Mission and objectives

Under Resolution 2677 (2023), the Security Council determined that the situation in South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region. The Council extended the UNMISS mandate until 15 March 2024. It also emphasized that the Mission should continue advancing its three-year strategic vision defined in resolution 2567 (2021) to prevent a return to civil war, build durable peace and support inclusive, accountable governance as well as free, fair and peaceful elections in accordance with the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, UNMISS is therefore authorized to use all necessary means to implement its mandate which includes: (a) Protection of civilians (b) Creating conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance (c) Supporting the Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement and the Peace Process (d) Monitoring, investigating, and reporting on violations of humanitarian and human rights law The overall ceiling for uniformed personnel is maintained at 17,000 troops and 2,101 police, including 88 corrections officers. Please refer to https://unmiss.unmissions.org/mandate for more information.

Context

Engineering Section provides mission wide operational support in United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS, hereinafter as UNMISS or Mission). Reporting directly to the Head of Asset Management Cell in Engineering Operations Office, the incumbent will support all activities within the Engineering Asset Cell.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Engineering Operations Unit, and the Chief Engineer, the UNV Assistant Asset Manager will perform the following duties within the framework of UN Guidelines and IPSAS Standards governing Engineering Real Estate Assets: • Assist in scheduling of construction, repair, maintenance and installation of conventional building, temporary building, infrastructure and sites and premises including grounds in the Mission area; • Assist in technical assessments of existing buildings and infrastructure; • Assist ad hoc tradesmen, local junior staff assigned to the team by determining workloads and schedules; • Review and recommend for approval, work orders and assign day to day repair/maintenance task to tradesmen being supervised; • Inspect and report on construction project work and maintenance work carried out either by contractors or tradesmen and staff under supervision and ensure proper utilization of available resources; • Advise on requirements for ordering construction materials, maintenance project, spare parts, materials and building supplies; • Assist in the preparation of cost estimates for infrastructure projects and maintenance programmes; • Assist in preparation of bills of quantities and costing for infrastructure projects; • Assist in technically evaluating bids and proposals for construction projects; • Follow up of correction of defects in material; • Provide inputs periodically for assessment performance levels of assigned local and international staff; • Checks and reminds the Chief of Unit/Section of unusual occurrence and/or damage on engineering assets that have taken place or likely to occur; • Record all and ensure proper custody of data on engineering assets, equipment; • Track and recognize assets under construction (AuC); • Ensure that assets classified as (AuCs) and assets in use are properly recorded, according to UN Guidelines and IPSAS standards; • Check for Tally records against warehouse inventories/asset register, • Ensure consistency in barcoding of engineering assets, • Initiate asset Write Offs and other related duties. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required 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; • 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.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Competencies and values

• 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. • 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; • 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 and remarks

Living conditions vary between UNMISS duty stations. Each duty station where UNMISS has a field presence has basic residential camp facilities, which includes running water and electricity. Candidates should be aware that accommodation may be austere with the possibility of water shortages and power blackouts. On arrival in Juba accommodation will be on a share basis. Ablutions will also be shared. As the accommodation situation improves single unit accommodation, with an attached ablution, should become available in all locations. Hard wall accommodation is available in Juba. All UNMISS duty stations apart from Entebbe, Uganda are considered non – family duty stations. The security level of UNMISS duty stations is classified by the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) who will brief on arrival. A number of locations in South Sudan are prone to conflict. Primary health care services (preventive and curative) are provided in 11 United Nations Owned Equipment (UNOE) Level-I clinics, 21 Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) Level-I clinics, 4 COE Level-II medical facilities within the mission area and the establishment of contractual agreements for Level-III and Level-IIII care outside the mission area. The 4 Level-II facilities available in Juba, Bor, Malakal and Wau, run by the Troop Contributing Countries (TCC), take referrals from the Level-I clinics and provide hospital-based care. The climate is tropical with a rainy season in many areas, which should normally span from around April to October. Ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions is essential.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements