Facility Manager-UniPod / Samsung Mobile Circularity Innovation Lab, Freetown

Description of assignment title

Facility Manager-UniPod / Samsung Mobile Circularity Innovation Lab

Assignment country

Sierra Leone

Duty stations

Freetown

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

10/19/2026

Duration

4 months
(with possibility of extension)

Sustainable Development Goal

8. Decent work and economic growth

Host entity

UNDP

Modality

Onsite

Type

National

Volunteer category

Associate UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sierra Leone supports the United Nations system through its integrated offer, using a people-first approach centred on the ‘leave no one behind’ principle, and a human rights- and area-based development strategy. In alignment with the 2030 Agenda, National Development Plan, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the African Union Agenda 2063, the programme seeks to reduce multidimensional poverty and enhance justice, peace, social cohesion, and resilience with its focus on two pillars: (a) People-centred sustainable development and resilience, prioritising people’s well-being and planetary health and (b) Inclusive governance, peace, and prosperity, embodying harmonious development, effective resource management, and equitable governance. Furthermore, the UNDP comparative advantage includes leveraging global and regional partnerships, working across economic, social, and environmental goals, strengthening good governance, and providing technical and policy-oriented support, all while ensuring national ownership for sustainable outcomes.

Context

 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sierra Leone is actively transforming the local innovation landscape through the timbuktoo University Innovation Pod (UniPod). This dynamic platform is designed to empower young people, university students, and grassroots innovators by providing them with critical access to practical learning environments, advanced prototyping tools, and comprehensive entrepreneurship support.  Building upon this robust foundation, the Samsung Mobile Circularity Initiative serves as a specialized, complementary program focused on the intersection of technology and sustainability. It is strategically designed to build specialized youth capacity in mobile technology and electronics. By teaching critical skills in device repair, reuse, and refurbishment, the initiative tackles the growing challenge of e-waste management while fostering a new generation of leaders in circular innovation.  At the heart of this initiative is the Samsung Mobile Circularity Innovation Lab, physically housed within the UniPod. This lab functions as a dedicated, practical workspace engineered for hands-on learning. It is a collaborative environment where aspiring technologists can engage in deep hardware diagnostics, experimentation, and the rapid prototyping of sustainable tech solutions. To ensure the success of this space, the Facility Manager plays a pivotal role in the day-to-day operational leadership of the Lab. Beyond managing the physical workspace, equipment, and daily hands-on activities, the Facility Manager acts as a vital bridge, seamlessly coordinating the Lab's specialized circularity projects with the broader programmatic goals and events of the wider UniPod facility.

Task description

The National UN Volunteer Associate will support the safe, orderly, and effective operation of the Samsung Mobile Circularity Innovation Lab. Working under the direct supervision of the UniPod Manager and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project team, the incumbent is responsible for routine facility coordination, equipment accountability, activity readiness, and user support, including the following responsibilities:

A. Lab and Facility Operations

• Support the daily opening, closing, and general operational readiness of the Samsung Mobile Circularity Innovation Lab.
• Maintain a clear booking and activity schedule for training sessions, experimentation, circular innovation clubs, demonstrations, and partner visits.
• Coordinate safe, organized, and orderly access to the Lab by students, innovators, facilitators, and approved visitors.
• Ensure workstations, tools, and shared spaces are kept organized and tidy before and after all activities.
• Identify routine facility issues and promptly escalate maintenance, utility, connectivity, security, or infrastructure needs to the UniPod Manager.

B. Equipment and Asset Accountability

• Maintain an updated working inventory of project equipment, tools, electronics, and consumables assigned to the Lab.
• Support equipment sign-out, return, and general user accountability procedures.
• Carry out routine visual checks of hardware and promptly report damaged, missing, or malfunctioning equipment.
• Coordinate closely with the Mobile Computing Associate on the specific equipment needed for technical experiments and active sessions.
• Support periodic asset verification and physical inventory exercises in accordance with established United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) procedures.

C. Safety and Responsible Use:

• Support the implementation of laboratory safety rules, hazard containment, and user orientation procedures.
• Ensure safety signage, basic personal protective equipment (PPE), and operating guidance are clearly visible and accessible.
• Support the safe temporary handling, separation, and containment of electronic waste and reusable components.
• Record and immediately report any incidents, safety hazards, or unsafe equipment-use practices to supervisors.

D. Programme Delivery Support:

• Prepare the physical Lab space for Samsung Mobile Circularity trainings, workshops, bootcamps, hackathons, innovation challenges, and showcases.
• Coordinate space, specialized equipment, and materials with facilitators and incoming technical personnel.
• Assist and support Circular Innovation Clubs when they utilize the UniPod for practical experimentation and prototyping.
• Assist with exhibitions, live demonstrations, and institutional visits by UNDP, Samsung, university leadership, and external partners.

E. Records and Reporting:

• Maintain simple, accurate usage logs for the Lab, tracking active sessions, activities conducted, and participant demographics.
• Keep detailed records of equipment use, calibrations, and repairs.
• Provide concise monthly operational updates focusing on facility utilization rates, equipment status, safety indicators, challenges, and recommended follow-up actions.
• Provide relevant supporting information and qualitative data for overall project monitoring and reporting when requested.

4. Expected Results

• The Samsung Mobile Circularity Innovation Lab remains functional, organized, safe, and ready for programme use.
• Project equipment and tools are consistently accounted for and appropriately stored.
• Trainings and experimentation activities receive timely facility and logistical support.
• Circular Innovation Clubs and young innovators can access the Lab through clear and orderly procedures.
• Operational issues are documented and escalated in a timely manner.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

1 month

Nationality

Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

1 year

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required Krio, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor's degree in Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology Management, Facility/Operations Management, Information Technology, Business Administration or another relevant undergraduate discipline.

Competencies and values

Strong organization and attention to detail. • Responsible approach to equipment, safety and shared facilities. • Ability to work constructively with students, innovators and multidisciplinary teams. • Basic digital record-keeping and Microsoft Office skills. • Good communication and problem-solving skills. • Interest in technology, sustainability, circular economy and youth innovation. • Ability to learn quickly and work effectively under supervision.

Skills and experience

Minimum of one month of relevant experience. Internships, volunteering, student leadership, academic laboratory work, makerspace experience, practical attachments, or comparable early-career experience may be considered.

Area(s) of expertise

Data science, information management, Artificial Intelligence, Digital and social media, Administration

Driving license

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

Freetown is a vibrant, hilly city, with a population of just over one million. Set on a peninsula, you can see the sea from almost any point in the city and you are never far away from some spectacular beaches for swimming and surfing. There are good supermarkets and restaurants, and mobile and internet services are available for a fair price. The number of international flight connections to Sierra Leone is increasing, with more airlines flying to Europe and within Africa. The general security situation is peaceful, and the overall Security Level in Sierra Leone is classified as Low (Level 2) as per the UN security management system. Crime is classified as moderate, with incidents primarily related to property thefts, house break-ins and robberies. Housing in Freetown ranges from independent houses to apartments - available furnished and un-furnished. Most long-stay accommodation are rented by the year or the half-year. Most staff stay in apartments, which come equipped with generators, a water supply, and security guards. The housing situation is constantly improving, with new apartment complexes being built to an increasingly high standard. There are a limited number of international schools in Freetown, with options including American and British international schools, as well as a few smaller independent schools which follow either American or British curricula. UN staff children attend a variety of schools. Staff can access a limited number of healthcare facilities. Access to healthcare in Sierra Leone can be limited, particularly in rural areas. It is essential to have adequate health insurance coverage before moving to the country. Local clinics and hospitals are available but may not offer the same standard of care as in developed countries. Take preventative measures, such as vaccinations and regular check-ups, to maintain your health.

Conditions of Service

Initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment.

A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).

The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated using by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the Inter-national Civil Service Commission (ICSC and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website - http://icsc.un.org.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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