Engineer (Civil and/or Structural), CST II, Juba South Sudan

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ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

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WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE: Engineer (Civil and/or Structural)

TYPE OF CONTRACT: International Consultant Level II (CST- ll)

UNIT/DIVISION: Engineering Unit / South Sudan Country Office

DUTY STATION (City, Country): Juba, South Sudan

DURATION:11 Months (renewable subject to performance and funding availability)                                                                                              

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Country Context:  

South Sudan presents one of the most logistically challenging operational contexts in the world, characterized by logistic gaps, demographic constraints, ongoing insecurity, and severely degraded infrastructure. Roads and other basic infrastructure are inadequate for the delivery of humanitarian cargo and are heavily affected by seasonality. The rainy season, lasting from May to November, renders nearly 70 percent of the country inaccessible.

WFP South Sudan-Engineering Works:

The Engineering Unit within WFP South Sudan implements and manages a diverse portfolio of infrastructure projects in support of humanitarian operations and community resilience. The portfolio spans roads, bridges, airstrips, flood protection structures, ports, warehouses, offices, accommodation facilities, water infrastructure, and other operational assets.

Road rehabilitation and maintenance and flood protection structures constitute an essential part of the infrastructure portfolio. Engineers in the unit work closely with logistics and programme counterparts and coordinate with key stakeholders including United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the South Sudanese Ministry of Roads and Bridges. Projects are implemented in three phases: an inception phase involving baseline data collection, road selection, detailed surveys, and preparation of implementation and contract documents; followed by an implementation phase involving improvement and maintenance of selected priority roads through engagement of local contractors; and finally, maintenance of roads to maintain trafficability. WFP South Sudan is prioritising the use of community-driven, labour-intensive work techniques through communities. This approach is designed to enhance local ownership and change behaviour to ensure the sustainability of implemented infrastructure.

Beyond community benefit, infrastructure works are fundamental to WFP operational continuity and efficiency. Functional roads, airstrips, warehouses, and operational facilities directly enable WFP to pre-position food, deploy staff, and sustain supply chains across South Sudan's most remote and difficult-to-reach areas — particularly during the rainy season when access deteriorates rapidly. Investment in infrastructure is therefore an investment in WFP's ability to deliver its humanitarian mandate reliably, at scale, and at reduced operational cost. 

Background and Purpose of the Assignment  

To strengthen technical capacity to design, implement, and manage infrastructure projects and support growing sustainability requirements, the Engineering Unit seeks to engage a qualified Engineer with demonstrated experience in both horizontal and vertical infrastructure, community-based labor-intensive maintenance programmes, and strong project management and procurement capability.

The Engineer will provide technical leadership and project management support in the planning, design, procurement, implementation, supervision, maintenance, and sustainability of engineering projects across the operational area. The incumbent will support the Head of Engineering in ensuring that all projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on time, within budget, and in compliance with applicable engineering standards and organizational requirements.

The Engineer will spend approximately 40% of their time undertaking field missions to oversee the implementation of infrastructure projects throughout the country.

Key Accountabilities (not all-inclusive)

• Technical Design and Planning: Lead project identification, feasibility studies, site surveys, and technical assessments. Prepare engineering designs, drawings, specifications, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), cost estimates, and complete tender packages to professional standards. Review and approve contractor and consultant designs; provide authoritative technical recommendations. Establish standard unit rate analyses calibrated to local market conditions. Ensure compliance with relevant engineering codes, standards, and organizational requirements.

• Construction Supervision and Quality Assurance: Direct and supervise construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance works at all project stages. Monitor contractor performance; conduct systematic site inspections and QA reviews; verify quantities and certify milestone payments. Approve contractor submissions including method statements, shop drawings, and material test data. Enforce environmental, social, health and safety ( ESHS ) requirements; maintain the project risk register.
• Infrastructure Portfolio Management: Provide full technical coverage across the Engineering Unit portfolio — roads, bridges, culverts, drainage, airstrips, flood protection structures, ports, river infrastructure, warehouses, offices, accommodation facilities, and water supply and sanitation systems.
• Community Labour-Driven Maintenance (CLDM) and Sustainability: Design and lead CLDM programmes including establishment of Road Maintenance Groups (RMGs) and community maintenance groups. Develop maintenance plans, sustainability frameworks, SOPs, and community financing mechanisms. Deliver capacity-building and on-the-job training; promote gender-inclusive participation and local ownership; document and disseminate lessons learned and best practices.
• Procurement and Contract Management: Prepare scopes of work, specifications, evaluation criteria, and BoQs. Manage bid evaluations and contract award processes. Administer contracts including variations, claims, extensions of time, and final accounts. Ensure compliance with procurement regulations and donor requirements; prepare project completion reports at contract closure.
• Project Management, Reporting, and Coordination: Develop and maintain work plans, schedules, budgets, and resource plans. Establish comprehensive project records. Prepare high-quality progress, risk, and performance reports for management and donors. Coordinate with the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, UNMISS, humanitarian partners, communities, contractors, and internal WFP teams. Supervise and mentor national engineers; actively promote professional development.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Engineering Working Group: Support the Head of Engineering in coordinating and engaging with internal and external stakeholders on all engineering matters. This includes active participation in and support to the Engineering Working Group, representing WFP's engineering interests, sharing technical updates, and contributing to inter-agency coordination on infrastructure planning and implementation across South Sudan. Frequent travel to remote and operationally challenging field locations is required (approximately 40% of time).

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education:

Advanced University Degree (master's level) in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Construction Management/Engineering, Project Management or a closely related field; or a First University Degree with additional years of relevant experience and/or professional training.

Experience:

For master's degree holders: a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in civil engineering and infrastructure project delivery. For first-degree holders: a minimum of Nine (9) years of the above experience is required.

• Demonstrated expertise in horizontal infrastructure: roads, bridges, drainage, airstrips, ports, and flood protection works.
• Demonstrated expertise in vertical infrastructure: buildings, warehouses, offices, and accommodation facilities.
• Experience managing contractors under FIDIC-based and other standard construction contracts. Team supervision experience is required.
• Proven track record in community labor-driven maintenance programmes, including establishment of RMGs or equivalent community structures.
• Experience in humanitarian, development, government, or international organization contexts is highly desirable.
• Experience in remote or post-conflict environments is an advantage. Familiarity with the South Sudan context is an asset.
• Registered Professional Engineer with a recognized national or regional engineering regulatory body; institutional membership required.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong knowledge of engineering designs, technical standards, Specifications, simulation, and engineering software application for analysis and problem solving
• Strong project management knowledge: MS Project, Gantt charts, logical frameworks.
• Sound procurement and contract management expertise include competitive bidding and FIDIC contracts.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD or equivalent; ability to prepare high-standard designs, BoQs, specifications, and tender documentation.
• Strong analytical, communication, and technical report-writing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently; strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Project).

Languages:

Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Arabic or local South Sudanese languages is an advantage.

Remark:

The recruitment process may serve as a roster for the same or lower grade level positions at different duty stations subject to future operational needs.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

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REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

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• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.