Civil Engineer, Multiple positions

UNOPS Horn of Africa Multi- Country Office (HAMCO) is recruiting for this position: Civil Engineer based in Juba, South Sudan.

Please note that the projects associated with this position has a duration of two years.

The civil Engineer is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. The main responsibility of a Civil Engineer is to work closely with the Infrastructure Project Manager and PMs to ensure that projects outputs are delivered within the specified project tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. He/she is expected to meet the organization’s performance and delivery goals.

The Civil Engineer, together with the Infrastructure Project Manager  are responsible for creating the Implementation Plan, using the Project Initiation Document (PID), Legal Agreement and having a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders, to ensure the project(s) outputs are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the partner(s). Success of the project(s) and hence of the Civil Engineer will be based on the defined Success Criteria. 

Local Context: 

Established in 2011, UNOPS South  Office has been providing services to various partners, including the government of South Sudan, UN agencies such as WHO, UNHCR and WFP, and other international organizations. The UNOPS South Sudan Country office team is composed of approximately 100 plus national and international women and men, and offers a broad range of services such as infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial and human resources management. 

Project Information:

UNOPS on behalf of the Government of South Sudan under the Ministry of Gender , Child and Social Welfare (MGCSW) with funding from the World bank is implementing a project known as South Sudan Women’s Empowerment Project ( SSWSEEP).The project shall run for 18 months and will cover 3 regions of Central Equatoria, Western Bahr El ghazal and Eastern Equatoria State.

There will be construction of  2 new Women Economic Community Center (WECCs) in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State and  Wau/Western Bahr el Ghazal State, this is  to provide spaces for women and adolescent girls to access social protection and economic empowerment skills and services.  A new Safe House will be  constructed in Juba/Central Equatoria State to provide an alternative and temporary shelter to survivors of violence. Also in Juba Central Equatoria State, there will be a construction of the Ministry of Gender HQs, this is  to create an enabling working environment for the MGCSW to deliver its mandate on Gender Equality and women's empowerment.

Separately, UNOPS is also implementing the Nimule One Stop Border Post and Market Project, designed to be a climate-resilient, efficient and safe project that aims to deliver logistics infrastructure in the form of a One Stop Border Post (OSBP) Administration Building and a Market Building that will provide much-needed office space for government agencies, creating a centralized environment for customs, immigration, and other regulatory authorities and equally facilitate the centralization of cross border trade between South Sudan and Uganda. Specifically, the above project objectives are intended to contribute to the overall EU Trade and Transport Facilitation Measures actioned to help equipped the Nimule OSBP and Market project with essential utilities such as dual-source electric power and sanitation facilities, and will also provide secure space for ICT equipment that supports automated processes to enhance operational efficiency. This investment will not only improve trade facilitation but also ensure that the infrastructure is climate-resilient, minimizing the environmental impact of trade activities.

The Civil Engineer will be responsible for assisting the project development processes, participating in assessment, development of BOQs and preparation of bid documents. The position holder will be assisting the UNOPS South Sudan office in construction supervision and technical assessments of infrastructure projects in Juba and different sites across the country. The position requires frequent travel to project sites in all regional states of South Sudan .  

Under the direct supervisor of the Project Manager the Civil Engineer will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Support the Project Manager to develop and monitor Work Package implementation plans including:

• Overall Infrastructure Work and delivery plans, stage plans within tolerances set by the project board and in line with overall Project Plan

• Quality Management Plans

• Health & Safety and Social & Environment (HSSE) plans

• Support the Project Manager in the development, refinement and review of Infrastructure Human Resource  plans and Budgets.

• Actively support the Project Manager to ensure accurate and timely reporting of work package progress as well as conditions on site through daily/weekly site records.

• Prepare and submit to the Project Manager reports (weekly/monthly or as requested) detailing progress of work-package activities, quality control issues, resourcing and scheduling issues, and any other pertinent facts as required.

• Support the Project Manager to ensure stakeholders are aware of work package activities, progress, exceptions as required

• Produce any appropriate documentation identified by the Project Manager in a professional and accurate manner.

• Contribute to monthly reports and quarterly assurance reports.

• Liaise with any external suppliers or other managers.

• Carry out Technical Assessments of infrastructure needs with recommendations for viable interventions

• Support PM in preparing presentations and reports on the findings of the conducted Technical Assessments

• Support the Project Manager to outline design requirements (e.g. timeline) in full compliance with the Design Management Manual, including but not limited to engaging design services advising on requirements for design briefs, preparing design risk assessments, developing concept, and detailed designs as well as design review stages.

• Support the Project Manager to monitor and manage the design plan ensuring deliverables are available on time, and to the required quality.

• Coordinate market research to inform the development of BoQ.

• Liaise with Environmental and Social Safeguards specialists to ensure mitigation plans are mainstreamed into detailed designs and tender packages where possible;

• Contribute and coordinate to the preparation of tender documents, with particular focus on the technical documents (drawings, BoQ, technical specification and standards).

• Coordinates, oversees and provides guidance on the management of all construction work implemented by the project.

• Support the Project Manager to plan, coordinate, monitor and manage construction activities up to the end of DNP in line with UNOPS infrastructure implementation plan and construction work schedule.

• Spearhead the creation of work plans, progress tracking tools and construction contracts; monitor and manage contracts.

• Plan, Coordinate and Monitor construction including pre-commissioning and commissioning activities,  and provide direction to contractors and engineers to ensure that construction/project milestones and objectives are achieved as per infrastructure implementation plan.

• Where required, assist the Contractors to plan and coordinate monthly, weekly and daily construction activities including monitoring site safety and construction quality.

• Regularly review/ track construction progress, attend to contract breaches, interpret and communicate contract terms

• Review and facilitate processing of payment certificates, claims and or changes submitted by suppliers and contractors.

• Conduct periodic site visits & local inspections to physically witness progress and quality of construction work.

• Prepare mission reports, technical recommendations and guidance to the PM and contractor to ensure cost effective works.

• Ensure the full implementation of UNOPS Health, Safety Social and Environmental (HSSE) policies during the construction stage

• Review and periodically update quality management plan and associated documents.

• Ensure that field engineers enforces fair labor practices/law by contractors/suppliers

• Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize them productively.

• Support the Project Manager in facilitating routine and effective capacity building activities aimed at building long-term and sustainable capacity for technical staff.

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

• Support in the establishment of regular performance monitoring system ensuring reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely

• As needed, support the PM in the recruitment of the technical team

• Facilitate training to team members as required and take into account gender parity and diversity objectives

The Civil Engineer will be supported by the Infrastructure Project Manager, IPAS legal, the the HAMCO South Sudan office procurement team, and the project manager. The incumbent  will represent UNOPS in the field, as directed by the Project, to ensure that UNOPS procedures and the standards adhere to all project implementation activities.

• University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree / first level) in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management  or related field is required.
• An advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Civil Engineering Architecture, Construction Management  or related field is an asset and may substitute 2 years of experience.
• Project Management certification (e.g. PRINCE2 Foundation) is desirable. 

• A minimum of four (4) years experience working in infrastructure projects is required.  

• Experience working in civil infrastructures and project management is an asset.

• Experience in Health and Safety Social and Environmental management  and protection is desirable.

• Experience in supervision of construction activities and/or system plants is an asset.

• Work experience in post-conflict/ fragile environments and hardship is desirable.

• Competence in the use of all commonly used computer software – spreadsheet, scheduling tools, MS project, Google Suite, AutoCad and other computer programmes is an added advantage.

• Some experience in the UN system organizations and/or a developing country is desirable.

1. Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
2. Contract level: LICA9(ICS9)
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘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. 

• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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.

• This is a local position. As such, it is only open to South Sudanese nationals only

• This position is based in a non family duty station

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.