Construction Management Engineer

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

Not Required - part of GPO/NYPO

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. 

 The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP). It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

 UNOPS has signed a Global Agreement with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to operationally support the implementation of their mandate through the provision of Human Resources services.

 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), an office under the UN Secretariat, was established in 1997 to assist member states in their efforts to combat illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism, and is one of the partners under UNTSS. 

 Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, UNODC operates globally to support the development and implementation of policies and programmes that address a wide range of issues, including drug trafficking and abuse, organized crime, corruption, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, cybercrime, and terrorism prevention. Through research, policy advice, capacity-building, and technical assistance, UNODC works to strengthen justice systems, promote international cooperation, and uphold the rule of law and human rights in the fight against transnational threats.

UNODC in Afghanistan operates to identify and address aspects of the drug and crime situation in the country. This is done through evidence-based advocacy in the policy arena; providing reliable information on opium poppy cultivation, production, prices, and drug users; and through implementation in the field by providing effective alternative livelihoods to farmers dependent on poppy cultivation as well as drug demand and harm reduction support to people affected by drug dependence. Afghanistan has long been a major source of illicit opium production, making UNODC's work particularly important for both national and regional stability.

There are 12 Drug Treatment Centres (DTCs) in Kandahar, Helmand, Badakhshan, Badghis and Takhar provinces, providing drug treatment and rehabilitation services supported through domestic funding and external donors.

Several DTCs operate under substandard conditions due to insufficient resources for facility maintenance and upgrading. Key challenges include inadequate space for service delivery, particularly for women who use drugs, unreliable electricity supply, limited WASH and hygiene facilities, and inadequate access to safe drinking water. 

The Project for Strengthening Counternarcotics Capacities for Vulnerable People aims to address these gaps through infrastructure upgrades and facility improvements, including construction of additional service rooms, renovation of existing facilities, and provision of essential utilities and WASH services. These interventions are expected to strengthen the capacity of DTCs to deliver evidence-based and human rights-oriented drug treatment and rehabilitation services.

By improving the physical infrastructure and essential amenities, the project aims to create a safer and more conducive treatment environment, enhance service quality and accessibility, and support the sustainable delivery of treatment and rehabilitation services for men and women with drug use disorders in the targeted provinces.

The Construction Management Engineer provides technical expertise and oversight in the planning, implementation, coordination, supervision, monitoring and reporting and quality assurance of the infrastructure construction project. The Engineer ensures that all works are executed to the required quality standards, within the defined budget, and on schedule. The role encompasses construction supervision, quality management, contract administration, stakeholder coordination, risk management, regulatory compliance, health and safety enforcement, contributing to the delivery of resilient, safe and sustainable infrastructure aligned with UNODC and donor/partner standards.

Under the overall guidance of the Representative of the UNODC Country Office for Afghanistan (COAFG) and direct supervision of Programme Coordinator for Drug Demand Reduction and HIV Prevention, the Construction Management Engineer will be based in UNODC Country Office Afghanistan in Kabul (with frequent travel to Kandahar, Helmand, Badakhshan, Badghis and Takhar provinces), and closely work with the UNODC DDR/health team, relevant entities and partners  to deliver assigned tasks and responsibilities.

Comprehensive Assessment of Construction Needs in DTCs and Support to Vendor Selection Process:

• Support the assessment of infrastructure needs in five Drug Treatment Centers (DTCs) located in Kandahar, Helmand, Badakhshan, Badghis, and Takhar provinces, including facility expansion, renovation, WASH improvements, and solar energy system installation.

• Identify and document technical requirements for expansion and renovation works, including preparation and finalization of design requirements, technical drawings, scope of work, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), and cost estimates/budgets. Submit completed technical documentation to the Health Section to support procurement and contractor selection processes.

• Assist the team in preparing and reviewing solicitation documents with a strong focus on technical specifications, engineering standards, drawings, and compliance requirements. Ensure all documents meet quality standards and organizational procurement procedures.

• Contribute to technical evaluation of bidders by assessing the technical proposals, implementation methodologies, qualifications, and institutional capacities of offerors. Provide technical recommendations to support the selection of qualified vendors and contractors.

• Support the procurement and contracting process for DTC expansion and renovation works, installation of solar energy systems, and construction or rehabilitation of WASH facilities, ensuring value for money, quality assurance, and compliance with approved technical standards.

• Facilitate the timely processing and certification of installment payments to vendors and contractors in accordance with contractual agreements, approved work progress, organizational financial regulations, and procurement procedures. Verify supporting documentation, monitor contract milestones, and coordinate with relevant technical, procurement, and finance units to ensure accurate and compliant disbursement of payments.

Construction Management: 

• Oversee and manage day-to-day site construction activities to ensure compliance with project specifications, approved drawings, and contractual obligations.

• Monitor work progress and contractor performance to ensure timely, cost-effective and high-quality delivery of outputs.

• Identify and report potential delays, risks and cost overruns. Recommend and implement approved corrective actions.

• Supervise construction works as per contractual provisions, verifying consistency with Bills of Quantity (BoQs) and approved schedules.

• Review and assess contractors’ progress payment claims, variation orders, and extension requests for accuracy and compliance.

• Maintain proper documentation of project activities, including progress reports, site records, and meeting minutes.

• Represent UNODC  in site meetings, coordination fora, and stakeholder consultations.

• Ensure effective communication and coordination with contractors, suppliers and project stakeholders to address technical and operational issues promptly. 

Quality Management 

• Enforce compliance with applicable quality standards and project-specific quality assurance plans.

• Conduct regular inspections and testing of materials, equipment and works to ensure conformity with design specifications and quality benchmarks.

• Review and verify contractor quality control procedures, inspection reports, and material certifications.

• Prepare and monitor quality control documentation, including inspection checklists, test logs, and non-conformance reports.

• Provide technical guidance to contractors and field personnel to ensure continuous improvement in construction quality and adherence to specifications

Health, Safety, Social and Environment (HSSE) Management

• Lead the implementation of HSSE management systems at the project site, ensuring compliance with organizational and local regulations.

• Conduct regular safety inspections, toolbox talks, and risk assessments to identify and mitigate hazards.

• Promote environmental sustainability and integrate ‘’green construction’’ practices across project activities.

• Monitor and report on incidents, near misses and corrective actions, maintaining a culture of accountability and prevention

Monitoring, Reporting and Progress Control

• Track project progress against work plans, milestones and performance targets, providing accurate updates to stakeholders.

• Prepare detailed weekly and monthly reports covering progress, quality, health and safety, environmental, and financial aspects.

• Support the preparation of Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs), contract close-out documentation, and project completion reports.

• Maintain comprehensive site records, including daily logs, inspection reports, correspondence and photographic evidence.

• Participate in project review meetings, ensuring timely follow-up on actions and decisions.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Construction Management 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

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.

Desired

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

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

• Thorough knowledge of the construction industries in Afghanistan is an asset;

• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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. 
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• 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. 
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