Civil Engineer

Job Highlight

Drive high-quality infrastructure delivery by providing technical expertise, supervising work, and ensuring compliance with design and safety standards.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Since opening in 2019, the UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) in Vienna has served as a hub for operations across 12 countries in South-East Europe, Türkiye, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. AUMCO delivers technical expertise, operational support, and sustainable infrastructure solutions for governments, donors, and international financial institutions. Flagship initiatives include Blueing the Black Sea—a GEF and World Bank partnership to reduce pollution and promote sustainable development—and Türkiye’s post-earthquake recovery programme, enhancing protective services for women and children. In Albania, projects revitalise cultural heritage and advance digital justice, while in Kosovo, new university infrastructure supports higher education. In Georgia, AUMCO facilitates the Eastern Partnership European School and strengthens rule of law and digital health access. Across Central Asia, activities range from health system strengthening in Uzbekistan to hazardous waste management in Tajikistan. AUMCO also supports UNOPS’ global Water, Environment, and Climate portfolio, reinforcing its role as a regional and thematic centre of excellence.

Job Specific Context

Under the GEF funded project 9421 “Demonstration of non-thermal treatment of DDT wastes in Central Asia”, led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and with UNEP’s GEF Unit as Implementing Agency (IA) and UNEP’s Europe Office as Executing Agency (EA) and UNOPS as technical implementation, tendering and procurement partner, the dedicated UNOPS project aims to strengthen national and regional capacities for managing hazardous waste — particularly DDT and other persistent organic pollutants (POP) — following the guidelines of the Basel and Stockholm Conventions. In specific, UNOPS will be working on the design and construction of containment works in selected sites in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as well as on the procurement of related goods and services for the sites, in order for POP waste to be bio-remediated as project output.

Role Purpose

The Civil Engineer plays a vital role in the day-to-day operations and successful delivery of infrastructure projects within defined time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefit parameters.

Working closely with the Project Manager and project teams, the Civil Engineer performs a broad range of tasks, including assisting in project assessments, preparing bills of quantity (BoQS) and bid documents, supervising works on-site, and conducting technical evaluations to ensure compliance with design standards, quality assurance, occupational health and safety, and environmental management requirements.

The incumbent provides technical expertise, promoting best practices in construction management and ensuring high standards of consistency and quality in project outputs. Through these responsibilities, the Civil Engineer contributes to the achievement of organizational performance goals and overall project success.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Project Planning and Implementation

• Support the preparation of project implementation plans, BoQs, cost estimates and schedules.
• Provide technical input during feasibility studies, needs assessments, and design development.
• Assist in the preparation of tender documents, bid evaluations, and contract award documentation.
• Ensure compliance with technical specifications, contractual provisions, and organizational standards throughout project execution.

Construction and Supervision and Quality Assurance

• Supervise day-to-day construction activities to ensure timely, cost-effective and high-quality delivery.
• Verify material quantities, monitor site activities, and ensure health, safety, social and environmental (HSSE) compliance on all work sites.
• Oversee contractor performance, including site safety, environmental standards, and quality control.
• Liaise with contractors, consultants and engineering teams to resolve technical issues and support effective construction management.

Monitoring, Reporting and Compliance

• Monitor progress against key performance indicators (KPIs) and project success criteria. Contribute data and analysis for reporting.
• Prepare and submit progress reports, site monitoring documentation, and handover/close-out reports.
• Ensure compliance with organizational systems, reporting requirements, and accountability standards.
• Identify risks and issues, recommend corrective actions, and track remedial measures to maintain delivery within scope, budget and schedule.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Collaborate with project managers, procurement teams, and other stakeholders to facilitate smooth project implementation.
• Represent UNOPS in field activities, stakeholder meetings, and technical fora as directed/authorized.
• Support engagement with local authorities, contractors, and beneficiaries to strengthen coordination and project ownership.

Knowledge Building and Sharing

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

Skills

Civil Engineering, Project Engineering, Project Implementation, Project Resource Management, Project Team 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

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Structural Engineering or related fields with 4 years of relevant experience OR
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 2 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

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

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience is work in civil engineering, structural works, construction technology, construction supervision and monitoring, or related areas.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredRussianFluentRequiredTajikFluentRequired

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.