment installation in close collaboration with UNOPS PM.

2. Information and Knowledge Management

Train and educate project personnel on quality standards and inspection techniques.
Promote a culture of quality within the organization.
Communicate quality control findings, reports, and recommendations to relevant stakeholders and UNOPS Project team

3. Business Development

Support/ provide technical advice to UNOPS Partnerships teams in projects development initiatives, especially related to procurement of relevant equipment
Any additional task that may be assigned by the Supervisor

All tasks will be agreed with the Supervisor. The Supervisor will provide timelines for each activity and time tolerance (if applicable).

The working language for the expert will be Ukrainian. UNOPS will provide the required translations to/from English, if and as necessary.

The review of the technical documentation can be done from home. All duty trips to the inspections and cold tests will occur within the territory of Ukraine. The selected expert needs to have the possibility for non-restricted traveling across Ukraine in conditions of martial law as required by the project schedule.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

Master’s degree or Post graduate studies and/or certification preferably in quality management, technical compliance audit is required
A Bachelor degree in a relevant technical domain with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree.

Work experience

Minimum five (5) years of experience related to testing / quality control of heating equipment, evaluating compliance of the equipment with codes, standards, regulations and technical requirements
Proficiency in the existing relevant Ukrainian and EU technical standards and legal requirements to the heating equipment
In-depth understanding of the technical documentation for heating equipment and its manufacturing/assembly process
Previous experience working with international organizations or in large-scale projects would be an asset

Language requirements

Fluent in Ukrainian (read, write and speak) is required
Working Knowledge of English (read, write and speak) would be an asset.

Certification/registration from the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Housing Ukraine would be an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

This is a local position, it is therefore open to Nationals of Ukraine and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.

Contract type: retainer
Contract level: Local ICA Support - LICA 10 (ICS 10)
Contract duration: 1 year contract with up to 100 working days. This is not a full-time job, this is consultancy and you will be paid for days you are asked to work, but no more than mentioned. Possibility of extension subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.