About the Organization
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is a strategic regional institution established to accelerate economic diversification and structural transformation across the African continent. As a vital arm of the United Nations, the ECA serves as a center of excellence for policy research, providing member states with the technical expertise and advocacy needed to achieve sustainable development. Our mission is centered on fostering regional integration and supporting the implementation of global development agendas, ensuring that Africa remains a resilient and competitive force in the international arena.
The ECA headquarters in Addis Ababa is a massive, high-tech compound that houses thousands of international staff and hosts global leaders for critical diplomatic summits. Maintaining the safety and operational efficiency of this infrastructure is a mission-critical objective. The Facilities Management Section (FMS) is the heartbeat of this effort, ensuring that every building is equipped with the latest technology in security, automation, and life safety. To work within the ECA is to be part of an elite team of professionals dedicated to creating a safe and seamless environment for international cooperation.
Integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity are the core values that guide our work. We operate in a multicultural setting where collaboration and technical precision are paramount. Every technical staff member at the ECA plays a role in the broader UN mission, as the physical security and comfort of the compound directly enable the diplomatic and economic work of the commission. We offer a workspace that adheres to international safety standards and promotes a culture of continuous technical excellence.
We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for solving complex technical challenges. The United Nations is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees are empowered to reach their full potential. We provide a stable and supportive workplace that recognizes technical expertise and encourages the development of leadership skills within the engineering and facility management sectors.
In our commitment to achieving gender parity within technical and engineering fields, we strongly encourage women to apply for this Assistant Technician position. The United Nations actively seeks to break traditional gender roles in electromechanical and automation sectors. We are dedicated to providing an environment where female technical experts can lead in the maintenance of critical building systems, ensuring that our safety and automation infrastructure benefits from the widest possible range of talent and perspectives.
Job Description and Strategic Impact
The role of the Fire Alarm and Building Automation Control System Assistant (G4) is a specialized position that sits at the intersection of life safety and modern building technology. This role is strategically vital, as it ensures the continuous functionality of systems that protect both the people and the physical assets of the UN compound. By managing the Building Automation Control System (BACS), you are responsible for the intelligent integration of HVAC, lighting, and power systems, ensuring a energy-efficient and comfortable environment for the UN’s high-level operations.
The strategic impact of this role is most evident in its life-safety function. You are the technical guardian of the fire alarm network, ensuring that smoke detectors, annunciators, and zone monitors are always operational. In the event of an emergency, your expertise in resetting duct dampers and coordinating with security fire cells is critical for a safe evacuation. Your work directly prevents system failures that could disrupt international conferences or jeopardize the safety of global delegates.
A day in the life of an Assistant Technician at the ECA involves high-level technical monitoring from a central supervisory computer and hands-on maintenance of sophisticated sensors and actuators. You will be responsible for the planned preventive maintenance of Estate Management Controllers (EMCs) and the troubleshooting of complex electrical power systems. This role offers the unique opportunity to work with cutting-edge BACS technology, providing a platform for professional growth in the field of smart building management.
Furthermore, this position carries the responsibility of supervising electromechanical contractors and ensuring their work meets stringent UN and IEE standards. You will participate in major interventions involving backup generators and UPS units, ensuring that the ECA remains operational even during local power disruptions. Your ability to maintain a steady relationship with utility power authorities and manage energy consumption is a key component of the UN’s environmental sustainability goals.
The long-term impact of your work is the institutionalization of advanced maintenance protocols that extend the life of the ECA’s high-value electronic systems. By accurately maintaining maintenance manuals and history cards, you create a legacy of technical transparency and reliability. This role provides an unparalleled opportunity to develop into a specialist in building automation within an international framework, contributing to the safe and efficient operation of Africa’s premier diplomatic site.
Job Positions and Requirements
Fire Alarm and Building Automation Control System Assistant (G4)
Educational Qualification: High school completion is required. Specialized technical certifications in electronics, electrical engineering, or building automation are highly desirable.
Work Experience: Proven experience in the operation, maintenance, and installation of fire alarm and building automation systems is required. Hands-on experience with electrical power systems, HVAC controls, or electromechanical maintenance is essential.
Job Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (ECA Compound)
Salary: Negotiable/Per UN Consultant Scale (CON)
No. Required: 1
Employment Type and Compensation
This position is offered as a consultancy contract with an expected duration of 9 months. It is an ideal opportunity for a technical professional looking to apply their skills in an international organization known for its rigorous standards and professional work culture.
The compensation for this role is competitive and aligned with the United Nations G4 level for individual contractors and consultants. The package reflects the technical complexity of the role and the high level of responsibility involved in managing life-safety systems. Beyond financial rewards, the ECA offers a world-class engineering environment where you will work with the latest diagnostic tools and smart building software.
We provide a merit-based environment where technical initiative and safety consciousness are recognized. This contract provides a stable professional engagement for 9 months, offering significant prestige and an international reference that is highly valued in the global engineering and facility management market.
How to Apply
In line with our streamlined recruitment policies, candidates are NOT required to provide scanned certificates or physical attachments during the initial application stage. We encourage you to focus on accurately detailing your technical experience with fire alarms and building automation software in your application.
Verification of original academic documents and technical certifications will only be requested for candidates who advance to the interview and technical assessment stage. This approach ensures a fair and efficient screening process based on the merits of the applicant’s professional and technical background.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further evaluation. The United Nations does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process. We are seeking a dedicated professional who can maintain our building systems to the highest standards of safety and efficiency.
The selection process will likely include a technical interview and potentially a practical test related to BACS monitoring and fire panel operations. We aim to identify a reliable technician capable of working under minimal supervision while following strict UN safety protocols.
Interested candidates must apply through the official UN recruitment portal (Inspira) using the Job Opening ID provided below.
Application Deadline
April 21, 2026