Civil Engineer

Job Posting Organization:
The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, focusing on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices in North, West, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa, the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Job Overview:
The engineer" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Civil Engineer manages and supervises infrastructure works carried out by implementing partners and contractors. The role is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day design, construction, and procurement activities, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. The Civil Engineer embeds best practices in technical design and construction management throughout the project lifecycle from planning to handover, while expected to uphold strict compliance with Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) standards and Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) requirements. The incumbent also demonstrates strong technical expertise, proactive resource management, and the ability to ensure integrity, transparency, and effective stakeholder coordination in all civil engineering activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Project Management and Coordination: Plan, supervise, and manage the implementation of civil engineering projects from design to completion, ensuring alignment with project requirements, timelines, and budgets. Support the Project Manager and technical team in planning, scheduling, and implementing rehabilitation, construction, and infrastructure activities. Assist in the preparation of project plans, schedules, and progress reports, and support project closure activities. Liaise with government authorities, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders to secure permits, ensure approvals, and maintain strong working relationships. Participate in site meetings, procurement activities, and evaluation committees as needed.
• Construction Supervision and Quality Assurance: Review and provide inputs on design briefs, technical documentation, bills of quantity (BoQs), and cost estimates to ensure compliance with international standards, UNOPS guidelines, and client requirements. Conduct on-site technical assessments and inspections to ensure construction work adheres to UNOPS quality standards and project specifications. Assist in the review of technical submittals, progress reports, and invoices from consultants and contractors, and recommend payment releases. Monitor performance tracking systems and identify potential delays or cost overruns. Support the valuation of construction work for payment certificates and assessment of claims. Supervise and monitor contractors’ and implementing partners’ work to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery. Conduct site inspections, testing, verification of quantities, and review of technical submittals (shop drawings, materials, as-built documentation).
• HSSE Compliance: Ensure full compliance with UNOPS HSSE policies, environmental safeguards, and PSEAH standards. Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to HSSE and community engagement. Promote sustainability and green construction practices across all project phases.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of site activities, inspections, incidents, and progress, ensuring timely submission of reports (weekly/monthly/quarterly). Support project closure through commissioning, handover, and archiving of construction documentation. Assist in compiling periodic and specific reports, and ensure all project documentation is up-to-date and properly filed. Support the Project Manager in overseeing change controls, risk and issue registers, and ensure timely and accurate reporting on project progress.
• Knowledge Building and Sharing: Support the organization, facilitation, and delivery of training and learning sessions on civil engineering-related topics. Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned.

Required Qualifications:

• Required: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Structural Engineering, or related fields with 2 years of relevant experience, OR Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 0 years of relevant experience is required.
• Desired: A recognized professional certification or membership in a civil engineering association, at the national or international level, is desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Structural Engineering, or related fields. Alternatively, a Master’s degree in any of the aforementioned fields is acceptable, particularly if the candidate has no prior experience. This educational foundation is crucial as it provides the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to effectively manage and supervise civil engineering projects.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for this position includes relevant work in civil engineering, structural works, construction technology, construction supervision, and monitoring, or related areas. Candidates with experience in multicultural environments or within UN system organizations in a developing country are preferred. Additionally, experience in development or humanitarian contexts is highly desirable, as it equips the candidate with the understanding and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of such environments.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is fluency in French. Additionally, fluency in English and Portuguese is desirable, as these languages may be beneficial for communication within the organization and with stakeholders. Fluency in Guinea-Bissau Creole is also considered a valuable asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with local communities and partners effectively.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified at the Associate seniority level and falls under the ICS Level 0

• The contract type is ICA - LICA - Specialist - Regular, with a contract level of LICA
• The posting start date is 11-Aug-2026, and the posting end date is 25-Aug-202
• The duration of the contract is ongoing. UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not request candidates to make payments during the recruitment process. Applications must be submitted before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. UNOPS is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunity, encouraging applications from a wide range of nationalities, cultures, and backgrounds.