UNOPS

Since opening in 2019, the UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) in Vienna has served as a hub for operations across 12 countries in South-East Europe, Türkiye, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. AUMCO delivers technical expertise, operational support, and sustainable infrastructure solutions for governments, donors, and international financial institutions. Flagship initiatives include Blueing the Black Sea—a GEF and World Bank partnership to reduce pollution and promote sustainable development—and Türkiye’s post-earthquake recovery programme, enhancing protective services for women and children. In Albania, projects revitalise cultural heritage and advance digital justice, while in Kosovo, new university infrastructure supports higher education. In Georgia, AUMCO facilitates the Eastern Partnership European School and strengthens rule of law and digital health access. Across Central Asia, activities range from health system strengthening in Uzbekistan to hazardous waste management in Tajikistan. AUMCO also supports UNOPS’ global Water, Environment, and Climate portfolio, reinforcing its role as a regional and thematic centre of excellence.

UNOPS has been present in Pristina since 1999, supporting national and international partners in advancing development, governance, and public service delivery. Through its wide-ranging expertise in project management, procurement, infrastructure, and human resources, UNOPS plays a key role in strengthening Kosovo’s institutions and systems. Current efforts include the construction of new premises for the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Pristina — a major step toward improving higher education infrastructure and enhancing academic and research capacities. By delivering practical, sustainable solutions, the Pristina Office contributes to better public services, stronger institutions, and long-term development across the country.

Environmental degradation in Kosovo is largely driven by outdated industrial infrastructure, specifically the Kosovo B Thermal Power Plant, which remains a major polluter of the Sitnica River. The plant currently discharges six distinct, untreated wastewater streams that significantly exceed both local and EU standards. The EU has dedicated funds to modernize the plant’s infrastructure including constructing a comprehensive wastewater treatment system and a chemical storage building. UNOPS will be implementing the project, in close collaboration with its stakeholders and beneficiaries. The project is planned to start in early 2026. 

UNOPS is currently recruiting the project team which includes a Civil Engineer, LICA-8 level. The Civil Engineer will be working closely with the international Project Manager. They will support the Project Manager in the different phases of the project, specifically in regards to stakeholder management, definition of employer’s requirements, technical supervision, liaison with Government counterparts, etc. Experience in the wastewater sector is desirable. 

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) preferably in Civil-, Mechanical-, Electric 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 Mechanical/Electric engineering association, at the national or international level, is desirable.

Required

• Relevant experience is work in civil engineering, including experience in process, mechanical and/or electrical engineering aspects.

Desired

• Experience working with industrial wastewater treatment plants is an advantage.

• Experience with Design & Build is an advantage. 

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

• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that 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. 
• 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.

• 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.