Senior Geotechnical Engineer at UNOPS

Vacancy code: VA/2025/B5302/29708
 

The Position

• The Senior Geotechnical Engineer is considered a valuable asset to the UNOPS team in Nigeria with regard to the Nigeria Erosion & Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) which aims at addressing the menace of gully erosion and other forms of land degradation in targeted watersheds in Nigeria. 
• The objective is to reduce vulnerability to soil erosion in targeted sub-watersheds. The World Bank has been funding NEWMAP since September 2013 and worked on putting in place the necessary structure to ensure implementation and sustainability. Funding from the World Bank has ended and the project has been closed since 30th June 2022. 
• The EIB loan, under the project name “Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion & Watershed project” represents a scale-up phase. 
• The Senior Geotechnical Engineer will give his/her technical expertise to advise on Geotechnical Investigations, analysis, reporting and application approaches which align with international good practice. 
• He or she will also participate in site monitoring and implementation support missions to provide opinions and suggestions for consideration of the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) and EIB. Adopting a delivery approach which is evidence based, embeds sustainability,  and mainstreams gender, to ensure people are connected and are able to access basic services. The Senior Geotechnical Engineer will also be required to respond to other related tasks that will be assigned in response to the Project needs
• The Senior Geotechnical Engineer is part of the Infrastructure/ Engineering Team, reporting to the Senior Project Manager in Nigeria. 
• The Senior Geotechnical Engineer engages in the day-to-day operations of the project and holds relevant functional technical engagements.  The Senior Geotechnical Engineer is required to have extensive and varied design and construction experience. 
• He/she is expected to meet and exceed the organization's performance and delivery goals.
• She/He will be requested to work from their duty station and be prepared to travel to any site in or around Nigeria as required and as the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) permits.

Functional Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Head of Program for the West Africa Multy-Coutry Office (WAMCO) the Senior Geotechnical Engineer will be responsible for the following substantive tasks involving the following but not limited to:

• Advise on alignment with international good practice
• Site Monitoring and implementation support missions
• Capacity Strengthening
• Reporting
• Knowledge sharing.

Advise on alignment with international good practice:

• Working closely with the UNOPS Senior Project Manager to provide Engineering advise on the planning of projects, scheduling of tasks and developing an integrated project design
• Advise on good practice in Geotechnical Engineering investigation, analysis and reporting in accordance with UNOPS, local and international standards
• Advise on adopting context appropriate technology/techniques and how to embed sustainable solutions as well as whole life-costing in the design development process
• Advise on the use of Geotechnical Engineering software solutions in testing, analysis and reporting
• Advise on completeness of Technical Geotechnical Engineering documents for procurement
• Advise on highest standards of archiving project Engineering products including all design documentation, memos and instructions in correct format and in line with approved archiving procedures.

Site Monitoring and implementation support missions:

• Advise on site monitoring methodologies and participate in site monitoring visits in order to check progress on approved plans and on adherence to Quality Management Plans and Health, Safety, Social and Environmental requirements.
• Advise on approaches for testing and commissioning prior to handover and acceptance of deliverable to Client.
• Advise on completeness of handover documentation, including as-built drawings
• Input into the Site Monitoring Methodology including checklists, questionnaire, reporting format, etc. and include in the PIM
• Input into a semi-annual / annual Site Monitoring missions Plan in consultation with the respective SPIUs, FPMU, and the EIB
• Conduct site monitoring as per the plan, prepare report with observations and suggestions and submit
• Follow-on on the effectiveness of the implemented suggestions, learn and improve accordingly.
• Identify the need for improving the methodology or plan, and adjust accordingly

Capacity Strengthening:

• Provide training and knowledge transfer to the Engineering personnel as per needs assessment
• Continually identify the need for capacity strengthening (if any) during implementation and plan and agree accordingly with the Senior Project Manager and all stakeholders.

Reporting:

• Timely delivery of the expected output and identification of risk of delay and development of mitigation measures
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of implementation plan progress
• Advise on report, summarizing progress of task, risk, issues and any other pertinent facts as required
• Produce any appropriate documentation identified by the Senior Project Manager in a professional and accurate manner

Knowledge sharing:

• Contribute to the project evaluation process; highlight challenges associated with the project and feedback into a continuous improvement cycle.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of good practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.

Impact of Results:

• The hub has consistent messaging across multiple platforms regarding our projects and operations.

Education / Experience / Language Requirements
Education:

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree) in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering or a related field is required.
• A First-Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering or a related field in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant work experience will be accepted in lieu of the Master’s Degree requirement.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years previous experience in Infrastructure development with focus on Geotechnical investigations, analysis and recommendations, soil erosion control and soil stabilization of similar projects (including the suitability of the site for safe and economical structures) is required
• The minimum required years of experience must include at least two (2) years past experience in Capacity strengthening.
• Past experience working with Government institutions and/or donor funded projects is desirable
• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures is an advantage
• Experience in Design development and Management, Construction implementation, Construction Supervision, and Contract Administration is desirable.
• Experience in Quality Management, Health and Safety Management, and Environmental and Social Management is desirable.
• Multi-disciplinary planning experience is desirable.
• Work experience in Sub-Saharan Africa is a great asset.

Certifications:

• Professional certification with a Recognized Engineering Professional Body with a valid license to practice is desirable.
• Language requirements
• Full working knowledge of English is required.
• Working knowledge of French is desirable.