Civil Engineer, Multiple positions

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 6,000 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.

Local Context: The UNOPS Hub in Amman implements projects on behalf of UN agencies and bilateral donors and in close coordination with the Government and national authorities. With an established presence across the region, the office runs operations including large-scale procurement, project development and technical management, and provides financial, human resources and infrastructure-related services. 

The functional objective of UNOPS Hub in Amman is to deliver its projects in an efficient and effective manner and in line with the principles, rules, and regulations of UNOPS, to achieve the outcomes sought by the clients. 

UNOPS has been active in Lebanon since 2015, delivering projects in support of the Government of Lebanon and partners. Since the explosion at the Beirut Port on 4 August 2020, UNOPS has significantly scaled up its presence in the country to support the humanitarian response and both its presence and portfolio have undergone expansion.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS. 

UNOPS is committed to achieving a fully diverse workforce. 

Project Information: 

The Civil Engineer will be working under the Project Manager on construction, rehabilitation and infrastructure  projects.

• coordinating the day-to-day design and implementation of construction, and procurement activities under the projects.

• ensuring that the best practices and techniques of key technical design and construction management work areas are embedded in project implementation from planning to handover phase. In particular, the Civil Engineer will support in ensuring that  all the design, construction and procurement activities are implemented in compliance with quality assurance requirements, including through a proper mobilization and management of resources and ensuring that Health, Safety, Social and Environmental- HSSE management and Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment- PSEAH practices are implemented within the design and implementation of the activities under the projects.

The Civil Engineer, shall:

• Support in maintaining records for all site memos and instructions, inspections, testing, shop drawings review, measured quantities of work and material on site, photos, etc.
• Participate in identifying risks, proposing mitigation measures and solutions, and escalate issues where deemed necessary.
• Support the Project Manager, in the below tasks:
• Engaging relevant Project Team Members during the implementation of the design and the implementation of rehabilitation, construction, and infrastructure activities as per the project requirements, assessing and incorporating the extent of their input into the projects.
• preparing progress reports on rehabilitation, construction, and infrastructure activities, according to the agreed timeframe of works and submission of such on a weekly basis to the Project Manager.
• Planning, supervising, and managing the checking, verification of the quantity survey, payment requests submitted by Consultants/ Suppliers/ Contractors, and submit detailed reports in this respect with recommendations to the Project Manager.
• Planning, supervising, and managing project closure plans, and reporting back to the Project Manager.
• Participating in site meetings as and when needed.
• Liaising, coordinating, developing and maintaining good working relationships with the stakeholders (Beneficiary, governmental entities, etc..) such as for obtaining necessary permits and approvals.
• Ensuring compliance with UNOPS Organizational Directives, Administrative Instructions, Project Management Manual and UNOPS Construction Templates.
• Assisting in the management of the project information flows and overseeing change controls, risk and issue registers by conducting oversight procedures.
• preparation of reports.
• Ensuring accurate and timely reporting of progress and conditions on site through daily site records prepared and submitted by the Project Team in accordance with UNOPS procedures and practices.
• Assisting the Project Manager in the timely preparation of various types of reports (Monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual, ad-hoc, etc..) and presentations pertaining to the implementation of the projects.
• Supporting Quarterly Assurance, HSSE, and PSEAH inspections and reporting, following up with Project Team Members to prepare reports on incidents and provide information for daily/ weekly/ monthly/ quarterly assurance and yearly reporting to the Head of Programme and the Project Management Office.

Under the direct supervision of and in coordination with the Project Manager, the Civil Engineer shall support in performing the below functional responsibilities:

1. Technical tasks.

2. Administrative Tasks.

3. Knowledge building and sharing.

• Work closely, with the Project Manager and the Project Team Members in the planning and scheduling of tasks and resources allocation.
• Support in performing the tasks in accordance with the applicable Quality Management plan (QMP)/ Quality Assurance (QA)/ Quality Control (QC) protocols and regulations and requirements.
• Assist in planning, supervising and managing the review of design briefs, design reports, comprehensive design documentation, calculations, drawings, specifications, schedules, Bills of Quantities, Cost Estimations, related reports, and other project documents of civil engineering  projects, ensuring compliance with the relevant international standards and codes, good engineering practices, client’s requirement, UNOPS design manual, project requirements and budget, including identifying improvements in the designs.
• Support in undertaking a thorough on-site technical assessment of the targeted locations and decentralized services to confirm the selection and to define the detailed scope of works.
• Support in advising on feasibility, costings, timelines and requirements.
• Participate in performing inspections and report on contractor’s works in progress ensuring that the contractor meets UNOPS quality standards.
• Assist in producing terms of references for consultancy services.
• Assist in the elaboration and finalization of the bidding documents for the solicitation of proposals for consultancy services, supply of goods, as well as works construction.
• Support in liaising with the procurement officials and the pertinent Project Team Members to schedule and coordinate all the necessary activities related to the procurement activities and to ensure that the Consultants’ Terms of Reference as well as technical sections of the supply of goods and works implementation tender documents are prepared in compliance with UNOPS Procurement Manuals and standard bidding documents.
• Participate in proposals’ evaluation committees.
• Support in providing responses to the queries raised by stakeholders and UNOPS Design Review Team during review of the design package.
• Assist in planning, supervising and managing the engagement of retainers and support staff in the activities (Review of consultants’ and contractors’ deliverables, sites visit, receiving and inspection of goods, testing and commissioning of works and installations, etc..).
• Support in planning, supervising, managing, and preparing implementation schedules (utilizing Primavera, MS Project, etc.,), and contribute to performing periodic updates and revisions of the schedules to meet the targets.
• Assist in reviewing progress and financial reports (invoices) submitted by consultant/ suppliers/        contractors and recommend to the Project Manager the release of payments after technical assessment.
• Assist in planning, supervising, managing, and carrying out technical reviews (of the Consultants’, Suppliers’, or Contractors’ technical submittals, materials catalog sheets, Shop Drawings, As-Built Drawings, reports, deliverables, etc.), conducting site inspections, assessments, quantity surveying and preparing reports as required and providing advice on suitable alterations, guiding contractors on all related issues, and ensuring that they meet the high standards expected by UNOPS, while delivering the projects within the set time and budget constraints and the signed contracts.
• Assist in keeping files for all given tasks and instructions, measuring quantities of work and material on site.
• Assist in planning, supervising, and managing testing, commissioning, training, and handing over of goods/systems deliverables to clients.

• Assist in the coordination and follow up with the contractors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Assist in planning, supervising, and managing scheduling requested tasks.
• Assist in planning, supervising, and managing the up keeping of engineering related materials and records, compile periodic reports and any specific reports required by UNOPS standard procedures;
• Assist in ensuring timely delivery of and reporting on the expected outputs of his/her tasks and highlighting possible late delivery prior to the event.
• Assist in performing other related duties as requested by the Project Manager.
• Contribute to embedding sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, as well as HSSE and PSEAH aspects into the project during the design and works’ implementation phases.

• Contribute to the project evaluation process, highlighting challenges associated with the project and feedback into a continuous improvement cycle.
• Assist in providing training and knowledge transfer to the Project Team Members, consultant/contractor personnel, including advice on sound construction and engineering practices, and appropriate HSSE requirements during construction.
• Assist in the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.
• Participate in documenting feedback and reporting on lessons learnt, with an aim towards continuous improvement of working practices.

• A Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering/ Structural Engineering from a recognized University is required.
• Membership of the Lebanese Order of Engineers and Architects (Beirut or Tripoli) is an asset.
• Possession of Project Management Certificate is an asset.

• At least two (2) years or more of experience in designing and supervising construction of civil and structural works is required.
• Experience in designing and supervising construction of buildings is desirable.
• Work experience with an international organization and/or UN Agencies is an asset.
• Knowledge of UNOPS/UN rules and regulations is an advantage.

• Experience in computer design software, particularly AutoCAD latest version is required.
• Experience in computer scheduling software, particularly Primavera and/or MS Projects is desirable.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and cloud-based office software packages (Google Suite) is desirable.
• Computer ability in using specialized Civil Engineering design software is desirable.
• Experience in handling web-based management systems is desirable.

• Fluency in English and Arabic are required. 

• 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.