Technical Expert – Mechatronics, Automation & CNC

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Tunis, the North Africa Multi-Country Office (NAMCO) oversees operations in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and Morocco, delivering project management, financial services, infrastructure, procurement, and human resources support. With active project offices in Morocco and Libya, NAMCO works in close partnership with governments, NGOs, and international financial institutions to advance socio-economic development across the region. NAMCO’s portfolio spans health, justice, climate action, and environmental preservation, while promoting youth and women's empowerment through improved access to education and employment opportunities. Key initiatives include: supplying digital learning materials for Tunisian schools (World Bank), supporting Tunisia’s national development plan (AICS), enhancing maritime border management (EU), delivering high-tech health equipment to 75 hospitals (World Bank), supporting resilient agriculture in Libya (IFAD), and advancing vocational training in Morocco (KOICA). NAMCO’s work contributes directly to inclusive growth and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This position will provide technical expertise in mechatronics, automation, and CNC technologies for vocational training and educational projects in Egypt and Morocco . The role involves adapting existing policies and approaches to meet the specific needs of the projects, ensuring the effective implementation of modern industrial technologies in the local context. The Technical Expert will work closely with local partners, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders to enhance the quality and relevance of technical education programs.

The Technical Expert – Mechatronics, Automation & CNC will manage projects independently within existing frameworks, guidelines, and rules, providing authoritative advice on the application of established policies and procedures. The role involves adapting existing policies, approaches, and models to meet emerging client or project needs, ensuring the successful integration of advanced technologies into vocational training programs.

1. Technical Expertise and Project Management

• Manage projects related to the implementation of mechatronics, automation, and CNC technologies in vocational training centers.

• Provide authoritative advice on the application of established policies and procedures related to technical education and industrial automation.

• Adapt existing policies, approaches, and models to meet the specific needs of vocational training projects in Egypt and Morocco

• Supervise a team of support staff and/or junior professional personnel involved in project implementation.

• Solve complex technical problems by navigating and applying existing rules and industry best practices.

• Manage a specific portfolio of work, including the procurement, installation, and maintenance of CNC equipment and automation systems.

• Interact with clients, educational institutions, and industry partners to maintain relationships and ensure reliable service delivery.

2. Curriculum Development and Training

• Develop and adapt training curricula for mechatronics, automation, and CNC technologies, ensuring alignment with industry standards and local needs.

• Conduct training sessions for instructors and students on the operation, maintenance, and programming of CNC machines and automation systems.

• Provide technical guidance and support to educational institutions in the establishment and upgrading of mechatronics and automation labs.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and recommend improvements to enhance learning outcomes.

3. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with local industry partners, educational institutions, and government agencies.

• Facilitate collaboration between industry and academia to ensure the relevance of vocational training programs to the needs of the labor market.

• Organize workshops, seminars, and conferences to promote the adoption of advanced technologies in vocational training.

• Represent UNOPS in technical meetings and conferences related to mechatronics, automation, and CNC technologies

Required

-Bachelors degree or equivalent in Mechatronics Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with 7 years of relevant experience.

-Engineering degree or Masters degree or equivalent in a related fields with 5 years of relevant experience is required

Required

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in mechatronics, automation, and CNC technologies, including project management, curriculum development, and technical training is required.

• Experience in vocational training and technical education programs is required

• Experience in the Middle East and North Africa region is required

Desired

• Experience working in international development projects or with UN agencies is desired.

• Experience in stakeholder engagement and partnership development is desired.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
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• 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.