Civil Engineer

The Civil Engineer will be based in Gazanche and serve as the site supervisor and technical focal point for the construction works. The role involves ensuring that all activities are implemented in accordance with approved designs, technical specifications, quality standards, and project schedules. Key responsibilities include monitoring construction progress, verifying completed works, maintaining site documentation, and supporting contractor payment certification. The engineer will also coordinate with local authorities, school leadership, contractors, and community stakeholders to facilitate smooth project implementation while ensuring compliance with UNOPS standards for quality, safety, and accountability.

Role of the Civil Engineer

The Civil Engineer will serve as the site supervisor and technical focal point for the construction works. The role involves ensuring that all activities are implemented in accordance with approved designs, technical specifications, quality standards, and project schedules. Key responsibilities include monitoring construction progress, verifying completed works, maintaining site documentation, and supporting contractor payment certification. The engineer will also coordinate with local authorities, school leadership, contractors, and community stakeholders to facilitate smooth project implementation while ensuring compliance with UNOPS standards for quality, safety, and accountability.

Location and Current Situation

Gazanche Primary School is located in Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia Region, about 28 km south of Wolkite Town, serving three rural kebeles with an estimated population of around 10,000 people. Established in 2010 through community efforts, the school currently accommodates about 1,000 primary students (Grades 1–8) and 50 nursery children. However, the existing infrastructure is inadequate and below national standards, consisting mainly of traditional wooden-mud classroom blocks with only nine classrooms, resulting in severe overcrowding with up to 80 students per classroom. The school also lacks basic facilities such as an administration building, library, reliable sanitation, electricity, water supply, and secure fencing. Existing latrines are temporary and structurally unsafe, while most buildings are deteriorated and unsuitable for a safe learning environment.

Planned Improvements

The project intends to establish a new primary school infrastructure that will provide a safe, inclusive, and climate-resilient learning environment. Planned works include the construction of new classrooms, administration and library buildings, gender-separated sanitation facilities, fencing, walkways, drainage systems, landscaping, and solar power installations. These interventions aim to reduce overcrowding, improve safety and sanitation, and expand access to quality education, particularly for girls, children with disabilities, and underserved rural communities, in line with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and Ethiopia’s Education Sector Development Programme VI.

Role of the Civil Engineer

The Civil Engineer will be based in Gazanche and serve as the site supervisor and technical focal point for the construction works. The role involves ensuring that all activities are implemented in accordance with approved designs, technical specifications, quality standards, and project schedules. Key responsibilities include monitoring construction progress, verifying completed works, maintaining site documentation, and supporting contractor payment certification. The engineer will also coordinate with local authorities, school leadership, contractors, and community stakeholders to facilitate smooth project implementation while ensuring compliance with UNOPS standards for quality, safety, and accountability.

Role Purpose

The Civil Engineer manages and supervises infrastructure works carried out by implementing partners and contractors. The role is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day design, construction and procurement activities, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

The Civil Engineer embeds best practices in technical design and construction management throughout the project lifecycle from planning to handover, while expected to uphold strict compliance with Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) standards and Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) requirements.

The incumbent also demonstrates strong technical expertise, proactive resource management, and the ability to ensure integrity, transparency and effective stakeholder coordination in all civil engineering activities.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Project Management and Coordination

• Plan, supervise and manage the implementation of civil engineering projects from design to completion, ensuring alignment with project requirements, timelines and budgets.
• Support the Project Manager and technical team in planning, scheduling and implementing rehabilitation, construction, and infrastructure activities.
• Assist in the preparation of project plans, schedules, and progress reports, and support project closure activities.
• Liaise with government authorities, beneficiaries and other stakeholders to secure permits, ensure approvals, and maintain strong working relationships.
• Participate in site meetings, procurement activities, and evaluation committees as needed.

Construction Supervision and Quality Assurance

• Review and provide inputs on design briefs, technical documentation, bills of quantity (BoQs), and cost estimates to ensure compliance with international standards, UNOPS guidelines and client requirements.
• Conduct on-site technical assessments and inspections to ensure construction work adheres to UNOPS quality standards and project specifications.
• Assist in the review of technical submittals, progress reports, and invoices from consultants and contractors, and recommend payment releases.
• Monitor performance tracking systems and identify potential delays or cost overruns.
• Support the valuation of construction work for payment certificates and assessment of claims.
• Supervise and monitor contractors’ and implementing partners’ work to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery.
• Conduct site inspections, testing, verification of quantities, and review of technical submittals (shop drawings, materials, as-built documentation).

HSSE Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with UNOPS HSSE policies, environmental safeguards, and PSEAH standards.
• Identify, assess and mitigate risks related to HSSE and community engagement.
• Promote sustainability and green construction practices across all project phases.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of site activities, inspections, incidents and progress, ensuring timely submission of reports (weekly/monthly/quarterly).
• Support project closure through commissioning, handover and archiving of construction documentation.
• Assist in compiling periodic and specific reports, and ensure all project documentation is up-to-date and properly filed.
• Support the Project Manager in overseeing change controls, risk and issue registers, and ensure timely and accurate reporting on project progress.

Knowledge Building and Sharing

• Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on civil engineering-related topics.
• Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned.

Skills

• Civil Engineering, Project Engineering, Project Implementation, Project Resource Management, Project Team Management

Competencies

• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
• Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Structural Engineering or related fields with 2 years of relevant experience, OR
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 0 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• A recognized professional certification or membership in a civil engineering association, at the national or international level, is desirable.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience is work in civil engineering, structural works, construction technology, construction supervision and monitoring, or related areas.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

Language Requirements

Proficiency Level

Requirement

• English: Fluent Required
• Amharic: Fluent Required

Additional Information

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

Skills Required:

• Civil / Engineering / Cotm