Generator Mechanic
Organizational Context
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) was established in 2002 as a Political/Peacebuilding Mission. Its mandate focuses on promoting humanitarian assistance, human rights, gender equality, inclusive governance, resilience, and economic stability. UNAMA engages with national, regional, and global stakeholders to foster peace and stability in Afghanistan, supporting the country's sovereignty and the rights of its people within the UN Charter framework. The mission's mandate has been extended through UN Security Council Resolution 2727 (2026).
Job Purpose
This role supports UNAMA's mission by ensuring the reliable operation of essential power generation systems. The Generator Mechanic will be responsible for the installation, commissioning, maintenance, and repair of diesel engine generators and related equipment. This includes applying engineering calculations, performing preventive and breakdown maintenance, troubleshooting faults, and managing spare parts inventory. The position also involves maintaining operational data logs, preparing performance reports, and contributing to cost-effectiveness analyses. A key aspect will be building the capacity of national staff within the electromechanical unit, ensuring knowledge transfer and sustainable operations.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Electromechanical Unit, the Generator Mechanic will perform engineering calculations and apply standard practices for sizing diesel engine generators. Responsibilities include installation, commissioning, overhauling, and conducting regular/preventive and breakdown maintenance of generating sets and associated equipment. The role ensures smooth generator operation in compliance with UN regulations. Troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining various makes and models of diesel engine power generators using diagnostic tools is crucial. This includes addressing controller faults, rewiring sensors, and programming. The mechanic will install/replace generators, synchronize them in groups, and integrate them with solar hybrid systems. Evaluating spare parts stock levels and advising on requirements and surplus quantities is also a key duty. Maintaining generator operation data logs (fuel, lubricants, KWh, running hours, temperature, pressure) and equipment records is essential. The role involves preparing presentations on generator operation, fuel consumption, and operational costs, analyzing generator efficiency, and developing generator history cards. Estimating repair costs and assessing the economic feasibility of maintenance tasks are also required, along with assisting in acquisition plans and performance reports.
Work Experience
A minimum of three years of progressive experience in the field of diesel engines and generators is required. Additionally, experience in training, capacity building, and mentoring is essential, as the role involves developing the skills of national staff within the electromechanical unit.
Skills
Key competencies include client orientation, communication, teamwork, leadership, adaptability, flexibility, judgment, decision-making, planning, and organizing. Technical skills encompass engineering, construction, machine operation, equipment handling, and proficiency in generator maintenance and repair. Experience in training and capacity building is also a required skill.