Water Engineer-Retainer

Since the opening of the Jerusalem Office in 2006, UNOPS has significantly strengthened its operations in Palestine. Our expert knowledge, skills and management systems contribute to the sustainable development of public infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank, including Area C and East Jerusalem.

With support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)    , UNOPS Jerusalem Operations Centre is implementing a Programme for Emergency Recovery in Palestine. 

The aim of the project is to conduct procurement and ensure delivery of essential equipment to improve solid waste management, health services and water supply services, as per agreement with the Palestinian counterparts and JICA. 

The water engineer will work under the guidance and supervision of  the designated  Project Manager to support the procurement and delivery of the water equipment and supplies in line with the priorities of the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA). 

The water engineer will be responsible for providing technical support throughout the procurement process of water-related machinery/equipment/material. This includes a definition of specifications, a technical assessment of tender submissions against requirements, and procurement advice. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

Reporting to the Project Manager, who provides general guidance and allocates assignments, the incumbent shall be responsible for the following:

• Identify needs, review, advise on, and help consolidate the equipment/items/materials/ supplies and or lists by type of service. 

• Support in the revision of materials / equipment and requirements presented by PWA  and partners in terms of accuracy and suitability to overall requirements.

• Support in preparation of the technical specifications and bill of quantities are to be incorporated into the tender documents of the water sector equipment/ material, and works  ensuring compliance with UNOPS tendering standards and policies 

• Support in preparing estimates and prices for all water equipment, materials and supplies.

• Assist in preparation of schedule of requirements, conditions, evaluation criteria and exact submission needed from the bidders before the bid solicitation.

Quality Assurance:

• Review the technical specifications of the list of water sector equipment, materials and supplies, and any other items and make recommendations.

• When required inspect the materials/equipment delivered. 

Procurement: 

• Provide technical support on specifications, cost implications and logistics for safe delivery both internationally and nationally.

• Contribute to the evaluation and serve as a technical representative in the evaluation committees to ensure technical compliance with UNOPS needs and cost-effective purchase of goods and services.

Monitoring and Progress Controls:

• Attend coordination meetings with the stakeholders if required. 

• Contribute to the development of project progress reports. 

• Prepare and maintain an inventory list of water equipment/ materials/machinery to be procured.

• Develop and update tracking sheets for all material/equipment to be delivered. 

Deliverables:

• Report the results of the review of the technical specifications on the list of water sector - material/equipment.

• Timely completion of the evaluations. 

• Report at the reception and the storage of the supplies. 

• Any other technical reporting as required by the Project Manager

Those activities as well as the set of deliverables will be itemised in a calendar of activities to be shared with the expert.

Final Product

1. Prepare an accurate inventory list of water sector equipment/materials

2. Complete operational and maintenance plans for all water sector equipment/material.

  Education

• A minimum of an advanced university degree  (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in water engineering field or related field is required. 

• A relevant first-level university degree in water engineering may be accepted with an additional 2 years of relevant experience.

• A Technical or professional license from a reconginzed professional body or institution in a field relevant to the TOR. 

B. Work Experience 

• At least 2 years (or more depending on academic credentials)  of progressively responsible experience in water sector management, water equipment management, purchase and/or installation and maintenance of water sector machinery/equipment/materials.

• Working experience in Occupied Palestinian Territories is required

• Prior UN experience would be an asset 

• Experience in supporting procurement processes as a technical expert on materials/equipment for water sector would be an asset

Language:

• Full knowledge of  English & Arabic is required.

• Knowledge of Hebrew is an asset.

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.