Architect

Job Highlight

The Architectural Infrastructure Engineer will contribute to the analysis and conceptualization of architectural solutions, to the technical assurance of architectural and design products developed by designers whether internal (retainers or external, if any), verifying their alignment with the contractual scope, design guidelines, functional requirements, applicable regulations, sustainability criteria, and UNOPS quality standards.

About the Region

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.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

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.

About the Project Office

Established in 2005, UNOPS Sudan is a key partner in advancing community well-being through infrastructure, procurement, and project management services that support humanitarian, recovery, and sustainable development efforts. UNOPS contributes to improved access to clean water, supports peacekeeping operations, and assists in implementing the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement by helping operationalize the Permanent Ceasefire Committee for Darfur in collaboration with UNITAMS. Ongoing initiatives focus on enhancing access to water and strengthening health services across the country, with particular efforts in Kassala state to expand diagnostic capacity and upgrade healthcare infrastructure. Through these projects, UNOPS supports stability, resilience, and improved living conditions for communities across Sudan.

Job Specific Context

This position operates within the Africa Region, specifically in Sudan, supporting infrastructure projects. The role requires experience in complex construction projects and, ideally, experience with projects financed by international organizations.

Role Purpose

Under the supervision of The Project Manager, The Architectural Infrastructure Engineer applies fundamental architectural concepts to collect and analyze data, supporting specialists and managers in the design and implementation of infrastructure projects. The role will focus on verifying that deliverables such as conceptual design, technical master plan, comprehensive preliminary design, design basis associated studies, and contracting documents comply with the approved scope, quality requirements, acceptance criteria, applicable regulations, and project needs. This role involves interpreting rules and procedures, and making initial recommendations to ensure that project objectives are met efficiently and effectively, particularly in internationally financed projects.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Technical Management in Preliminary Projects, Designs and Works

• Review the architectural and functional products developed by internal designers or external ones, verifying their compliance with the contractual scope, acceptance criteria, applicable regulations and quality standards defined for the project.
• Provide technical follow-up to the development of deliverables for conceptual design, technical master plan, comprehensive preliminary design, design bases, test plants, public space guidelines, sustainability criteria and associated technical documents.
• Develop deliverable review matrices, lists of technical observations, technical acceptance recommendations, and scope compliance records.
• Identify deviations, omissions, inconsistencies or ambiguities in design products, proposing corrective measures or requests for clarification to the corresponding contractors.
• Support the management team in technical review meetings with designers , and other key project stakeholders.

Assurance of Architectural and Functional Quality

• Verify the consistency between the functional program, design guidelines, preliminary studies, site constraints, master plan, preliminary design, and institutional requirements of the project.
• Review implementation criteria, volume, spatial distribution, circulation, access, cores, evacuation routes, citizen services, work areas, common areas, parking, urban connectors and public space.
• Evaluate the functional quality of the proposed solutions, including spatial efficiency, flexibility, universal accessibility, user experience, safety, future operation and relationship with the urban environment.
• Support the review workspace layout schemes, verifying their consistency with project requirements.
• Document technical observations and recommendations to improve the quality, functionality, and traceability of architectural products.

Interdisciplinary Coordination and Interface Review

• Verify the preliminary compatibility between architecture, structure, electromechanics, mobility, sustainability, BIM, human safety, future operation and enabling works.
• Identify coordination risks between disciplines, including interferences, insufficient technical spaces, shafts, technical rooms, circulation, maintenance access, evacuation criteria, and operational requirements.
• Support the review of preliminary structural, MEP, sustainability, safety, accessibility and BIM criteria from an architectural and functional perspective.
• Coordinate technical observations with project team specialists to ensure a comprehensive review of deliverables.

Risk Management, Document Control and Traceability

• Identify technical risks associated with the design, scope, permits, regulations, costs, schedule, future operation, sustainability, and constructability of the project.
• Maintain technical records of observations, decisions, assumptions, changes, open risks, and recommendations issued during product review.
• Prepare technical reports, monthly reports, progress reports, exception reports, and follow-up documents required by the management team.
• Systematize lessons learned and good practices applicable to design management, technical review and quality assurance.

Skills

Accessibility, Architectural Design, Architectural Drawings, AutoCAD, Construction, Landscape Architecture, Revit

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

• Higher university degree equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in Architecture
• Current membership in the Sudanese Architects association.

Desired

• Specialization, certification or additional training in project management, BIM, sustainability applied to infrastructure, workplace design, LEED or equivalent.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in architecture, design, technical coordination or review of infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience in construction projects, such as offices, public buildings, mixed use, corporate campuses or infrastructure of similar scale.
• Experience in reviewing, coordinating, or technically ensuring design products developed by the designers (internal or external)
• Proven proficiency in AutoCAD and Revit, including the ability to review technical documentation, drawings, models, and design deliverables.

Desired

• Knowledge of applicable regulations in Sudan related to construction, accessibility, human safety and municipal permits.
• Experience in interdisciplinary coordination with specialists in structural engineering, electromechanical engineering, mobility, sustainability, BIM, costs, or scheduling.
• Experience in projects with sustainability components, energy efficiency, LEED, or equivalent certifications

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredArabicFluentRequired

Additional Information

• 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.

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.
• 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.