Architectural Associate (Retainer)

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.  UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  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 organizations. 

Kenya Multi country Office (KEMC) has its own Design and Technical Services Unit (TSU) which consists of Civil, Structural, M&E engineers, Architects, Design draftsmen and Quantity Surveyors. The TSU carries out low risk engineering works and building structures. This generally involves concept designs, feasibility studies and low/medium risk designs that include buildings of up to 2 stories in height (as per the UNOPS design planning manual) and civil works that may include using standard designs of structures for rural roads. High risk building and structure designs are outsourced to specialist design firms.

KEMC TSU offers services that are complementary to the front end of any physical infrastructure project including, feasibility studies, construction assessments, developing standard systems and manuals for infrastructure development with local government counterparts, detailed construction design and documentation with BOQ’s and specification. It offers complete turnkey design solutions to serve its clients’ needs.

The Architectural Associate Retainer shall be involved in the preparation of the design drawings and details for the design projects of the TSU.

•  Responsible for the preparation and checking of the Architectural sketches and presentations as instructed by the TSU Project Architect;
• Preparation and checking of the construction drawings through application of CAD software principles and practices in all the Architectural and Engineering designs and project documents; He/she shall review the drawings under the instructions and supervision of the TSU Project Architect and prepare changes, amendments and any other details required;
• Responsible for the standardization of drawings and the application through CAD software according to the UNOPS Design Planning Manual and/or standards and specifications of the applicable Architectural and Engineering code and guidelines of the industry;
• Assist in checking the Architectural and Engineering drawings of prepared projects before tendering and ensure that they comply with the TSU’s guidelines, and facilitate their use and interpretation during the execution of the project;
• Assist the Quantity Surveyors in giving measurements for the preparation of BOQ's when required;
• Assist the TSU Project   Architect on site assessment tasks to undertake measurements of existing buildings and producing as built drawings when required.

• Technical/Professional Diploma or equivalent in Architectural Drafting, Architecture or Civil Engineering field with at least 4 years of relevant experience required.
• Bachelor's Degree in Architectural Drafting, Architecture or Civil Engineering field with at least 2 years of relevant experience is a distinct advantage.
• Advanced-user level in REVIT is desired

•  2 Years’ experience in the Architectural design field in production of drawings/details for vertical structures is required.
• Experience of working with UN or other Humanitarian/Development agencies (UNOPS) will be highly regarded.

• Fluency in written and oral English language is required.

• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• 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.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement

Contract level: LICA 6 (Retainer)

Contract duration: 12 months renewable availability of funds and satisfactory performance

This is a local post. As such, it is only open to Kenyan Nationals or persons with valid residence permits  

This position is based in a family duty station

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.

Kenya Multi-Country Office (KEMC)

UNOPS KEMC helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including: governance, education, health, the environment, grant management and rural development.

UNOPS KEMC has over twenty years of experience working in East Africa, including large scale infrastructure projects. With a flexible and responsive presence throughout the region, UNOPS is able to scale up rapidly, through various mechanisms into high risk areas which have proven to be beneficial to partners.

KEMC has its own Technical and Design Services Unit (TSU) which comprises a core group of technical staff supplemented by experts employed on a retainer basis.  The group conducts feasibility studies and assessments and engages in design and monitoring work. The core group’s skills include Civil, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Architects, Design Associates and Quantity Surveyors.  Retainers provide additional capacity in core disciplines as well as GIS and sector specific expertise (roads, healthcare, heritage etc).