The post is located in the Buildings Unit of the Facilities Management Section, Central Support Services, Division of Administration, United Nations Office at Geneva. The Architect reports to the Chief, Buildings Unit.

Under the general supervision of the Chief, Buildings Unit, and within the limits of delegated authority, the incumbent participates in the planning, design and construction phases of construction projects, in the renovation of office space, conference rooms, repair of roads and parking spaces, and the maintenance of buildings, and he/she is responsible for the following duties:

Architectural concepts:
-Executes detailed studies for the renovation of specific areas of the existing structure including drawings of plans, sections and technical details, integrating environmental initiatives and modern technologies with the historical value of the building.
-Coordinates and checks the work of architectural and engineering consultants specializing in the areas of structures, design and compliance with energy, accessibility and safety standards.

Maintenance plans
-Executes detailed studies for the undertaking of preventive and reactive building maintenance activities.
-Executes detailed condition surveys and uses this as basis for developing periodical maintenance plans.
-Coordinates and checks the work of architectural and engineering consultants specializing in the areas of structures, design and compliance with energy, accessibility and safety standards.

Tendering of construction services:
-Studies architectural solutions with consultants and specialized companies.
-Prepares preliminary design and feasibility studies and makes cost estimates.
-Drafts scopes of work, bills of quantity, technical specifications and cost estimates.
-Sits in technical panels for the evaluation of technical bids and proposals.

Site supervision:
-Supervises construction and renovation works executed by contractors.
-Monitors quality of contracted services and the respect of time schedules.
-Prepares reports and checks payments.
-Coordinates works of various contractors and in-house service teams.

Assists the Buildings Unit in liaising between the Strategic Heritage Plan (SHP) and Facilities Management Section (FMS) teams, as required. In this context, the incumbent:
-Collaborates with SHP/FMS teams by taking into account the SHP project needs, submits them to the FMS team, and provides to the SHP team the requested, coordinated and validated information.
-Drafts and coordinates FMS recommendations in order to ensure consistency between the proposed new premises and the existing buildings.
-Communicates costs benchmark based on UNOG current maintenance contracts and coordinates cost information with FMS to avoid any duplication of works and budgets.

Professionalism: Architectural knowledge related to design, condition surveys and maintenance programmes, space management, and all trades involved in construction works; Knowledge of computer-aided design software. 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 rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount 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.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

An advanced University degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in architecture, engineering, building surveying or other related field is required. A first-level university degree in the mentioned fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in building design, supervision of construction works, building renovation and maintenance programmes is required.

Experience in using Building information Modeling (BIM) is required.

Experience in using Revit is required.

Experience in the management, maintenance and renovation of large buildings is desirable.

Experience in supervising multi-disciplinary construction teams is desirable.

Experience in historical restorations of buildings is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Fluency in French is desirable. Knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/ Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.