Lead Geotechnical Engineer- Retainer

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMC sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and South Africa. This includes transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and island states.

UNOPS undertakes a number of infrastructure projects in the Africa region.  The purpose of this role would be to provide advice where these projects require specialist geotechnical input.

The The Lead Geotechnical Engineer -Retainer will be prepared to travel to any site in or around the countries under KEMC as required and as UNDSS permits. He/she shall be responsible for accuracy, interpretation, analysis of all data received and for reporting on conclusion and recommendations reached. The scope of work to be carried by him/her shall broadly include but not limited to the functions detailed below:

Technical tasks: 

      (a) Desk Study

• Desk review of available data

• Define scope of field study to be undertaken

         (b) Field Study 

• Inform geotechnical investigations to assess suitability of materials, subsurface parameters to be investigated, prescribe tests to be subjected to materials and the appropriate procedures and standards to be followed for various civil & structural projects

• Review in situ field and laboratory test results and make technical recommendation to aid the design of various civil & structural projects

• Guide geotechnical investigation contractors on site and in the laboratory where necessary

• Analyse raw data and using relevant softwares, carry out geotechnical engineering analysis such as rock and slope stability and make technical recommendations.

Analysis and reporting: 

• Photos, sketches or marked up drawings to support data

• Final Report of findings and recommendations

• Produce any appropriate documentation identified by the project lead

Knowledge sharing;

• Provide technical support, training and capacity building to project teams as required.

• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building

Impact of Results 

• Optimized engineering of civil and structural works

• High quality reporting 

• Improved staff capacity

• Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Geotechnics, Soil Mechanics, Engineering Geology or similar discipline is required

• University Degree (Bachelor’s degree / first level) in any of the above disciplines with  two (2) additional years of relevant work experience will be accepted in lieu of the  educational  requirement outlined above.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Geotechnics, Soil Mechanics, Engineering Geology or similar with at least 3 years of specific experience in Geotechnical  engineering, or Materials Science or Materials Engineering field is required

• Minimum of 2 years working in Africa is desirable

• Registered with a recognized professional engineering regulatory body is required

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.