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.

This position operates within the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, focusing on critical infrastructure development across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan. The Lead Structural Engineer will play a pivotal role in designing safe, durable, and efficient structural solutions for a diverse portfolio of projects, including health, education, and public facilities, directly contributing to sustainable development and resilience in underserved and conflict-affected regions. The role demands a deep understanding of site-specific challenges, international design standards, and multidisciplinary coordination to ensure successful project outcomes.

The Lead Structural Engineer manages and provides authoritative advice on structural design projects, adapting existing policies and approaches to meet emerging client and project needs within the Horn of Africa. The incumbent is responsible for independently performing structural analysis, developing design solutions, ensuring compliance with international standards, and supervising technical aspects of project delivery, thereby contributing to the successful implementation of UNOPS' infrastructure mandate.

1. Site Assessment and Site Investigation Follow-up

• Review site conditions including topography, terrain, and existing infrastructure to identify design constraints.
• Interpret topographic surveys, geotechnical reports, and relevant environmental data to support design decisions.
• Assess site-specific risks such as settlement, slope instability, and groundwater conditions.
• Evaluate soil properties and bearing capacity to inform foundation design.
• Support feasibility assessments and selection of appropriate structural systems.

2. Structural Design

• Perform structural system selection, structural design and analysis of buildings and civil works, including superstructure and foundation systems under relevant load combinations.
• Develop structural solutions that are safe, durable, efficient, and constructible.
• Ensure appropriate consideration of load paths, stability, serviceability, and material performance.
• Apply relevant international and national design standards and codes.

3. Design Deliverables

• Prepare structural drawings, design calculations, design reports, presentations, design brief, technical specifications, and Bills of Quantities (BoQs).
• Ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance of all design outputs.
• Address design review comments and update deliverables accordingly.
• Maintain organized and traceable documentation of all design work.

4. Procurement Support

• Provide technical input to tender document preparation, including specifications and BoQs.
• Support clarification of technical queries during the bidding process.
• Assist in the technical evaluation of proposals where required.

5. Construction Support and Quality Assurance

• Respond to design clarification requests; Revise designs; Provide details when requested by the Project Implementation team
• Review shop drawings, method statements, and material submissions.
• Support resolution of technical issues encountered on site.
• Review as-built drawings and contribute to progress and quality reporting.
• Provide technical support during construction to ensure compliance with design intent and specifications.

6. Coordination and Technical Interface

• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams including architectural, geotechnical, and MEP disciplines.
• Ensure proper integration of structural systems within the overall project design.
• Participate in technical discussions and coordination meetings as required.

7. Knowledge Management

• Maintain proper documentation of structural design outputs and reports.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the team.

Required

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, is required.

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline, combined with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Required

• Relevant professional experience in the structural design of buildings and civil works is required, including experience in the design and analysis of reinforced concrete and/or steel structures; preparation of structural drawings, design reports and Bills of Quantities (BoQs); use of structural design software such as ETABS, SAP2000, SAFE, Robot, or equivalent; and interpretation of topographic surveys and geotechnical investigation reports.

• A valid practicing professional Structural Engineering license is required (please attach to application).
  
  

Desired

• Experience in infrastructure or public facility projects, international design standards, and/or working with the United Nations is desirable.

• 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.
  

• 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.
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.