UNOPS

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.

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 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.

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. 

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.

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.

• 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.
  

• 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. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.