Lead Electrical Engineer

Job Posting Organization:
UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) is an operational arm of the United Nations, dedicated to helping partners implement projects that improve people's lives and support sustainable development. Established in 1973, UNOPS operates in over 80 countries, providing infrastructure, procurement, and project management services. The organization focuses on delivering high-quality results in a timely manner, ensuring that projects are sustainable and aligned with the United Nations' goals. UNOPS employs thousands of professionals worldwide, working collaboratively with various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and the private sector, to maximize impact and foster partnerships.

Job Overview:
The Lead Electrical Engineer position is a critical role within UNOPS, particularly in the context of the procurement and delivery of high-voltage power transformers for the National Energy Access and Transformation (NEAT) project in Papua New Guinea. This role involves providing independent technical assurance by reviewing and verifying the design submissions from manufacturers, ensuring compliance with international standards such as IEC 60076, and addressing any technical deficiencies or inconsistencies. The engineer will work closely with the project manager and technical team to facilitate the smooth progression of design documents to manufacturing. This position is home-based and operates on a retainer basis, meaning the engineer will be called upon as needed rather than working full-time. The role requires a strong background in electrical engineering, particularly in high-voltage transformer design, and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders to ensure project success.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review and verify manufacturer design calculations, engineering drawings, and technical data sheets to ensure compliance with IEC 60076 standards and project specifications.
• Provide timely technical recommendations to resolve design deficiencies, preventing delays in production.
• Adhere to UNOPS operational and engineering procedures during evaluations.
• Prepare technical review reports and recommendations for the project team.
• Collaborate with the UNOPS project team to align on technical requirements and design acceptance.
• Act as the client-side technical assurance specialist to verify that transformers meet quality benchmarks.
• Document best practices and lessons learned during the design review process.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, or a closely related discipline with at least 7 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree in the same fields with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience. Additionally, candidates should have experience in the design, engineering, manufacture, or testing of high-voltage power transformers, as well as familiarity with transformer design documentation and calculation methodologies. Knowledge of IEC standards related to transformers is essential, and experience in multicultural environments or UN system organizations is preferred.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, or a closely related discipline is required. A Master’s degree in the same or related fields is preferred. The educational background should be complemented by substantial experience in relevant areas, particularly in high-voltage transformer design and engineering.

Experience:
Candidates should have significant experience in the design, engineering, manufacture, or technical review of high-voltage power transformers. Relevant experience should include working with transformer design documentation and methodologies. Experience in multicultural environments or within the UN system, particularly in developing countries, is highly desirable. Practical knowledge of IEC standards related to transformers is also important, as is familiarity with Factory Acceptance Testing processes.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as mid-level and operates on a retainer contract basis for a duration of one month. The role is home-based, and there are no guaranteed minimum working hours or days. Candidates must complete mandatory training courses prior to providing services to UNOPS, which will not be compensated. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.