UNGeneral Service
ENGINEERING ASSISTANT
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View & Apply Preparation GuideAdded: 29 April 2026
Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) provides critical Supply Chain, Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies services and Training to all peacekeeping and special political missions around the world. This position is located in the Environmental Technical Support Unit, Planning and Sourcing Support Section, Supply Chain Service, based in the United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) in Brindisi. The incumbent will report to the Chief Environmental Technical Support Unit (ETSU).
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Chief ETSU, and in line with the established United Nations Rules and Procedures, the incumbent is responsible for supporting the implementation of the Environment Strategy for Peace Operations – Water and Wastewater Pillar and activities pertaining to technical assistance. In fulfilling some of the duties and responsibilities, the incumbent may be required to travel to remote locations in field missions. Within delegated authority, the Engineering Assistant (Water and Waste Water) will be responsible for the following duties: • Project Management and Site Supervision: as a DMS appointed member of Project management team /Project manager o Supervises and coordinates activities concerning planning and scheduling of projects for construction, repair, and installation of water and wastewater infrastructure, premises and ground works. o Supervises and coordinates activities concerning projects for water and wastewater installations, systems and equipment. o Performs project management activities coordinating construction and alteration works to ensure that the quality of contractors' services is in accordance with set terms and conditions, codes and standards as well as health and safety rules and regulations and environmental standards. o Performs activities related to commissioning of engineering works, including periodical and final inspection. o Liaises with projects stakeholders to arrive at mutually satisfactory approaches to problems. o Updates Supervisors/Managers periodically on projects status. • Planning and design of all minor and major projects: o Applies commonly used engineering calculations, practices and precedents for projects related to design, construction, upgrade or repair of water and waste water treatment facilities and infrastructures o Carries out site visits, technical/risk assessments and prototype inspections. o Analyzes project proposals to assess technical feasibility and resources estimation. o Prepares technical specifications, construction drawings, bills of quantity and cost estimates for bidding packages. • Data collection and cost analysis: o Provides specialized support in carrying out technical assessments of existing water and wastewater infrastructure. o Assists the supervisor in preparing draft proposals for construction and alteration work including preparation of construction drawings, technical specifications, bills of quantity and cost estimates. o Participates in technical review of offers submitted and studies drawings and sketches for review and discussion to determine extent of work required; presents alternatives as solution of problems. o Accompanies all contractors to job locations, clarifies drawings and specifications after contract has been awarded to successful contractor. • Process and Standardization: o Reviews and evaluates technical offers and coordinates with procurement unit. o Participates in the preparation of cost estimates for biennial budget and acquisition plan related to the Unit/Section accounts with focus on water and wastewater. o Suggests ways to institute control and methods to improve water and wastewater systems, to reduce cost, environmental footprint, and risk for the United Nations. • Acts as Team Leader as required. • Undertakes travel to field missions up to three (3) months, as required, in support of UNGSC mission support team functions. • Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of rules and regulations pertaining to water and wastewater infrastructure planning, design and management, construction, and relevant industry codes and standards, including environmental standards. 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; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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
High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Job - Specific Qualification
Project Management certification such as Prince2, or equivalent is desirable.
Work Experience
Minimum seven (07) years in water and wastewater engineering, environmental engineering, facilities management, building management or related areas is required. A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in the planning and design of water and wastewater infrastructure, including engineering calculation support, gained in industry, with a national government or administration, a large firm, or an international organization, is desirable. Experience in the management of a portfolio of water and wastewater projects involving strong coordination skills is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org [link removed] for details).
Required Languages
| Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II |
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
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