Senior Geotechnical Engineer (Retainer)

Background Information - Ghana Multi Country Office (GMCO)

GMCO is responsible for managing strategic and operational risks associated with a subset of the regional portfolio of engagements, developing and delivering cost effective services contributing to partners’ sustainable results and achievements of UNOPS management results.

• Liaise and develop engagements, and deliver services responding to partner needs.
• Leverage advice and integrate delivery modalities of the three Delivery Practices and the Global Partner Service Office.
• Maintain appropriate arrangements and capacity for direct transactional support for delivery of the sub-regional portfolio.

Background Information – Sierra Leone 

United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Ghana Multicountry Office (GMCO), located in Accra, Ghana is responsible for projects in Anglophone West Africa, covering Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.  GMCO is responsible for managing strategic and operational risks associated with a subset of the regional portfolio of engagements, developing and delivering cost effective services contributing to partners’ sustainable results and achievements of UNOPS management results.

UNOPS has been established in Sierra Leone since 2000 and currently has 65 personnel in country, operating out of 3 main locations – in Freetown and the other district Field Offices.

During the last 15 years, UNOPS has delivered a variety of infrastructure projects nationwide, particularly in the fields of health and security infrastructure, and has procured a variety of vehicles, non-medical health related items and medical equipment.

The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) embarked on a series of improvements in the health sector in 2010 through the National Health Sector Strategic Plan (NHSSP). With the launch of Free Health Care Initiative (FHCI) in 2010, GoSL took an ambitious approach to reducing financial barriers by introducing health care systems strengthening across all pillars (Governance, Communications, M&E, Drugs and Medical Supplies, Infrastructure, Health Workforce, and Financing). The FHCI was found to be one important factor contributing to improved health care, in particular to coverage and equity of coverage of essential services for mothers and children. 

• Desk review of available data
• Define scope of field study to be undertaken

• Carry out Geotechnical investigation to assess the suitability of the site for the project and provide the geotechnical parameters, which include bearing capacity, soil properties and groundwater conditions required for the safe and economy of design of the structures.

• Carry out Laboratory Testing in relation to the below

• Soil samples retrieved from the various drilled holes will be sent to the Laboratory for further testing. The laboratory test will be conducted in accordance with relevant portions of the British Standards BS 1377‐90 to aid in the description and classification of the soil profile.

• Groundwater samples encountered will be tested for their pH, Chloride and sulphate contents. This will aid in determining the chemical composition of the ground water for recommendations on the type of concrete to be used.

• Raw and analyzed data; presented in a format that can be interrogated for sufficiency and accuracy

• Photos, sketches or marked up drawings to support data

• Record of stakeholder Management activities carried for the purpose of obtaining relevant information and confirming assessment requirements, standards and best practice

• Final Report of findings and recommendations

• Produce any appropriate documentation identified by the Project Manager

• Contribute to the project evaluation process; highlight challenges associated with the project and feedback into a continuous improvement cycle.

• Provide training and knowledge transfer where required.

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

The Senior Geotechnical Engineer shall work diligently with the team in Sierra Leone in meeting the below checkpoints to assure the deliverables of the assignment are on time and to the desired quality.

Specific duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• An Inception Report describing among other things, the scope of assessment and approach and standards to which assessment is to be carried out.

• Field visit reports detailing findings. A standard assessment form should be created and used to capture the necessary information collected in the Field Visits including relevant supporting sketches.

• Submission of Final Report detailing the sites inspected, analysis and recommendations for design.

• Undertake additional tasks as required by the  Project.

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Senior Geotechnical Engineer directly impacts the successful delivery of the project on time, budget and above all the expectations of all stakeholders. This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services. 

A. Education: 

• Advanced university degree (master or equivalent) in Civil Engineering with a major in Geotechnical/ Materials Engineering  is required.

• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) in Civil Engineering with a major in Geotechnical/ Materials Engineering with two (2) additional years of relevant work experience will be accepted in lieu of the  educational  requirement outlined above. 

B. Work Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years' experience with at least five (5) years of specific experience in relevant Geotechnical/Materials Engineering field is required

C. Language: 

• Fluency in English is required. 

• Knowledge of Krio and/or other local languages is an advantage. 

D.Skills and Certifications

Certifications

• Project Management certification (PRINCE2® Foundation, PMP) is desirable.

• Active membership in a professional engineering body will be an added advantage.

Project Management Skills 

• Stakeholder Management

• Health and Safety

• Knowledge Management

• Quality Management

• Scoping studies

• Sustainable development

• Reporting

• Capacity Building

Contextual Skills 

• Experience in Infrastructure in developing country context 

• Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Disaster Risk Reduction

• Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)
• Contract level: LICA 11/ ICS 11
• Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

• 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
• Freetown is a Family Duty Station
• 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
• 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.

Africa Region

AFR helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.