Lead Civil Engineer

Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMC)

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMCO sub-region currently consists of a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and Southern Africa. This includes transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and a portfolio of  infrastructure and development projects in Mozambique, Somalia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania and several island states.

Project Information: 

The Zantchito Skills for Jobs Programme supports the strengthening and practical implementation of Malawi’s Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET) policy towards economic improvement through human capital development. The Malawi Ministry of Labour (MoL) has set an overall vision for a modern TEVET system led by the government but working closely with productive sectors and industries and responding directly to the changing competence needs and qualification requirements in the labour market. Utilising existing colleges, up to four Colleges of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) will be identified and supported to act as lead colleges for skills development in accordance with labour market needs. 

UNOPS’s roles in this programme include the rehabilitation of existing buildings or construction of new buildings for the four TVET centers as appropriate, the procurement of quality workshop equipment (including installation) and the development of a maintenance programme. These activities are funded by the European Commission (EC). 

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, the Lead Civil Engineer will give his/her technical expertise as required to lead the technical supervision and construction monitoring of rehabilitation works including the calculation of quantities. Travel will be expected to remote sites.

The Lead Civil Engineer shall be responsible for the progress control and quality control of construction works. S/He will be responsible for supervision of all works of the contractor and thereby ensure onsite quality control of construction works. Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following substantive tasks:

• Review and analyse existing documents.

• Review and analyse investigation reports.

• Review and verify payment certificates.

• Supervise site engineers.

• Calculate quantities.

• Liaise with technical, procurement colleagues and client and funding representatives as required.

• Monitor implementation progress to ensure quality, safety and efficiency.

• Advanced University Degree in Civil & Structural Engineering, Architecture, Geotechnical Engineering or other relevant discipline is required. 

• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of 5 additional years of relevant professional experience in Architecture, Civil & Structural Engineering or other relevant discipline may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Architecture, Civil & Structural Engineering Design and implementation is required.

• Experience in site supervision is an asset.

• Experience in construction activities incorporating vertical structures is an asset. 

• Experience working on projects in conflict/disaster prone areas is an asset.

• Experience working in Africa and Indian Ocean Islands is an asset.

• Excellent written and spoken English language is required.

1. Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
2. Contract level: ICS10 (LICA 10)
3. Contract duration : Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

• 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

• 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.