General
Description of assignment title: Water and Sanitation Technician
Assignment country: South Sudan
Expected start date: 01/02/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No
Host entity: UNMISS
Type: Onsite
Duration: 5 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Wau
Details
Mission and objectives
Under Resolution 2625 (2022), the Security Council determined that the situation in South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region.
The Council extended the UNMISS mandate until 15 March 2023. It also emphasized that the Mission should continue advancing its three-year strategic vision defined in resolution 2567 (2021) to prevent a return to civil war, build durable peace and support inclusive, accountable governance and free, fair and peaceful elections in accordance with the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
Under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, UNMISS is therefore authorized to use all necessary means to implement its mandate which includes:
(a) Protection of civilians
(b) Creating conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance
(c) Supporting the Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement and the Peace Process
(d) Monitoring, investigating, and reporting on violations of humanitarian and human rights law:
The overall ceiling for uniformed personnel is maintained at 17,000 troops and 2,101 police, including 88 corrections officers.
Please refer to https://unmiss.unmissions.org/mandate for more information.
Context
UNMISS was established in 2011 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO); subsequently, UNMISS mandate has been renewed through resolutions 2057 (2012), 2109 (2013), 2155 (2014), 2187 (2014), 2223 (2015), 2241 (Dec. 2015), 2304 (2016) and 2327 (2016), 2392 (Dec. 2017), 2406 (Mar. 2018), 2459 (Mar. 2019), 2514 (Mar. 2020), 2567 (Mar. 2021), 2625 (Mar. 2022).
Task description
Under the direct supervision of and liaising frequently with the Field Engineer of the Field Office and/or in close coordination with the Mission Headquarter Water and Sanitation Unit; the UNV Water and Sanitation Technician is required to function within the framework of water and sanitation works in the mission for South Sudan, and will perform the following duties and responsibilities:
• Installing, operating and maintaining, servicing and repairing water supply systems, water treatment plants, water storage facilities, solar WTP and solar pumping system, sewerage network, sewerage treatment plants, pumps, control panels of all plants/pumps and other allied equipment of new construction projects within a sector of the Mission area.
• Managing the daily tasks of plumbers and other staff working in the unit.
• Managing the service contracts in the field office.
• Performing surveys and preparing technical reports, drawings and material quantities.
• Contributing to the planning of effective and efficient water and waterwater treatment facilities in the field office.
• Ensuring that the installation of new systems and maintenance of existing systems meet the safety and environmental standards in accordance with international codes and regulations.
• Performing electrical installation, in case of the absent of the electrician, for Water supply system, for WTP, for sewerage network and other minor appliances.
• At least familiar with PLC network system and operation, electrical, phonematic system for wastewater treatment plant and water treatment plant system.
• Providing lists of spare parts for water supply and sewerage works control panels as well as necessary tools and equipment, well in advance.
• Estimating material requirements and tools or equipment needed to perform the job.
• Detecting possible defects in plumbing and mechanical systems.
• Carrying out scheduled periodic and emergency maintenance services on all installations and equipment.
• Reporting on the proper delivery of related services to the Supervisor, Water and Sanitation Unit.
• Receiving and acting on Engineering Work Order Requests (EWRs),
• Designing simple water and sanitation installations and providing the necessary diagrams for laying water supply and sewerage pipelines installations and maintenance work.
• Conducting regular physical, chemical and bacteriological water quality tests to comply with WHO Guidelines.
• Building capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training of national staff and counterparts.
• Performing any other related water and sanitation duties as needed or assigned.
• Knowledge of environmental health safety and hazard.
• Knowledge to operate heavy machine is an advantage.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day.
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote capacity development activities and transfer of skills to national personnel during the assignment;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
• Can perform the UN protocol on environmental health and safety in the workplace and inside camp.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 27 – 80
Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in water and sanitation technician in the construction industry;
Experience in the use of plumbing mechanical equipment, including pumps and tools;
Experience in installing of solar WTP and Solar pumping system;
Experience in contract management and supervisory;
Experience in PLC network system and operation, electrical, pneumatic system for waste water treatment plant and water treatment plant system;
Experience in environmental health safety and hazard;
Experience in tracing and repairing system faults;
Ability to read blue prints and sketches.
Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System; Sound security awareness.
Area(s) of expertise: Engineering and construction
Driving license: Manual Transmission Required
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Technical/vocational diploma in Water supply and sewage systems and maintenance.
Competencies and values
• Integrity and professionalism
• Accountability
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Planning and organizing
• Teamwork and respect for diversity
• Communication
• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere.
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Living conditions vary between UNMISS duty stations. Each duty station where UNMISS has a field presence has basic residential camp facilities, which includes running water and electricity. Candidates should be aware that accommodation may be austere with the possibility of water shortages and power blackouts. On arrival in Juba accommodation will be on a share basis. Ablutions will also be shared. As the accommodation situation improves single unit accommodation, with an attached ablution, should become available in all locations. Hard wall accommodation is available in Juba.
All UNMISS duty stations apart from Entebbe, Uganda are considered non – family duty stations. The security level of UNMISS duty stations is classified by the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) who will brief on arrival. A number of locations in South Sudan are prone to conflict.
Primary health care services (preventive and curative) are provided in 11 United Nations Owned Equipment (UNOE) Level-I clinics, 21 Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) Level-I clinics, 4 COE Level-II medical facilities within the mission area and the establishment of contractual agreements for Level-III and Level-IIII care outside the mission area. The 4 Level-II facilities available in Juba, Bor, Malakal and Wau, run by the Troop Contributing Countries (TCC), take referrals from the Level-I clinics and provide hospital-based care.
The climate is tropical with a rainy season in many areas, which should normally span from around April to October. Ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions is essential.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
