Lead Geotechnical Engineer (Retainer), Multiple positions

UNOPS Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office is recruiting for the position of  Lead Geotechnical Engineer-Retainer, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors, and United Nations organizations.  With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical, and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Established in 2009, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) been providing services to various partners, including the Government of Ethiopia, UN agencies such as WHO, UNHCR and WFP, and other international organizations. Since 2014, the UNOPS Ethiopia Multi-Country office (known recently as the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office - HAMCO) manages and coordinates the UNOPS activities in Ethiopia, as well as Sudan, South Sudan and Djibouti. The UNOPS Horn of Africa multi-country office team is composed of approximately 100 national and international women and men and offers a broad range of services such as infrastructure, procurement, project management, and financial and human resources management. 

Position Background

The Lead Geotechnical Engineer (Retainer) will provide technical expertise and support in the planning, execution, and supervision of geotechnical investigations and engineering services for HAMCO and its related infrastructure projects. The Lead Geotechnical Engineer will be responsible for ensuring the quality, accuracy, and reliability of subsurface data, and for delivering sound geotechnical design recommendations to inform the planning, design, and construction of civil and structural works.

The scope of the position includes conducting geotechnical assessments, guiding site investigations, analyzing field and laboratory data, preparing and reviewing ToRs, preparing technical reports, reviewing design drawings and calculations, and advising on foundation systems, slope stability, soil improvement techniques, shoring, and earth retention systems. The role also includes reviewing contractor geotechnical submittals, ensuring adherence to technical standards and project specifications, and contributing to risk mitigation related to ground conditions.

UNOPS-HAMCO undertakes a number of infrastructure projects in Ethiopia, Sudan,  South Sudan and Djibouti.  The purpose of this role would be to provide advice where these projects require specialist geotechnical input.

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

• Advanced university degree (Master's 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.
• Practicing  professional geotechnical engineer licence (PPGE) is required 

• Strong computer skills and advanced working knowledge of google forms are considered an asset.
• Proficiency in specialized geotechnical softwares such as Plaxis, GeoStudio, and SAFE is highly desirable.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• 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 ( they take around 4 hours to complete)  in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.