Structural Engineer (Retainer) (Port Sudan) – UNOPS

Job Description

Organization	United Nations Office for Project Services
Job Title	Structural Engineer (Retainer)
Vacancy code	VA/2025/B5312/29805
Department/office	AFR, ETMCO, Sudan
Duty station	Port Sudan with travel to project sites, Sudan
Contract type	Local ICA Specialist
Contract level	LICA Specialist-9
Duration	One year, not more than 180 days
Application period	26-Feb-2025 to 02-Mar-2025

 Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office is recruiting for this position  through a Desk Review process- Structural Engineer – (Retainer) based in Port Sudan, Sudan with with travel to project sites

Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply.

The Structural Engineer, in collaboration with the Infrastructure Project Manager, is responsible for conducting site assessments, preparing design briefs, and providing guidance in the design development of structural systems to achieve technical objectives. The structural works will include assessments of structural integrity, structural design, preparation of structural drawings, and design and analysis using structural software. The role also involves preparing design reports, specifications, and bills of quantities, coordinating with other disciplines, compiling design documents for IPMG reviews, and making corrections to design documents based on review comments. This will be done after thoroughly understanding the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders, to ensure that the project’s outputs meet the business cases for both UNOPS and its partners. The success of the project(s) and, consequently, the Structural Engineer’s performance will be evaluated based on the defined success criteria.

 Functional Responsibilities

The Structural Engineer will report to the Infra Team Lead and will be responsible for the following duties


i) Technical Study and Design Development

• Liaise with other designers, including architects, to agree on safe designs and their compatibility with the aesthetic concept of the construction.
• Plan, design, and develop building structures and facilities; prepare calculations, models, charts, and graphs; and create construction drawings and design specifications, including the use of computers and computer-aided design (CAD) technology for simulation purposes.
• Analyze the configurations of the basic structural components of buildings and civil structures; calculate the pressures, stresses, and strains that each component will experience; and consider the strength of various materials (e.g., timber, concrete, steel, and brick) for structural design.
• Prepare structural design reports, structural drawings, technical specifications, and bills of quantities for structural and related civil works.
• Provide a high level of technical sufficiency within UNOPS ETMCO, including the identification and promotion of innovative and practical design solutions.
• Assume technical responsibility for the preparation of quality plans, scheme programs, assessments, design work, estimates, bills of quantities, and the review of bid documentation and assessments.
• Promote the use of, and participate in the development of, UNOPS design and production standards, working with country code officials and other design professionals when an interpretation or exception to building codes is required.
• Assess the requirements of new or potential projects, break them into tasks, and work with the Proposal Owner to determine scope of work, budget, and staffing, including writing the scope of work for design based on preliminary review and meetings with potential partners and/or donors.
• Provide input and documentation for internal, organizational, partner, and stakeholder reports.
• Review and update technical standards, office procedures, construction techniques, and the use of materials to ensure that specifications and schemes prepared by UNOPS Sudan reflect best practices, with continuous improvement, including training for UNOPS engineers.
• Examine structures at risk of collapse and advise on how to improve their structural integrity, such as recommending the removal or repair of defective parts or rebuilding the entire structure.
• Oversee third parties undertaking investigations for UNOPS ETMCO and collaborate with geotechnical engineers to investigate ground conditions and analyze results of soil samples and in-situ tests.

ii) Procurement

• Support in the preparation of bidding documents for infrastructure-related projects as per the UNOPS Procurement Manual.
• Support the procurement team in pre-bid meetings and provide the necessary clarifications to bidders.
• Support technical and financial evaluations of contractors/suppliers according to the Procurement Manual.

iii) Supervision & Monitoring

• Monitor and inspect off-site and on-site work for compliance with applicable codes, accepted engineering practices, and Ethiopian Standards.
• Assist the Project Manager in the planning, organization, and oversight of site investigations, surveys, and analyses of existing buildings, feasibility studies, structural inspections, assessments, and the preparation of associated reports.
• Support the Infrastructure Team and review the undertaken measurement of site works in support of contractor payment requests.
• Support the Infrastructure Team and review to ensure the strict implementation of quality control standards and procedures on the sites, reporting regularly to the supervisor.

iv) Knowledge Sharing

• Support training and technology transfer to national personnel and contractor personnel and advise on good construction practices, good environmental management practices, and appropriate health and safety standards during the design development and implementation stages.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.

Impacts of Results

Improved efficiency in the delivery of infrastructure projects, high-quality design drawings and reporting, and improved staff capacity.

 Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) is required, preferably in Civil, Structural, or Infrastructure Engineering, or a related field.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in Civil, Structural and Infrastructure Engineering  or a related field with 2 additional years of experience, may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.
• A professional registration license (Professional Structural Engineer) is required. Please attach your license with the application.

Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience (or more, depending on academic credentials) as a practicing structural engineer is required.
• Experience in performing technical status reports, tests, and building structural assessments is required. Specialty experience within the structural engineering discipline, such as seismic design or Finite Element Modeling, is considered an asset.
• One year experience in AutoCAD is required.
• Knowledge of SAP, ETABS, and STAAD Pro is an asset.
• Project management knowledge and skills are an asset.

Language 

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

 Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

 Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: Local Individual Contractual Agreement (LICA) – Retainer
2. Contract level: LICA-9 (ICS9)
3. Contract duration: One Year (not more than 180 days)

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

** IMPORTANT INFORMATION **
Retainer positions are not full-time positions. They constitute a contract whereby the Retainer may be requested to provide a specific output/deliverable within a specified period of time, on short notice. When holding a retainer contract, individuals may receive ad-hoc requests from the UNOPS project teams or country offices, and the quantity of requests will vary depending on the current needs. UNOPS shall have no obligation to obtain any minimum quantity of services from the Individual Contractor during the duration of the retainer ICA. It is possible to have multiple consultancy contracts with or outside UNOPS, as long as it is declared to the UNOPS Ethics Office. Read more about the ICA retainer modality here. 

 Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
• This is a local position and hence is open to Sudanese nationals only

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.
• 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.