Senior Environmental Engineer - Nature-Based Solutions Retainer

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 the 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.

Under Component 1, as a part of the climate change initiatives, UNOPS is expected to implement slope stabilization using bio-engineering techniques over an area of 100,000 square meters in the areas where the roads are rehabilitated under the project.  The Senior Environmental Engineer - Nature-Based Solutions
who will be hired through this process will be required to assist the team in Yemen during the identification of potential areas for slope stabilization using bio-engineering techniques, design such works and submit design documentation to UNOPS for implementation.  

Under the direct supervision of the YELCP Project Manager, the Senior Environmental Engineer - Nature-Based Solutions shall provide professional and technical services by identifying and proposing suitable areas (approximately 100,000 square meters) for slope stabilization using bio-engineering techniques, carrying out designs for such works in the areas identified, prepare detailed design documentation and submit drafts for UNOPS review, incorporate comments from UNOPS design review,  and submit final design documentation to UNOPS to be used for construction contracts.  The construction contracts will be implemented and managed by UNOPS starting from 2024. 

Specific responsibilities and duties include, but not limited to, the following:

1 - Identify areas for slope stabilization using bio engineering techniques:

• Liaise with project stakeholders such as the Rural Access Program (RAP), Road Management Fund (RMF), Ministry of Public Works and Highways to collect general and project specific information related to slope stabilization using bio engineering techniques.

• Review the past reports and other information if any on the subject area.

• Study the designs for road rehabilitation projects being implemented under the component 1.A of the project along with topographical maps and other data to identify potential areas for slope stabilization using bio-engineering techniques.

• Prepare and submit a detailed report describing the areas identified for this work for UNOPS and RAP review and comments. The Consultant should note that the areas may be scattered in many parts of Yemen and a number of different packages may have to be developed.

2-     Design of slope stabilization using bio-engineering techniques

• Study bioengineering techniques appropriate for Yemen context and the suitability of such methods for slope stabilization under the project.

• Identify options for using bioengineering techniques for slope stabilization under the project and choose the best methods using analytical techniques.

• For each area identified for slope stabilization using bio-engineering techniques, develop draft concept designs and a report and submit to UNOPS for review.     

• Incorporate comments from UNOPS and other stakeholders and revise the draft concept report and re-submit.

• After UNOPS accepts the concept design report, prepare detailed design drawings and documentation and submit them to UNOPS for review.  The design documentation shall include the detailed drawings, detailed specifications, scope of works documents and Bills of Quantities with estimated costs.  The documentation shall be prepared with sufficient details so that they can be readily incorporated into construction contracts (by UNOPS) and the local construction contractors can understand them without difficulty.

• Prepare final design documentation and submit to UNOPS after incorporating the comments from UNOPS and other stakeholders.

3-     Prepare and submit a final report

• Prepare and submit a final design report for UNOPS approval. The final report shall include, as a minimum, the following:

  • The documents reviewed, stakeholders contacted and the findings of the desk review of relevant documents.

  • Detailed methodology adopted in carrying out the works under this assignment.

  • Assumptions made in the design and the impact of them.

  • Results of the search for locally available bioengineering techniques suitable for the project.

  • Methodology and the details of selecting suitable options and the analytical process carried out to recommend appropriate options.

  • Methodology adopted in carrying out the detailed designs with special considerations for local conditions.

  • Recommendations for construction and maintenance of slope stabilization works proposed.

  • Lessons learned from this assignment for the benefit of future use by UNOPS for similar assignments.

• After submission of the draft final design report, UNOPS and other stakeholders will provide their comments.  The Consultant shall incorporate those comments as appropriate, revise the report and submit the final version to UNOPS.

4- Assist the team during implementation

• During the implementation of previously designed nature base solutions, the consultant shall remain available to monitor progress and advise on needed changes and / or additional measures

• He will revise the reports on the implementation of the above mentioned measures and ensure that the language is correctly reflected in the reports

• He will provide guidance on any additional activities focusing on nature based solutions

Academic qualifications: 

• An advanced degree from a recognized University, preferably in civil engineering or environmental engineering.  Degrees from other disciplines may be accepted if they are relevant to the assignment.   

• A Bachelor’s Degree with additional three years relevant work experience may be accepted provided that the degree and the work experience are relevant to the assignment

Experience:

• Minimum seven (7) years experience in bioengineering is essential.

• A background in road engineering or slope stabilization is desired.

Language Skills

• Fluency in English is required

1. Contract type: ICA - Retainer Contract
2. Contract level: Interbnational ICA 3
3. Contract duration: 3 months input over a period of 6 months (including one month visit to Yemen)

• 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. 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.