Assistant Architect Design
Organizational Context
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is a UN organization established in 1949 to assist and protect approximately 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees across the Middle East. It provides essential services including education, healthcare, and social services, operating as the largest UN entity in the region with over 30,000 staff. This role supports the Architecture and Design Division within the Programme Infrastructure and Camp Improvement Department.
Job Purpose
This role is crucial for developing preliminary and detailed architectural designs for various UNRWA building projects, including schools, health centers, shelters, and administrative buildings. The Assistant Architect Design will ensure all designs comply with agency needs, policies, design criteria, standards, and relevant local and international codes. The position involves utilizing architectural design software and CAD to create and review drawings, contributing to tender documents, and incorporating sustainable and green design elements. The role also supports the optimization of designs during construction and maintains as-built drawings to reflect actual site conditions, ensuring the quality and integrity of UNRWA's infrastructure.
Responsibilities
The Assistant Architect Design is responsible for developing preliminary and detailed architectural designs for diverse projects such as schools, health centers, shelters, and administrative buildings, adhering to agency standards and codes. This includes maintaining and applying standard architectural details using relevant software and reviewing drawings prepared by technical assistants. The role contributes to tender document preparation, specifying unique design needs and providing descriptions for Bills of Quantities. It also involves researching new technologies and techniques, incorporating green elements into designs, and conducting special designs for alterations and building system inspections. Furthermore, the position requires liaising with construction and design teams to resolve on-site issues, updating architectural drawings based on as-built information, and maintaining drawings according to technical instructions.
Work Experience
A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience is required, with at least two years specifically in designing public buildings and developmental projects. Experience with architectural design software and CAD is essential. Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is also required.
Skills
Core Competencies: Communication, Working with People, Drive for Results. Additional Skills: Creating and Innovating, Deciding and Initiating Action, Relating and Networking, Learning and Researching. Technical Skills: Architectural design software, CAD (e.g., AutoCAD).