Org. Setting and Reporting
This temporary position is located within the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH). Pursuant to Security Council resolution 2793 (2025), UNSOH has been mandated to provide support; primarily to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), the Haitian National Police (HNP), and the Haitian Armed Forces in the context of any joint operations with the GSF. Additionally, UNSOH is tasked with delivering technical assistance to the Organization of American States (OAS). This role involves Electrical Engineering. The temporary position is based in Port-au-Prince and is located in the Engineering and Facilities Management Section. The Engineering Technician, FS-6 will report to the Chief of Engineering Section, P5 or designated officer.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the incumbent at this level will be responsible for the following duties: Operations:
Coordinates specific engineering and work projects with other units within the section.
Coordinates with engineers and other civilian or military specialists in the mission to agree on work requirements and priorities.
Coordinates and manages electrical power generation, distribution and related maintenance services.
Oversee technical and Administrative work in technical and general engineering activities in the missions, related to electrical installation, operation and maintenance activities.
Implement projects, or parts of larger projects, relating to the construction or repair of buildings, facilities or related electrical systems.
Manages a team of tradesmen, national and international junior staff.
Plans, directs, and coordinates activities of either UN staff and/or contractor's staff, including out sourcing type of contracts, and all related administrative work and supervision of personnel.
Oversees and evaluates works performed by contractors.
Conducts site surveys and load assessments to determine electrical power generation and distribution requirements.
Supervises installation and maintenance of generators, automatic transfer switches, transformers, switchgear, distribution panels, cabling, earthing and lightning protection systems.
Plans scheduled maintenance on electrical installations and equipment, including generators, uninterruptible power supply systems, batteries, solar photovoltaic systems and distribution networks.
Oversees emergency works and repairs of electrical power generation and distribution systems.
Prepares and analyzes reports related to the performance of electrical equipment, including generators, transformers, switchgear, uninterruptible power supply systems and distribution networks.
Monitors, records and archives reports pertaining to inspection, testing, service and repair of electrical installations and equipment.
Monitors and ensures adequate stock levels of electrical spare parts, control panels, cables, protection devices, tools and testing equipment, and provides lists of periodic requirements in advance for the purpose of raising requisitions.
Reviews electrical test results, energy consumption and equipment performance and recommends improvements.
Assists in preparation of scope of works for electrical power generation, distribution, renewable energy and building electrical systems by providing field based input.
Assists in preparation of technical evaluations. Administration:
Carries out technical assessments of existing buildings, infrastructure and electrical systems.
Assists in preparation of budget estimates for future human resources, equipment, materials, supplies and contractual services relating to specific engineering and maintenance activities.
Determines electrical materials, cable sizes, protective devices and quantities to be included in project specifications.
Develops statements of work for contractual services.
Assists in technical evaluation of bids and proposals for electrical projects, equipment, materials, spare parts or services.
Produces cost estimates for electrical installations, repairs and maintenance in specific area of engineering and facilities maintenance expertise.
Administer Engineering Assets within the area of responsibility in accordance with the organizational policies, rules and procedures.
Identify resource requirements for his/her are of responsibility in connection with budget preparations
Prepare and follow-up work orders for electrical engineering works. Management and reporting:
Oversees technical and administrative work in electrical engineering activities in the mission, related to installation and/or maintenance.
Approves and follows up work orders for electrical engineering works and services.
Liaises in coordination with the Section Unit Chief or Chief Engineer regularly as well as with Clients, Security and Safety, Environmental, Health and Logistics Services.
Monitors and reports on progress of electrical engineering projects and maintenance services.
Periodically provide inputs for assessment of performance levels of assigned local and International Staff.
Competencies
Professionalism: Demonstrated professional competence and in-depth knowledge of engineering practice. Well-developed technical skills; knowledge of construction and building maintenance standards, methods, practices and materials; project management skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple, concurrent projects; demonstrated initiative and practical problem-solving skills.
Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; Adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amounts of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; Shows willingness to learn new technology
Education
High school diploma or equivalent is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering or a closely related electrical engineering field is desirable. A technical or vocational certificate/diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology or a relevant electrical discipline is desirable. A recognized and valid professional or trade license in electrical installation, power systems or electrical safety is desirable. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience in electrical engineering, including the installation, operation, maintenance and repair of electrical power generation and distribution systems, is required. Experience supervising electrical projects or contractors in international or post-conflict operations is desirable. Experience using AutoCAD or electrical design or load-analysis software is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Spanish is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Required Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
English | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II
Desirable Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
French | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II
Spanish | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is temporarily available. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless
(a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and
(b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2):
(1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and
(2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.
The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.
By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.
This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening.
No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2
(a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2.
(c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.