Senior Structural Engineer

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Position Title: Senior Structural Engineer
Location: Dakar
Country: Senegal
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, established to support the successful implementation of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects globally. UNOPS acts as a central resource for the UN, providing sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to various governments, donors, and UN organizations. The UNOPS office in Dakar, Senegal, has built strong relationships with West African governments and international partners, focusing on strategic development areas such as elections, procurement capacity building, environmental protection, and infrastructure rehabilitation and development.

Job Overview:
The Senior Structural Engineer plays a crucial role in the Nigeria Erosion & Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), which aims to combat gully erosion and land degradation in Nigeria's targeted watersheds. This position is integral to ensuring that the project aligns with the standards set by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and involves providing technical expertise in structural engineering design and construction. The engineer will engage in daily project operations, site monitoring, and implementation support missions, ensuring that the project meets its performance and delivery goals. The role requires extensive experience in design and construction, with a focus on sustainability and gender inclusivity in project delivery. The engineer will also be expected to travel within Nigeria as required, adhering to safety protocols set by the United Nations Department of Safety and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security (UNDSS).

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Structural Engineer will be responsible for advising on international good practices in structural engineering, conducting site monitoring and implementation support missions, and providing capacity strengthening to engineering personnel. Specific duties include advising on project planning and scheduling, reviewing structural design procedures, ensuring compliance with quality management plans, and participating in site monitoring visits to assess progress against approved plans. The engineer will also be involved in training and knowledge transfer, timely reporting on project progress, and contributing to the dissemination of best practices and lessons learned. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying risks and developing mitigation strategies, as well as maintaining high standards of documentation and archiving for all engineering products.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in infrastructure development, specifically in structural design and construction. This experience should include at least two years focused on capacity strengthening. Familiarity with government institutions and donor-funded projects is desirable, along with knowledge of UN systems and UNOPS procedures. Experience in design development, construction supervision, quality management, and environmental and social management is also advantageous. Professional certification from a recognized engineering body is preferred, and candidates should demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices and gender inclusivity in their work.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in Civil/Structural Engineering or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in Civil/Structural Engineering combined with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s Degree. This educational background ensures that candidates have the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to perform effectively in the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in infrastructure development, with a strong emphasis on structural design and construction. Candidates should have a proven track record of working on similar projects, including experience in capacity strengthening initiatives. Familiarity with the UN system and experience in donor-funded projects will be considered an asset. Additionally, candidates should have experience in quality management, health and safety management, and environmental and social management, particularly in the context of infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Languages:
Full working knowledge of English is essential for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the UNOPS framework. A working knowledge of French is desirable, given the multilingual context of the region and the potential for collaboration with French-speaking stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The contract type for this position is an Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA), specifically at the International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA 3)/ICS11 level. The contract duration is open-ended, subject to good performance, availability of funds, and organizational requirements. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups. The organization is committed to creating an inclusive working environment and will provide reasonable accommodations for shortlisted candidates during the assessment process. Additionally, all UNOPS personnel are expected to adhere to the UN Charter and UNOPS policies, demonstrating a commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Background checks are conducted on all potential personnel as part of the recruitment process.