Intern (Engineering)

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency.  At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services. 

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

We are currently looking for Afghan nationals with a strong sense of professional and social commitment to join the AFCO team as Interns.  The Interns will participate in and contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of construction implementation as a part of a team of professional engineers.  The Interns will support the experienced professionals by assisting them in various design and construction related tasks, while developing their practical engineering skills to help them in future career development. The interns will have access to the UNOPS Learning Zone Platform, enabling them to take short-term learning courses and develop their skills.  The interns will also be able to propose /  work on innovative approaches or proposing new ways to do things as they may bring new knowledge from University. The Interns will be engaged in activities such as (but not limited to) the following:

• Assist in design and preparation of all related documents for constructions works 

• Site visits with other members of the team to assess the current situation of the construction activities, taking detailed notes and assisting senior team members in preparing reports.

• Assist in supervision of site work conducted by Contractors. 

• Assist in contract management including taking site measurements, contract variations, QA/QC inspections, keeping site records, Health, safety and environmental inspections.

• Attending and completing various on-the-job training with focus on Quality Control, Construction Site Management, Cost and Estimation, Health Safety, Social and Environmental Management. 

Education and Qualifications

• Applicants must be (or have been) completing a degree in civil engineering within the last 4 years (before application) from a recognized University in Afghanistan.

• Preferred ‘major area/fields’ of such degree studies are building design and construction.

• Proficiency in contemporary computer applications is required, including sound knowledge of Microsoft Office tools / applications. 

Experience:

• No specific experience is required for this position.  

Language requirement 

• Fluency in English – both written and oral

• Fluency in Dari and Pashto – written and oral

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.