Construction Management Senior Associate Engineer

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.

Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.

Since 2005, UNOPS has supported South Sudan’s development through critical infrastructure projects that improve access to essential services and livelihoods, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Efforts focus on the design, construction, and rehabilitation of roads, airstrips, ports, and bridges to enhance connectivity and promote economic activity. UNOPS also builds schools, health facilities, and government offices to strengthen basic service delivery and institutional capacity. In addition to infrastructure, UNOPS provides procurement and operational support to the Government and development partners, enabling efficient and transparent implementation of key initiatives. All efforts are geared toward improving socio-economic conditions, fostering resilience, and supporting long-term development across South Sudan.

Background Information: Project - South Sudan Livelihoods and Resilience Programme (SSLRP)

The South Sudan Livelihoods and Resilience Programme (SSLRP) is a Government of South Sudan initiative led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) and financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with co-financing from GAFSP, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), and the Government of South Sudan. The project aims to improve the livelihoods, food security, and climate resilience of approximately 370,848 people, directly targeting 61,808 rural smallholder households, with a strong focus on women, youth, returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and persons with disabilities.

The project comprises 3 main components:

Component 1: Community-Driven Development Planning. Strengthens Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and supports communities to prepare Community Development Plans.

Component 2: Community Agriculture Investment Fund (CAIF). Finances climate-smart agriculture, livelihoods, productive infrastructure, water management, post-harvest facilities, and feeder road rehabilitation.

Component 3: Project Management, Coordination & Capacity Building. Oversees overall project coordination, administrative management, and capacity building activities.

The project will be implemented in collaboration with South Sudan government authorities and will be guided by the various programme guidelines provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) and IFAD - as the funding source.

The Senior Associate Construction Management Engineer supports the implementation and oversight of infrastructure projects through the provision of technical expertise, quality assurance, and effective site management. The incumbent ensures that construction activities are executed according to design specifications, schedule, safety and environmental standards. The role involves close coordination with contractors, design consultants and internal stakeholders to facilitate on-time, on-budget and high-quality delivery of infrastructure works. 

Construction Management and Site Supervision

• Assist in overseeing day-to-day site operations, ensuring adherence to project specifications, timelines and quality standards.
• Monitor work progress against approved plans and Bills of Quantity (BoQs), reporting potential risks, delays or cost deviations to the supervisor.
• Verify that works comply with contract documents, technical drawings, and applicable safety and environmental standards. 
• Conduct regular site inspections and prepare detailed progress, quality and health, safety, social and environment (HSSE) reports.
• Supervise contractors’ work, assess completed quantities and recommend interim and final payments.
• Review and verify variation orders, ensuring justification, accuracy and compliance with design and budget parameters.
• Support the preparation and implementation of risk assessments, method statements, and HSSE plans, enforcing compliance on-site.
• Lead or participate in site meetings with contractors and relevant stakeholders, maintaining accurate records of discussions, issues and actions.
• Identify and address construction issues proactively, ensuring minimal disruption to project timelines. 

Technical Documentation and Quality Assurance

• Assist in coordinating technical documentation, drawings and specifications to meet project and UNOPS standards.
• Contribute to developing and updating work plans and schedules to ensure alignment with time, cost and quality requirements.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including registers for drawings, payments, variations, safety inspections and materials testing.
• Prepare and review technical reports, inspection checklists, site diaries, and contractor correspondence.
• Draft and review Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) based on verified progress and quality benchmarks.
• Support quality management activities by developing inspection and test plans, conducting material checks, and verifying contractor quality control procedures.
• Review and maintain records related to design modifications, variation justifications, and lessons learned.

Monitoring, Reporting and Risk Management

• Prepare regular (weekly and monthly) project progress reports detailing physical and financial performance, safety compliance and risks.
• Maintain updated risk and issue registers, and propose mitigation measures where applicable.
• Track contractor performance against milestones and assist in preparing management summaries for project reviews.
• Support the project manager and procurement team in bid evaluations and preparation of tender documentation when required.
• Provide input for project close-out reports and lessons-learned documentation.

Stakeholder and Team Coordination 

• Maintain effective communication with contractors, suppliers, local authorities, and implementing partners to ensure coordinated project delivery.
• Assist the project manager in guiding and mentoring junior engineers, architects and site personnel.
• Participate in coordination meetings, ensuring timely follow-up on action points.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with community representatives and site visitors, ensuring transparent communication on 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.

Required

• Secondary school (or equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or related disciplines with 3 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• A recognized professional certification or membership in a civil, structural or construction engineering association, at the national or international level, is desirable.

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 are required.

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.

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