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General Information

Position Title
Infrastructure Advisor
Job Category
Infrastructure
Duty Station(s)
Colombo
Seniority Level
Senior Level
ICS Level
ICS 11
Contract Type
ICA - IICA - Retainer
Contract Level
IICA 3
Posting Start Date
14-Jul-2026
Posting End Date
28-Jul-2026
Duration
12 Montha

Job Highlight

This is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact in international development while advancing your career in a prestigious UN organization. The position offers exposure to high-profile projects, cross-cultural collaboration, and professional development opportunities in project management, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence within the UN system.

About the Region

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.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

The South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO) supports UNOPS operations across six countries: Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. SAMCO delivers a broad range of services and technical expertise in climate change, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), infrastructure, procurement, human resource management, and fund management. Each country office is staffed with local technical experts and maintains strong partnerships with national governments, ensuring context-specific solutions and effective project implementation.

Role Purpose

The Infrastructure Advisor will be responsible for representing all aspects of the practice within the South Asia Multi Country Office.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Technical Advice & Quality Assurance

Provide technical advice and guidance on development and implementation of a quality assurance framework within the region in relation to infrastructure projects.

Provide advice across the design development process with regards to the preparation of technical specifications, Bills of Quantities, bidding documentation, engineering drawings, construction methodologies, construction planning and programming, and assessments of contractors' technical capacity to deliver.

Regularly support and provide guidance on construction activities including Health and Safety, Quality, Environmental and other risk management activities.

Advising the UNOPS Country management teams regarding compliance with UNOPS Health and Safety and Environmental Management System.


2. Implementation Support

Substantive support to the Programme/Project Managers and Team Leaders in the implementation of infrastructure projects.

Advise infrastructure practitioners on the application, interpretation and adoption of corporate policy, guidance and best practices.

Advising the Country management Teams regarding design considerations and design review requirements, and being aware of the capacity and capabilities of the various in-house units across the regions.

Support field office infrastructure teams in the identification, engagement, bid evaluation and management of local and regional consultancy firms providing infrastructure design and construction services.


3. Partnerships Development Support

Support UNOPS Partnership Development & Strategic positioning agenda in the region through their expertise, regional contacts and demonstrated ability.

Represent UNOPS at appropriate regional or country level forum within Asia.

Review proposals and support the development of infrastructure projects in the region as appropriate, via the corporate engagement system and providing advice to the Hub and Country Directors and Regional Director accordingly.

S/he will provide advice and support on new initiatives, with focus on quality assurance and quality control of project documents, costing and cost implications, implementation plans, milestones and benchmark indicators.

S/he may be required and assist with technical input to proposals, including project planning, governance, and approach considerations.


4. Knowledge Sharing and Technical leadership

Dissemination of training for corporate guidance and instructions that impact infrastructure practitioners, as required.

Ensure best practice guidance is disseminated and communicated throughout the region and within the organization more generally.

S/he will contribute to the knowledge of IPMG's knowledge management by capturing case studies and best practice examples from the region, making recommendations on policy and tools, as well as contributing to the development of guidance material and tools.

Undertake missions to Country Offices and project sites to review and advise with regards to quality and progress related issues, and highlight operational problems, both within and beyond the region.

S/he will provide expertise and support in implementation of standards and frameworks, procurement and contract modality selection and management, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S), Environmental Management Systems (EMS), etc.

Skills

Analytical Skills, Problem Solving, Project Management, Quality Assurance, Relationship Building, Technical Analysis, Strategic Thinking
Strategic Perspective
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
Respect
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.
Collaboration
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.
Partnerships
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).
Excellence
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.
Adaptability
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.
Decision-making
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.
Communication
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 Engineering ,Architecture,Structural Engineering, Infrastructure Management or Civil Engineering (Chartered Engineer, Professional Engineer , P. Eng.) or related fields with 9 years of relevant experience OR
  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience is required


Desired

  • Certification in a recognized project management methodology (i.e. PRINCE 2) and knowledge of programme management methodology (e.g. MSP) is desired.



Experience Requirements

Required

  • Minimum 10 years of progressive work experience in a Senior Engineering, Architecture or Construction Management roles are required including at least 7 years at senior management level.
  • Experience of working in Asian countries in an international development environment.


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.
  • Experience working in infrastructure projects with government entities in developing countries will be an asset.
  • Understanding of Sustainability and Resilience concepts as they are applied within the infrastructure and development contexts is desirable.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishFluentRequired
TamilFluentDesirable
SinhalaFluentDesirable

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.
 
Terms and Conditions
 
  • 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.