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UNHCR-Civil Engineer-P3-Gambella/Nyien-Yan, Ethiopia
Gambella/Nyien-Yan, EthiopiaPosition Title: Civil Engineer
Receiving Agency: UNHCR
P Level: P3
Location: Gambella/Nyien-Yan, Ethiopia
Duration: 6 months
Language: English
Operational Context
The operation is currently implementing a broad portfolio of construction and site development works through direct implementation, operational partners, and shelter partners. These works include flood mitigation and drainage interventions, dyke construction, road improvement, site development, communal and public infrastructure, reception facilities, accommodation structures, registration facilities, school rehabilitation, and other support infrastructure for both refugee and host communities. In parallel, shelter partners are engaged in shelter-related interventions to support refugee accommodation needs and improve living conditions in the settlement and reception areas.
At the same time, the operation is pursuing several response approaches to address increasing needs and evolving operational realities. These include optimizing and expanding Luakdong’s existing capacity, improving reception conditions in Tomorok, exploring area-based or community-based response options for refugees living outside the camp after registration, and undertaking preparedness planning for possible future site development if required. These interventions require close technical coordination, field supervision, design review, contractor and partner follow-up, quality assurance, and timely documentation.
The operational context remains complex and time sensitive. Luakdong is located in a low-lying area with drainage and access challenges, while ongoing fuel supply disruptions and the limited availability of resources continue to affect the timely implementation of key civil works. In addition, the need to adapt implementation modalities, including machinery-based, blended, and labour-based approaches, requires close technical oversight and regular follow-up. Given the scale of the ongoing works, the involvement of multiple actors, and the urgency of delivering critical infrastructure and shelter interventions, additional field-based civil engineering technical support is required to strengthen implementation capacity and ensure quality and timely delivery of activities.
1. Technical planning and implementation support
Minimum of 5–7 years of relevant professional experience in civil engineering, infrastructure development, construction supervision, or site development, preferably in complex field settings.
Proven experience in the planning, design, supervision, and implementation of flood mitigation works, drainage systems, dykes, roads, and related civil works.
Demonstrated experience in preparing and reviewing technical drawings, bills of quantities, specifications, cost estimates, work plans, and contract documentation.
Experience in construction monitoring, measurement, certification, quality assurance, and contractor performance follow-up.
Essential requirements
Experience in humanitarian, refugee, displacement, or other emergency response operations is highly desirable.
Previous experience in low-lying, flood-prone, remote, or operationally constrained environments is a strong asset.
Experience supporting labour-based or blended implementation approaches for infrastructure works is desirable.
Technical Competencies
Strong knowledge of civil engineering principles and construction supervision practices.
Sound understanding of flood mitigation, drainage design, earthworks, road works, and site development in flood-prone settings.
Ability to produce, review, and interpret technical documentation and field implementation reports.
Familiarity with engineering and design software, including AutoCAD, GIS applications, and relevant hydrological or hydraulic modelling tools, is an asset.
Ability to integrate environmental, protection, and community-based considerations into technical design and implementation.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and coordination skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Personal Characteristics
Technically competent, detail-oriented, and field-oriented professionals with strong problem-solving abilities and sound engineering judgment, capable of working effectively in challenging and emergency environments. Strong coordination, communication, and teamwork skills are essential to effectively collaborate with UNHCR staff, partners, contractors, and government counterparts. The role also demands good planning and organizational skills, integrity in contract and resource management, cultural sensitivity when engaging with refugees and host communities, resilience under pressure, and a clear commitment to humanitarian principles, protection, safety, and sustainability.
Receiving Agency: UNHCR
P Level: P3
Location: Gambella/Nyien-Yan, Ethiopia
Duration: 6 months
Language: English
Operational Context
At the same time, the operation is pursuing several response approaches to address increasing needs and evolving operational realities. These include optimizing and expanding Luakdong’s existing capacity, improving reception conditions in Tomorok, exploring area-based or community-based response options for refugees living outside the camp after registration, and undertaking preparedness planning for possible future site development if required. These interventions require close technical coordination, field supervision, design review, contractor and partner follow-up, quality assurance, and timely documentation.
The operational context remains complex and time sensitive. Luakdong is located in a low-lying area with drainage and access challenges, while ongoing fuel supply disruptions and the limited availability of resources continue to affect the timely implementation of key civil works. In addition, the need to adapt implementation modalities, including machinery-based, blended, and labour-based approaches, requires close technical oversight and regular follow-up. Given the scale of the ongoing works, the involvement of multiple actors, and the urgency of delivering critical infrastructure and shelter interventions, additional field-based civil engineering technical support is required to strengthen implementation capacity and ensure quality and timely delivery of activities.
Aim of the Mission
The purpose of this assignment is to provide dedicated shelter and civil engineering technical support to the Gambella operation in order to strengthen the planning, implementation, supervision, and quality assurance of ongoing and planned shelter, infrastructure, and site development works under the South Sudan emergency response. The assignment will augment field-level technical capacity to ensure that works are properly planned, monitored, documented, and implemented in accordance with set technical standards, operational priorities, and timelines.Mission Objectives
- To strengthen technical oversight and field-level supervision of shelter, infrastructure, flood mitigation, and site development works under the Gambella refugee response.
- To support the timely and quality implementation of civil works through technical planning, quantification, monitoring, certification, and contract follow-up.
- To enhance the operation’s capacity to adapt implementation approaches, including machinery-based, blended, and labour-based modalities, in response to operational constraints and seasonal priorities.
- To support emergency preparedness and response planning for camp expansion, reception infrastructure, and potential future site development in coordination with UNHCR, partners, and government counterparts.
Responsibilities
Under the supervision of Head of Sub Office , the Civil Engineer will: Perform the below Key responsibilities include:1. Technical planning and implementation support
- Support the planning, design review, and technical assessment of shelter, site development, and civil engineering interventions, including flood mitigation works, drainage systems, dykes, roads, communal facilities, reception infrastructure, schools, public structures, and accommodation facilities.
- Prepare and review of technical documents, drawings, bills of quantities, cost estimates, work plans, specifications, and implementation schedules.
- Provide technical input into settlement/site development options related to camp expansion, reception center improvement, and possible future site development as part of preparedness planning.
- Support the adaptation of implementation strategies based on operational realities, including the use of labour-based and blended implementation modalities where appropriate.
- 2. Supervision, monitoring, and quality assurance
- Provide day-to-day field supervision and monitoring of ongoing construction, rehabilitation, and infrastructure works to ensure compliance with approved designs, technical specifications, quality standards, environmental considerations, and implementation timelines.
- Verify quantities, certify completed works, and support inspection, measurement, and progress validation for contractor and partner-implemented activities.
- Identify technical issues, implementation bottlenecks, and quality concerns in a timely manner, and recommend corrective actions to ensure satisfactory completion of works.
- Monitor progress of critical works, particularly flood mitigation, dyke construction, drainage improvement, and road access works, in view of seasonal constraints and emergency priorities.
- 3. Contract management and technical documentation
- Support the preparation, review, and follow-up of technical documentation related to procurement, implementation, certification, payment, variation orders, and contract amendments.
- Contribute to the documentation of changes in implementation modalities, design adjustments, comparative technical analysis, and justification for amendments where required.
- Maintain proper technical records of works, including site reports, progress updates, measurement sheets, photographic records, and completion documentation.
- Support timely preparation of inputs for technical reports, progress reports, briefing notes, and operational updates.
- 4. Coordination and partner support
- Work closely with UNHCR staff, implementing partners, funded partners, contractors, and government counterparts to facilitate coordinated implementation of shelter, infrastructure, and site-related activities.
- Provide technical guidance and support to field teams and partners on engineering standards, construction quality, implementation methods, and monitoring requirements.
- Participate in relevant coordination meetings, technical discussions, site visits, and planning sessions related to shelter, site planning, and infrastructure response.
- Liaise with relevant technical experts, including surge or standby partner personnel, where deployed, to ensure complementarity of support and coherent technical recommendations.
- 5. Shelter and site management support in line with standard UNHCR functions
- Support the operation in assessing shelter and settlement/site needs, gaps, and priorities for refugees and affected host communities, taking into account protection, safety, dignity, access, and sustainability considerations.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of shelter and settlement strategies in line with UNHCR policies, standards, and operational priorities.
- Assist in ensuring that shelter and infrastructure interventions are informed by technical, protection, environmental, and community-based considerations, including safe access, use of communal facilities, and suitability of sites for habitation and service delivery.
- Support the monitoring of shelter and settlement responses to ensure accountability, quality, and appropriate use of resources.
- Contribute to coordination and information-sharing with relevant internal and external stakeholders on shelter and infrastructure-related matters.
- 6. Preparedness and emergency response support
- Support emergency preparedness actions related to reception capacity, site readiness, flood mitigation, and contingency infrastructure planning in Tomorock, Luakdong, and any other priority locations identified by the operation.
- Provide technical input to preliminary site assessments, site sustainability considerations, and readiness planning for possible future refugee accommodation areas.
- Assist in fast-tracking critical technical actions required ahead of the rainy season, particularly where delays would increase operational or protection risks.
- Undertake other related technical and operational tasks as required to support the emergency response.
PROFILE
ExperienceMinimum of 5–7 years of relevant professional experience in civil engineering, infrastructure development, construction supervision, or site development, preferably in complex field settings.
Proven experience in the planning, design, supervision, and implementation of flood mitigation works, drainage systems, dykes, roads, and related civil works.
Demonstrated experience in preparing and reviewing technical drawings, bills of quantities, specifications, cost estimates, work plans, and contract documentation.
Experience in construction monitoring, measurement, certification, quality assurance, and contractor performance follow-up.
Essential requirements
Experience in humanitarian, refugee, displacement, or other emergency response operations is highly desirable.
Previous experience in low-lying, flood-prone, remote, or operationally constrained environments is a strong asset.
Experience supporting labour-based or blended implementation approaches for infrastructure works is desirable.
Technical Competencies
Strong knowledge of civil engineering principles and construction supervision practices.
Sound understanding of flood mitigation, drainage design, earthworks, road works, and site development in flood-prone settings.
Ability to produce, review, and interpret technical documentation and field implementation reports.
Familiarity with engineering and design software, including AutoCAD, GIS applications, and relevant hydrological or hydraulic modelling tools, is an asset.
Ability to integrate environmental, protection, and community-based considerations into technical design and implementation.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and coordination skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Personal Characteristics
Technically competent, detail-oriented, and field-oriented professionals with strong problem-solving abilities and sound engineering judgment, capable of working effectively in challenging and emergency environments. Strong coordination, communication, and teamwork skills are essential to effectively collaborate with UNHCR staff, partners, contractors, and government counterparts. The role also demands good planning and organizational skills, integrity in contract and resource management, cultural sensitivity when engaging with refugees and host communities, resilience under pressure, and a clear commitment to humanitarian principles, protection, safety, and sustainability.
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.