Electrical Engineering Assistant / Asistente en Ing. Electromecánica (1 Chiriquí / 1 Panama)

UNDP • Panama City, FL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Electromechanical Engineering Assistant will provide technical support to INADEH’s Projects for Transformation and Integral Improvement Office. The role contributes to planning, design, supervision, monitoring, and technical control of institutional works and projects within the assistant’s specialty and in accordance with technical and contractual requirements and applicable regulations.

The assistant supports field surveys, preparation and review of technical specifications and drawings, material calculations and budgets, and checks of applicable standards for electrical, air-conditioning and refrigeration, gas, plumbing, fire-protection, and special systems. The role also supports site inspections and construction monitoring, reviews proposed materials and equipment, identifies and documents technical deviations, and contributes to quality, safety, resource-efficiency, and environmentally friendly practices.

The position provides support with contractors’ technical documentation, payment reviews, claims, change orders, additional works, project certifications, and documentation for submissions to Panama’s Comptroller General. It also prepares technical progress reports, maintains project records, provides technical assistance to project activities, and supports staff training and knowledge sharing.

Two positions are available: one based in David, Chiriquí, with travel to INADEH projects and regional offices in Chiriquí, Veraguas, and Bocas del Toro; and one based at the INADEH headquarters in Tocumen, Panama, with travel to projects and regional offices in Darién, Panama, Panama Oeste, Coclé, Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos. The role works regular Monday-to-Friday hours, with availability for extended hours when project needs require. Authorized official travel and related transportation, lodging, and meal expenses are covered by the project. The assistant works under the general supervision of the Project Coordinator and Project Director.

Requirements

• Completed secondary education is required.
• At least five years of relevant experience with completed secondary education, or at least two years with a completed bachelor’s degree, in activities related to surveying, design, installation, maintenance, supervision, management, or monitoring of electromechanical systems works or projects.
• Relevant experience must include systems such as air conditioning, refrigeration, low- and medium-voltage electrical installations, and special systems.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint, as well as Zoom, training platforms, or similar tools.
• Experience conducting requirements surveys and preparing technical specifications for electromechanical installations in construction works.
• Experience preparing material calculations and budgets for electromechanical systems.
• Experience designing, reviewing, or coordinating drawings for electrical installations, air conditioning, refrigeration, fire-protection systems, and special systems.
• Fluency in Spanish is required.
• Applicants must be Panamanian nationals or foreign nationals with permanent residency and a valid work permit for the contract period.
• Current professional license issued by Panama’s Technical Board of Engineering and Architecture is required if the applicant holds a professional degree.

Nice To Haves

• A completed master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Construction Project Management, or another discipline related to the role.
• Experience using AutoCAD to prepare and review technical drawings.
• Experience using Revit, preferably for modeling and coordinating electromechanical systems.
• Experience coordinating and managing construction works or projects using the BIM methodology.
• A completed bachelor’s degree in Electromechanical Engineering will be given due consideration but is not required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in requirements surveys and field visits, helping verify measurements, existing conditions, and other technical information needed to design and execute assigned works.
• Support the preparation of technical specifications for contracting and executing works, supplies, and electromechanical installations.
• Support the preparation and review of drawings for electromechanical installations and systems based on surveys, requirements, and technical specifications.
• Help prepare budgets, quantity takeoffs, and calculations for materials, equipment, and components for electromechanical systems.
• Support reviews of applicable legal and technical standards for electrical, air-conditioning and refrigeration, gas, plumbing, fire-protection, and special systems, and report findings to the responsible professional.
• Participate in field visits and technical inspections and support monitoring of INADEH works and projects according to assigned location and project needs.
• Monitor schedules and execution within the assistant’s specialty, checking under professional guidance that work corresponds to drawings, technical specifications, terms of reference, and contractual conditions.
• Review proposed materials, equipment, finishes, and electromechanical systems and prepare technical input for evaluation by the responsible professional.
• Support reviews of contractors’ quality and safety plans and identify and document deviations, deficiencies, or possible technical non-compliance for the responsible professional’s consideration.
• Support efforts to promote construction quality, efficient use of materials and resources, and sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions.
• Review and verify technical documentation submitted by contractors, identifying possible inconsistencies with requirements and contractual conditions.
• Compile and prepare technical inputs for analysis of accounts, claims, change orders, additional works, and other requests related to execution.
• Support preparation of technical details and documentation for processing payments with Panama’s Comptroller General in accordance with project progress.
• Support preparation of satisfaction certifications for assigned works by collecting and preliminarily verifying information on schedules, drawings, specifications, and contractual conditions.
• Prepare weekly and periodic technical reports on activities and progress of assigned works.
• Prepare preliminary records and reports about incidents, deficiencies, or possible non-compliance found during field visits.
• Collect and prepare technical information on assigned works to support project monitoring and decision-making.
• Provide technical assistance within the specialty to activities and initiatives under the project and UNDP Country Programme, under professional guidance.
• Participate in training project staff on internal procedures and support training and capacity-building activities as needed.
• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Maintain organized records of project data, field activities, case studies, human-interest stories, photographs, and other materials for knowledge sharing and advocacy.
• Perform other duties within the functional profile as needed for efficient functioning of the project, office, and organization.

Benefits

• Authorized official travel, lodging, and meal expenses arising from approved missions or activities are covered by the project, in accordance with applicable rules and procedures.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED