Lead Engineer - Infrastructure Specialist

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to the rebuilding of essential infrastructure in post-earthquake Myanmar, working with a dedicated team to support community recovery and resilience. The position provides a platform to apply technical expertise in structural engineering, ensuring the safety and functionality of infrastructure projects that directly impact marginalized populations.

Role Purpose

The Lead Structural Engineer will provide engineering advisory services, including technical review, design, and guidance for infrastructure designs, with a focus on post-earthquake recovery efforts in Myanmar. The role ensures the safety, functionality, and fitness of infrastructure while recognizing the circumstances and constraints of the UNOPS operational context.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Technical review of design documentation

• Review structural design drawings, technical specifications, and BOQs in terms of accuracy and suitability to overall design requirements, identifying aspects where designs do not comply with minimum codes and standards and IPMG policies, and providing practical guidance for design improvement;
• Supporting the 3PI team as a Peer Reviewer of Low Risk Infrastructure designs, providing detailed comments and actions for IP’s and partner organisations to improve the quality and compliance of submitted infrastructure designs and implementation plans;

2. Support to design development

• Supporting Project development by reviewing Scopes of Work, project objectives and benefits of proposed Infrastructure assets;
• Support Projects and Project Managers in the submission of Infrastructure designs to the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) Design Review Portal and act to support the resolution of Design Review feedback and comments in a timely fashion;

3. Application of professional judgment

• Serve as a technical expert, providing guidance to ongoing Funds / Programmes and Projects within the UNOPS Myanmar portfolio on infrastructure implementation. This includes ensuring technical compliance, adherence to applicable codes and standards, and alignment with UNOPS processes and infrastructure standards;
• Provide expert advisory services to ensure the safety, functionality, and fitness of infrastructure, applying professional judgment in the interpretation and application of relevant codes, standards, and IPMG policies, while considering the specific circumstances and constraints of the UNOPS operational context;
• Offer technical engineering support for infrastructure implementation activities, including troubleshooting, risk assessment, and the development of appropriate mitigation measures;

4. Support to procurement

• Support Procurement activities, such as the tendering of Infrastructure Works, by developing basic detailed technical specifications, bills of quantities and cost estimates suitable to tender the Works.  - Support 3PI projects in the technical evaluation of Vendor submissions, including submitted designs, Bills of Quantities (BoQ’s), Method Statements, Quality Management Plans, Schedules and Programmes;

5. General project support and capacity building

• Support the onboarding of IP’s and new hires to the 3PI team taking into account gender parity and diversity objectives. - Provide briefings on UNOPS and 3PI scope of work, requirements, processes and documentation requirements, particularly in Burmese language where needed. - Support capacity building activities which are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of personnel;

6. Independence, integrity and objectivity

• In the performance of professional services, the Senior Civil Engineer will act as an independent technical expert, free of conflicts of interests, and must be able to maintain the integrity of his/her technical opinion;

Education Requirements

Required

• A professional or technical diploma in Civil Engineering (CEng, PE, P. Eng.), Architecture, Construction Management or relevant discipline with 11 years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or relevant discipline with 9 years of relevant experience OR
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or relevant discipline with 7 years of relevant experience.

Desired

• Project management certification (e.g. PRINCE2, PMI, PEng, CEng, etc) is desired.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience is experience in engineering, design, infrastructure and works or any other related field. 

Desired

• Experience in Project and Programme Management and Operations support is a distinct advantage. 
• Experience working in conflict-affected areas and with relevant stakeholders is a distinct asset. 
• Previous experience in a similar position with the UN, NGO, civil society organizations or private sector is an asset.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredBurmeseFluentRequired

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.