About the Organization
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) stands as a strategic pillar of international cooperation, established to accelerate economic diversification and sustainable development 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 required to navigate a complex global landscape. Our mission is centered on fostering regional integration and supporting the implementation of global development agendas, ensuring Africa remains a resilient force for progress.
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 structural and spatial integrity of this infrastructure is a mission-critical objective. The Facilities Management Section (FMS) is the engine behind this effort, ensuring that every building is optimized through precise technical documentation and innovative spatial design. To work at the ECA is to be part of an elite team of professionals dedicated to creating a safe, functional, and world-class environment for international diplomacy.
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 layout and technical drawings of the compound directly enable the strategic planning and operational flow of the commission. We offer a workspace that adheres to international engineering standards and promotes a culture of continuous technical excellence.
We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for solving complex architectural and engineering 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 design and facility management sectors.
In our commitment to achieving gender parity within technical and engineering fields, we strongly encourage women to apply for this AutoCAD Operator position. The United Nations actively seeks to break traditional gender roles in technical drafting and architectural design. We are dedicated to providing an environment where female technical experts can lead in the documentation and design of critical infrastructure, ensuring that our facilities benefit from the widest possible range of talent and spatial perspectives.
Job Description and Strategic Impact
The role of the AutoCAD Operator / Draughting Assistant (G4) is a specialized technical function that sits at the core of the ECA’s infrastructure planning and capital project management. This role is strategically vital, as it ensures the accuracy of technical drawings that define the physical reality of the UN compound. By preparing and upgrading detailed designs for all types of facilities, you provide the foundational documentation necessary for large-scale renovations, space optimization, and structural maintenance.
The strategic impact of this role is most evident in its contribution to Major Capital Sub-Units and the “UN Common House” initiative. You are the technical guardian of the commission’s spatial records, ensuring that every concept or detailed design drawing aligns with best professional practices and international standards. Your ability to prepare professional renderings and presentation drawings is critical for securing institutional project clearances and facilitating high-level technical discussions regarding the compound’s future development.
A day in the life of an AutoCAD Operator at the ECA involves a dynamic mix of high-precision drafting and on-site facility assessment. You will be responsible for preparing graphical, analytical, and written documentation for approved designs, as well as assisting in the preparation of Scope of Works (SOW) for new projects. This role offers the unique opportunity to monitor the execution of projects by contractors, ensuring that the physical construction reflects the precision of the technical drawings you have produced.
Furthermore, this position carries a multi-functional administrative responsibility, including the maintenance of section management tools and the operation of specialized office equipment. You will assist in the operation of the FMS Help Desk, bridging the gap between technical design and facility maintenance queries. Your proactive approach to maintaining chronological files and databases ensures that the Section possesses a reliable “single source of truth” for all architectural and engineering documentation.
The long-term impact of your work is the institutionalization of advanced drafting protocols that extend the operational life of the ECA’s physical assets. By accurately maintaining bills of materials, cost estimates, and project timelines, you create a legacy of technical transparency and financial accountability. This role provides an unparalleled opportunity to develop into a specialist in facility drafting within an international framework, contributing to the professional management of Africa’s premier diplomatic site.
Job Positions and Requirements
AutoCAD Operator / Draughting Assistant (G-4)
Educational Qualification: High school completion is required. Specialized certifications in AutoCAD, Technical Draughting, or Architectural Design are highly desirable.
Work Experience: Proven experience in technical draughting and the operation of AutoCAD software is required. Experience in preparing technical drawings for facilities, rendering, and maintaining technical records 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 drafting 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 official architectural records. Beyond financial rewards, the ECA offers a world-class environment where you will work with the latest drafting software, professional printers, and scanning equipment.
We provide a merit-based environment where technical initiative and precision 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 architecture, engineering, and facility management market.
How to Apply
In line with our streamlined recruitment procedures, 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 expertise in AutoCAD and architectural draughting within your application.
Verification of original academic documents and technical draughting 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 a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. We are seeking a dedicated professional who can maintain our technical drawings to the highest standards of accuracy and professional quality.
The selection process will likely include a technical interview and a practical test related to AutoCAD operations and rendering. We aim to identify a reliable professional capable of working under the direction of the Chief of PPIU while maintaining strict UN safety and documentation protocols.
Interested candidates must apply through the official UN recruitment portal (Inspira) using the Job Opening ID provided below.
Application Deadline
April 21, 2026