UNOPS

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

Since 1995, UNOPS has maintained an active presence in Afghanistan, delivering efficient, agile services in support of both humanitarian response and development efforts. Prior to August 2021, the Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) implemented projects across a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, procurement, capacity building, and environmental protection. In response to evolving humanitarian needs, AFCO has shifted its focus to supporting life-saving initiatives and basic human needs. Current priorities include managing large-scale cash-for-work programmes, procuring emergency supplies, and providing inter-agency coordination, communication, and accountability support.

The Project for Community-led Climate Change Adaptation in Afghanistan aims to strengthen the resilience of communities by implementing community-led adaptation measures. Its overall objective is to empower people in target communities to have strengthened climate change and disaster resilience through two main components: constructing and rehabilitating small-scale infrastructure for climate change adaptation (e.g., check dams, river bank protection walls, irrigation canals), and strengthening community-based systems to mitigate the impacts of climate change and adverse climate events through training and capacity building. 

The Civil Engineer (Team Lead) is a member of the project team. Under the direct supervision and overall leadership of the Senior Project Manager, the Civil Engineer (Team Lead) will lead site identification and site assessment, and oversee a team of design and construction management engineers in undertaking market research, survey, digital terrain modelling, hydrological, hydraulic and structural design, specification, preparing BoQs, market research, contributing information for development of tender documents, engineering analysis, construction monitoring,  coordination of the day-to-day construction activities across all projects under the engagement, and related engineering activities. The Civil Engineer (Team Lead) will oversee external contractors contributing to the technical functions, including survey, geotechnical, hydrological and design contractors (as applicable). The Civil Engineer (Team Lead) applies practices and techniques of key engineering design, technical and construction management and project management work areas, ensures practical solutions appropriate to Afghanistan rural conditions, and ensures technical planning, design, construction oversight activities/ supervision of works and project management in compliance with UNOPS systems, quality assurance and quality control requirements. The Civil Engineer (Team Lead) will be based in Kabul and is expected to travel frequently across all project sites in the province, as required.

The Civil Engineer (Team Lead) will lead site identification and site assessment, and oversee a team of design and construction management engineers in undertaking market research, survey, digital terrain modelling, hydrological, hydraulic and structural design, specification, preparing BoQs, market research, contributing information for development of tender documents, engineering analysis, construction monitoring,  coordination of the day-to-day construction activities across all projects under the engagement, and related engineering activities.

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil or Water Engineering or equivalent professional qualification with 4 years of relevant experience.

Desired

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.

Required

• Minimum of 4 years relevant experience in water engineering works, with a focus on water retention structures. 

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in water infrastructure design, with a focus on small dams, canals, and water retention structures. Ability to produce engineering construction drawings and design documentation using AutoCAD or similar software.

Desired

• Knowledge of UNOPS/UN rules and regulations.

• 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.