Lead Civil Engineer

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNOPS, which stands for the United Nations Office for Project Services. Established to support the implementation of sustainable development solutions, UNOPS operates in over 17 countries across the Asia Pacific region, including Papua New Guinea. The organization focuses on delivering high-quality infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management services. UNOPS aims to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through its various operating units, ensuring operational excellence and alignment with organizational goals. The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, oversees these operations and provides strategic leadership. UNOPS has been active in Papua New Guinea since 2016, initially partnering with the Global Fund to enhance public health services, and has since expanded its portfolio to include infrastructure and project management initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Lead engineer" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Civil Engineer position is crucial for driving impactful infrastructure projects from conception to completion. The role involves providing technical expertise and support in the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of various infrastructure projects. The incumbent is expected to ensure successful project delivery while adhering to quality standards, timelines, and budgetary constraints. This position requires collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, managing project operations, engaging with stakeholders, overseeing finances, preparing reports, and navigating complex environments with limited resources. The Lead Civil Engineer will play a key role in the Milne Bay Project, which focuses on delivering climate-resilient infrastructure solutions to address water, sanitation, and power supply challenges in Papua New Guinea. This initiative aligns with national development frameworks and aims to empower marginalized populations, contributing to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Lead Civil Engineer will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including:

• Technical Design and Procurement Support: Preparing design briefs and concept design reports, managing the concept design review process, and submitting requisitions to coordinate with the procurement unit. This includes developing tender documents, evaluating tenders, and issuing works contracts.
• Construction Works Supervision: Providing expert advice on engineering issues, contributing to project plans, managing contractors, and ensuring compliance with technical documentation. Regular reporting to project managers and maintaining cooperation with construction supervisors and local authorities is essential.
• Quality Assurance: Implementing quality control procedures to ensure all infrastructure activities are managed and reported in accordance with UNOPS policies. This includes supervising construction materials and ensuring compliance with health and safety procedures.
• Monitoring and Progress Control: Conducting needs assessments, reviewing contractor plans, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. The engineer will hold site coordination meetings and provide site visit reports on project activities.
• Knowledge Building and Sharing: Assisting with capacity building for local personnel, documenting lessons learned, and maintaining project documentation. Participation in meetings and consultations to gather feedback and foster relationships is also expected.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related fields with at least 7 years of relevant experience. Alternatively, a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in the same fields with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience is acceptable. A professional engineering license or registration is highly desirable, along with additional certifications in project management or relevant technical fields. Strong knowledge of project management principles, including budgeting, scheduling, and quality control, is essential for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Lead Civil Engineer position includes a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related fields. A Master’s degree in these areas is preferred and can substitute for some years of experience. Candidates should have a solid foundation in engineering principles and practices, as well as familiarity with project management methodologies.

Experience:
The position requires relevant experience in civil engineering, infrastructure projects, or similar fields. Candidates should have proven experience in managing and coordinating water and sanitation projects, including design and construction supervision. Experience in producing drawings, Bill of Quantities (BoQs), specifications, and design reports is necessary. Familiarity with working alongside government agencies, international organizations, and stakeholders involved in health infrastructure projects is also important. Proficiency in using computer-aided design (CAD) software and managing FIDIC contracts is desired.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both written and spoken forms. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as mid-level, with an ICS level of 1

• The contract type is ICA - LICA - Specialist - Regular, and the contract level is LICA 1
• The duration of the contract is open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups. The organization conducts background checks on all final candidates to ensure a safe and respectful workplace.