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Lead Construction Management Engineer
UNOPSUnited NationsEngineerMid LevelICA - LICA - Specialist - Regular
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Full Description
**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 pro
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