Senior Associate Construction Management Engineer at United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

Functions / Key Results Expected

Construction Management and Site Supervision

• Assist in overseeing day-to-day site operations, ensuring adherence to project specifications, timelines and quality standards.
• Monitor work progress against approved plans and Bills of Quantity (BoQs), reporting potential risks, delays or cost deviations to the supervisor.
• Verify that works comply with contract documents, technical drawings, and applicable safety and environmental standards. 
• Conduct regular site inspections and prepare detailed progress, quality and health, safety, social and environment (HSSE) reports.
• Supervise contractors’ work, assess completed quantities and recommend interim and final payments.
• Review and verify variation orders, ensuring justification, accuracy and compliance with design and budget parameters.
• Support the preparation and implementation of risk assessments, method statements, and HSSE plans, enforcing compliance on-site.
• Lead or participate in site meetings with contractors and relevant stakeholders, maintaining accurate records of discussions, issues and actions.
• Identify and address construction issues proactively, ensuring minimal disruption to project timelines. 

Technical Documentation and Quality Assurance

• Assist in coordinating technical documentation, drawings and specifications to meet project and UNOPS standards.
• Contribute to developing and updating work plans and schedules to ensure alignment with time, cost and quality requirements.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including registers for drawings, payments, variations, safety inspections and materials testing.
• Prepare and review technical reports, inspection checklists, site diaries, and contractor correspondence.
• Draft and review Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) based on verified progress and quality benchmarks.
• Support quality management activities by developing inspection and test plans, conducting material checks, and verifying contractor quality control procedures.
• Review and maintain records related to design modifications, variation justifications, and lessons learned.

Monitoring, Reporting and Risk Management

• Prepare regular (weekly and monthly) project progress reports detailing physical and financial performance, safety compliance and risks.
• Maintain updated risk and issue registers, and propose mitigation measures where applicable.
• Track contractor performance against milestones and assist in preparing management summaries for project reviews.
• Support the project manager and procurement team in bid evaluations and preparation of tender documentation when required.
• Provide input for project close-out reports and lessons-learned documentation.

Stakeholder and Team Coordination 

• Maintain effective communication with contractors, suppliers, local authorities, and implementing partners to ensure coordinated project delivery.
• Assist the project manager in guiding and mentoring junior engineers, architects and site personnel.
• Participate in coordination meetings, ensuring timely follow-up on action points.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with community representatives and site visitors, ensuring transparent communication on project activities.

Knowledge Building and Sharing 

• Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on project management and construction management.
• Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned.
• Conduct research on infrastructure- and project management-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes.

Skills

Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Data Analysis, Inventory Management, Logistics Management, Project Management

Competencies

• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational 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.

Education Requirements

Required

• Secondary school (or equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or related disciplines with 3 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• A recognized professional certification or membership in a civil, structural or construction engineering association, at the national or international level, is desirable.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience is work in building construction, site supervision or infrastructure project management or similar fields.
• Experience in quality control, monitoring and reporting within construction projects is required.
• Demonstrable proficiency in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems are required.