WATER AND SANITATION LABORATORY TECHNICIAN At United Nations Secretariat (UN)



Job Description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Facilities and Environmental Management Unit (FEMU) of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), duty station Abyei. The incumbent will report to the Chief FEMU or their designate.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Water and Sanitation Laboratory Technician is responsible for conducting laboratory analysis, implementing quality control measures, use of data analysis and ensuring the maintenance of water and wastewater testing facilities to meet the required standards at the various team site locations. The Water and Sanitation Laboratory Technician will be responsible for the following duties: Operation: • Performs daily chemical and bacteriological analysis of water and treated wastewater effluent • Supervises works related to the installation and maintenance of sanitation facilities such as: ablution units, field toilets, kitchen and laundries. • Install, service, maintain and repair, in compliance with recognized standards and regulations pertaining to safety and installation codes, buildings, camps /sanitary infrastructures, or other structures including sanitation facilities such as: ablution units, bathrooms and toilets, laundries and kitchen water and wastewater systems. • Diagnose technical faults and carry-out remedy for malfunctioning or defective sanitary installations through iAuditor and commindware. • Perform diagnostics and preventive maintenance of installations of water and wastewater facilities using Field Remote Infrastructure Management (FRIM) data. • Perform technical or other assessments of installations and prepare technical or other reports. • Apply and ensure adherence to safety programmes related to the safe operation of the building and maintenance trade through enterprise risk assessment. • Conducting in-house training to tradesmen and artisans on the imaging technical skills in the new related construction methods, installation of specialized equipment, fault finding and remedy. • Review and recommend for approval work orders and assign day to day repair and maintenance tasks to tradesmen and technicians being supervised. • Inspect and report on Watsan related project work and maintenance work carried out either by contractors or tradesmen and staff under supervision and ensure proper utilization of available resources. • Read and interpret specifications and technical drawings, schedules, manuals for related Construction projects, installations and upgrade repair of infrastructure. • Resolve problems; inspect quality of work and work performance • Performs daily chemical and bacteriological analysis of water and treated wastewater effluent • Supervises works related to the installation and maintenance of sanitation facilities such as: ablution units, field toilets, kitchen and laundries. • Interprets FRIM data and integrate such information in the management of SMART camps across the mission • Correlates and interprets FRIM data to be utilized for facility management planning and project implementation. • Supports the mission in the preparation of environmental impact assessments for projects that will results in water and wastewater impacts • Assists the Chief of unit in managing the 3rd party camp management contract as required. Administration • Maintain and update laboratory records, including test results, quality control logs, and inventory management documents. • Prepare detailed and timely reports on water and wastewater quality for submission to supervisors and stakeholders, including trend analyses and recommendations for corrective actions. • Assist in the preparation of cost estimates for infrastructure projects and maintenance programmes. • Assist in technically evaluating bids and proposals for related watsan projects. • Provide inputs periodically for assessment of performance levels of assigned local and International staff. • Alert the Supervisor of Unit / Section of unusual occurrence and/or damage that have taken place or are likely to occur. • Assist in the Chief in the preparation of budget submissions and in the finalization of budget performance reports. • Provides input for the implementation of mission environmental strategy and other environmental initiatives in relation to water and wastewater management. • Acts as the focal point for all audit activities of the office.
Competencies
Professionalism – Knowledge and experience in infrastructure and maintenance of Water and Sanitation infrastructures; Demonstrated technical skills; initiative and practical problem-solving skills; 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 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. Planning and 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. 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.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent. Technical or vocational certificate in Water Resources, Water sample analysis, installation, operation, and maintenance of water equipment is required
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of six years (06) of experience in Water and Sanitation and/or environmental sustainability is required. Experience in water and wastewater laboratory testing and assessment for both physical, chemical and microbiological analysis in UN Field missions is required. Experience in data analysis and be capable of using the Field Remote Infrastructure Management (FRIM) portal to monitor resource consumption data, applying insights to optimize facility management operations in line with DOS environmental strategy is required. Experience in contract management and evaluation of contractor performance is required. Experience in international and post-conflict environments is required.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
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 and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. • This position is temporarily available until 30 June 2025. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
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. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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