Assistant Architect Design Vacancy-Job Ref: ACJOUNRWA/2010/202638

Assistant Architect Design Vacancy-Job Ref: ACJOUNRWA/2010/202638

Amman (Jordan)

Job Description
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff.

UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. Justification for Use: This post supports developing preliminary designs and prepares detailed Architectural design including 3D sketch-up development for projects in accordance with Agency’s needs, policies, design criteria, standards, and applicable local and international codes of practice. Title of Supervisor: Architect Design Lead Title of Supervisee/s: Technical Assistants/CAD.

Responsibilities
– Supports the development of preliminary, and prepares detailed, architectural design for building projects including schools, Health Centers, shelters, warehouses, administrative building, landscaping & open/playing/green areas and rehousing projects in accordance with Agency’s needs, policies, design criteria, standards, local and international codes of practice; maintains and applies existing standard details of architectural works utilizing relevant software and prepares and reviews drawings prepared by Technical Assistants/CAD. – Contributes to the tender documents preparation, including particular specifications to cover special design needs; identifies non-standard items, to improve the quality of implemented works, and writes relevant description to be included in the Bill of Quantities (BoQs).

– Participates in the searches for emerging models, technologies and techniques that can be used to meet changing requirements, and in technical activities to incorporate green elements in designs and satisfy environmental aspects and protection needs. – Carries out special designs for the alteration works of the Agency premises particularly on architectural aspects and building system inspections, including remediation requirements. – Liaises with Construction teams and/ or design teams as directed by the supervisor on architectural design issues arising during construction to optimize designs and resolve issues during the implementation ; -Updates all Architectural designs drawings to incorporate changes included in the as-built drawings as received from the Fields to reflect on ground conditions and involvements; maintains these drawings based on the relevant Technical Instructions and Standards. – Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

Competencies
UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. – Creating and Innovating – Deciding and Initiating Action – Relating and Networking – Learning and Researching.

Education
• A university degree from an accredited educational institution in Architecture Engineering.

Work Experience
Indicate your current involvement in any outside activities, as it is required. Including but not limited to employment, independent contractor/freelance consultant, board member (corporate, academic, etc), expert group, lobby, public speaking/writing (article, book, blog, social media etc), teaching, conferences, training, press statement, voluntary work, political activity, fundraising/donation for non-UNRWA entity, running for public office, role in political party or orgs, owning business, work for gov./NGO/private company/charity, UNRWA partner/vendor, full/part-time, paid or not.

A “yes” answer doesn’t necessarily lead to exclusion from future work at UNRWA, yet misrepresentation in providing accurate/complete info can lead to disqualification/termination of appointment, if hired. You are required to have at least three years of relevant experience, of which at least two years in designing public buildings and developmental projects. You are required to have experience with architectural design software and computer-aided design, such as AutoCAD and other software. Good command of written and spoken English and Arabic is required.

Do you currently hold a contract of 1 year or more with UNRWA? If yes, please confirm whether you have completed your mandatory probation period is required.
Have you previously been a recipient under the EVR (Early Voluntary Retirement) or EVS (Early Voluntary Separation) Schemes? You are required to answer.
Are you currently residing in Duty Station. It is required that you specify your current location.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Arabic is required.

Assessment
During the assessment, the applications will be given preference based on the following desirable qualifications:
Knowledge on relevant “greening” approaches and protection needs.
Provided very good understanding of the context of Palestine refugees and UNRWA operations. The shortlisted candidates will be afterward evaluated based on:
Technical Test
Competency-based Interview Candidates who meet the post requirements and the required language level will be considered for the ongoing competitive process. To ensure alignment with the UN language levels, please refer to the guidance below: Level I: Basic knowledge. Level II: Good to very good command. Level III: Excellent language skills. Level IV: Expert level or native proficiency.

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