Lead Electrical Engineer

Organisational Context
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 organisations.  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.


Multi-Country Office Context:
The UNOPS Ghana Multi Country Office (GHMCO), located in Accra, Ghana is responsible for projects in Anglophone West Africa, covering Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. GHMCO is responsible for managing strategic and operational risks engagements portfolio, developing and delivering cost effective services contributing to partners’ sustainable results and achievement of UNOPS management results.

Local Context
UNOPS has been active in Sierra Leone since 2000 and has delivered a variety of infrastructure projects nationwide, particularly in the fields of Renewable Energy, Health and Security Infrastructure, and has implemented and procured a variety of vehicles, non-medical health related items, medical equipment, and Solar Photovoltaic systems

Project Information:
Poor access to electricity is recognised as a binding constraint to long -term economic growth in Sierra Leone. The country is currently experiencing a net deficit of power and is in desperate need of new power sources. The Ministry of Energy has developed an Energy Sector Roadmap and action plan with initiative to increase energy access through technical and non-technical interventions. Part of the roadmap strategy is to incorporate Sierra Leone’s great Renewable Energy resources to provide security of supply to rural communities and to boost the economy. 

To help address the energy infrastructure needs, UNOPS on behalf of the Ministry of Energy, is implementing activities to increase electricity accessibility to public services and enhance economic growth in underserved rural communities.

The project aims to expand energy access to remote villages, leading to improved development outcomes in health, education and economic development to beneficiary communities. This will enable reliable, clean and affordable electricity and in turn improve social, economic and health benefits to rural communities. Providing electricity access to isolated communities will result in improved economic benefits, reducing the relative cost of energy access by eliminating the cost of diesel generators for energy reliant businesses. The project is in support of the Ministry’s objective of increasing access to electricity in the rural communities , exploring a variety of alternative sources of renewable energy. It is envisioned that the project will contribute to the Government's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) addressing multiple development initiatives. Furthermore, the project will enhance partnerships between public, private and social sector stakeholders to address poverty reduction , and encourage the participation of the private sector in the provision of commercially viable energy services in rural communities.

Position Information 
The Lead Electrical Engineer (EE) will be responsible for providing support to the field based construction supervisors and junior Electrical Engineers and provide quality and control to all electrical and related works. Following the schedule of works, She/He will be responsible to supervise all Electrical and related works and provide updates to the Construction Manager and Project Manager as their Primary supervisor. 

• A Master's Degree (Advanced University Degree or Higher) in Electrical Engineering or other relevant field is required.

• A Bachelor’s Degree (First Level University Degree) in Electrical Engineering or other relevant field, with two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the Advanced University Degree.

• At least five (5) years of  relevant experience in Engineering for design and construction of infrastructure projects and general professional experience in Power Generation (Conventional Technologies); or Low Voltage and Medium Voltage Networks is required.

Within the five (5) years experience:
- Two (2) years Professional experience in the preparation of design documents (Drawings, Technical Specification, Bills of Quantities, Cost Estimations, etc..); and/or implementation supervision of grid connected and/or Hybrid Solar PV Projects is required.

- One (1) year general experience in computer design software, particularly “AutoCAD” or equivalent is required.

• Experience in design of electrical installation, feasibility study/assessment of the power and electrical aspects of infrastructure projects is an added advantage

• Experience in Solar PV Software is an asset

• Work Experience with an international organization and/or UN Agencies is an asset

• Fluency in written, reading and spoken English Language is required.

• Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)
• Contract level: LICA 10/ ICS 10
• Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance'.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• Freetown is a family duty station
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Africa Region

AFR helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.