Skip to content

General Information

Position Title
Lead Construction Management Engineer
Job Category
Engineer
Duty Station(s)
Bissau
Seniority Level
Mid Level
ICS Level
ICS 10
Contract Type
ICA - LICA - Specialist - Regular
Contract Level
LICA 10
Posting Start Date
08-May-2026
Posting End Date
22-May-2026
Duration
6 months

Job Highlight

Drive impactful infrastructure projects from conception to completion, setting the benchmark for excellence in quality, safety, and timely delivery.

About the Region

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.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Based in Dakar, Senegal, the West Africa Multi-Country Office (WAMCO) delivers high-quality project management, infrastructure, and procurement services across 16 countries in West Africa and the Sahel, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Togo. Aligned with UNOPS’ mission, WAMCO supports partners in peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable development. WAMCO’s portfolio spans key sectors such as health, climate change, renewable energy, agriculture, water and sanitation, environment, infrastructure, justice, and peace and security. Notable projects include the construction of pre-preschools for early childhood development in Senegal (in partnership with KOICA and UNICEF), capacity-building for national agencies on disaster risk reduction and resource management, and the development of rural mini-grid electrification systems in Sierra Leone. Through these initiatives, WAMCO contributes to inclusive growth and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the region.

Job Specific Context

The UNOPS project directly addresses the national priorities outlined in the National Agricultural Development Plan and aligns with IFAD’s strategy for countries in fragile situations. It will also contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and aims primarily to rehabilitate 35.5 km of rural roads to open up agricultural areas, improve access to markets, and promote the economic integration of rural communities.

This objective aligns with IFAD’s strategic priorities to strengthen the resilience of rural populations and promote local economic development in Guinea-Bissau.


Role Purpose

The Construction Management Lead Engineer provides technical leadership across all stages of infrastructure delivery - from planning and design review to supervision, quality assurance and handover. The incumbent oversees engineering teams, contractors and consultants to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, to specification and in compliance with UNOPS’ quality and health, safety, social and environment (HSSE) standards.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Planning and Implementation

  • Lead the planning and technical implementation of infrastructure activities in alignment with UNOPS standards and project objectives.
  • Conduct and oversee site investigations, including topographic surveys, geotechnical assessments and feasibility studies.
  • Review and validate design documentation, drawings, technical specifications and tender dossiers to ensure quality, constructability and compliance with regulations.
  • Provide expert technical advice to the project manager and stakeholders on all engineering-related matters.
  • Contribute to developing detailed project work plans, identifying dependencies, and defining clear milestones, deliverables and risk mitigation strategies. 


Construction Supervision and Quality Management 

  • Lead and coordinate day-to-day supervision of contractors and consultants to ensure compliance with approved designs, contracts and technical specifications.
  • Implement and monitor Quality Assurance/ Quality Control (QA/QC) systems and procedures. Conduct inspections and verify construction outputs.
  • Ensure consistent application of UNOPS health, safety, social and environment (HSSE) standards across all project sites and immediately address any non-compliance.
  • Oversee the preparation and execution of site safety plans, method statements and risk assessments.
  • Monitor progress against construction schedules and budgets, proactively identifying risks, delays and potential cost overruns and implementing approved corrective measures.
  • Support the project manager in the administration of contracts and ensure adherence to FIDIC or equivalent conditions of contract.
  • Facilitate stakeholder and contractor coordination meetings to ensure alignment of plans, progress and resource allocation.


Monitoring, Progress Control and Contract Administration

  • Track project implementation against approved work plans, performance targets, and contractual obligations.
  • Conduct regular site visits to verify progress and quality. Ensure timely certification of work completed.
  • Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including daily site records, inspection reports, test results and photographic evidence.
  • Support the preparation and verification of Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs), variation orders, extensions of time, and claims.
  • Report any deviations from plans and specifications, and propose technical and operational solutions.
  • Ensure all contract obligations are documented, monitored and met by contractors, consultants and implementing partners.


Reporting and Documentation

  • Prepare detailed and timely site progress reports, summarizing contractor performance, resource utilization, safety incidents, and mitigation actions.
  • Submit monthly and ad-hoc progress reports to the project manager, providing analysis of risks, constraints and opportunities.
  • Contribute to project close-out documentation, including handover reports, as-built documentation, and lessons-learned summaries.
  • Support HSSE reporting and investigations. Compile incident reports and provide recommendations for preventive actions.


Capacity Building and Team Building 

  • Supervise junior engineers, site supervisors and other technical personnel to ensure consistent application of engineering best practices.
  • Facilitate learning and capacity-building activities for UNOPS personnel, contractors and local authorities on construction supervision, HSSE and quality management.
  • Foster adherence to the UNOPS Code of Conduct on-site, and ensure gender, inclusion, and sustainability principles are embedded in all project activities. 


Knowledge Building and Sharing 

  • Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on project management and construction management.
  • Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned.
  • Conduct research on infrastructure- and project management-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes.

Skills

Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Data Analysis, Inventory Management, Logistics Management, Project Management
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 Civil Engineering, Construction Management or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience OR
  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 5 years of relevant experience is required.


Desired

  • A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in Administration is desired.

Experience Requirements

Required

  • Relevant experience is work in building construction, site supervision or infrastructure project management or similar fields.
  • Experience in quality control, monitoring and reporting within construction projects is required.
  • Demonstrable proficiency in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems is required.A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in Administration is desired.


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 in project documentation, report writing and technical communication is desired.


Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishFluentRequired
FrenchFluentRequired
PortugueseFluentRequired
Guinea-Bissau CreoleFluentDesirable

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.