Engineering Assistant (multiple positions), Multiple positions

UNOPS's mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments, and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure, and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation, and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peace-building contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical, and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has caused significant disruptions to the supply chain and to the overall availability of services. In light of the reduced or even absent provision of public services, communities have adopted various coping strategies, including using alternate water and energy sources, relying on alternate service providers and community-based service delivery initiatives to address the shortfall.

Physical damage to infrastructure and the lack of functionality in one sector often spills over into other sectors with significant consequences on both the access to, and quality of services, which are often interrelated. 

 The main objective of this project is to provide climate-resilient road access and employment and entrepreneurship opportunities to the food-insecure rural population of Yemen. The project is funded by the World Bank and implemented through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The project activities are expected to complete by end of November 2024. 

The Project has four components:

Component 1: Rural and Village Access Roads Improvement and Maintenance; Sub-Component 1.A: Rehabilitation of Lifeline Rural Access Roads; Sub-Component 1.B: Employment-Intensive Road Maintenance 

Component 2:  Strengthening Management Capacity of Transport Sector Public Institutions 

Component 3: Project implementation and monitoring support, studies and preparatory activities for future projects. 

Component 4:  Contingent emergency response 

We are currently looking for young Yemeni national Engineers with a strong sense of professional and social commitment to join YELCP as Engineering Assistants on internship contracts. This is an opportunity for young Engineers to get some training and work experience in their chosen field of work so that they will be better prepared to be employed in the future. The appointments are for a period of six months.  

The selected candidates will be placed in UNOPS Sana’a Office for the duration of the assignment. Engineering Assistants will work with the senior engineers in the UNOPS Office and contribute to the design, design review, construction supervision, contracts administration and maintenance of public infrastructure.  They will support the experienced professionals by assisting them in various design and construction-related tasks while developing their practical engineering skills to help them in future career development. 

Engineering Assistants will be engaged in activities such as (but not limited to) the following:

• Prepare design documentation for public infrastructure construction, rehabilitation and maintenance works.

• Review designs prepared by other personnel and provide comments for improvement.

• Prepare design reports, progress reports and other technical reports where necessary under the supervision of senior professionals.

• Where possible, participate in sit visits with senior engineers to supervise and monitor construction works.

• Assist in contract  management including taking site measurements, contract variations, QA/QC inspections, keeping site records, and health, safety, social and environmental inspections.

• Assist in project procurement matters such as preparing tender documents, tendering, contract negotiations, and awards.

• Assist in the implementation of UNOPS and World Bank environmental and social management systems including maintaining a high level of health and safety standards on construction sites.