Design Review Engineer

Job Highlight

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the safety and sustainability of infrastructure projects worldwide. The position offers a unique blend of technical expertise, project coordination, and knowledge sharing, with opportunities to influence design standards and improve project outcomes in diverse operational contexts.

About the Group

The Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) provides policy, standards guidance and support in three UNOPS service lines of Project Management, Infrastructure and Financial Management Services (Grant Support and Fund Management). IPMG leads the design and implementation of a project, programme and portfolio management (P3M) system centered around the needs of UNOPS partners, beneficiaries and frontline personnel. IPMG also drives UNOPS efforts to leverage sustainable, resilient and inclusive infrastructure and maximize local capacity through grant support management to achieve sustainable development. Through thought leadership, we aim to position UNOPS with its partners, foster innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development, and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes speeding up the implementation of urgent infrastructure and scaling up infrastructure service delivery, particularly in relation to climate action and energy. Our delivery approach to project management, infrastructure and grant support management prioritizes development needs, empowers institutions and communities, builds partners’ capacity, champions gender equality and social inclusion and reduces environmental impact. IPMG translates policy into practice by providing strategic direction, standards and oversight, while facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity-building for UNOPS teams globally.

Job Specific Context

The Portfolio Delivery Support unit as part of IPMG, provides support and an organizational oversight function and considers the application of standards, guidance and best practice throughout the execution of programmes and associated projects.

This unit delivers support and oversight functions through two technical support streams, the infrastructure and the project management streams. The Infrastructure stream includes the Design Review Team (DR).

The technical support streams are responsible for supporting delivery scale-up & speed-up by expanding the portfolio delivery support by enhancing the consultation and approval of IPMG related policy interpretations, exceptions, waivers, and policy-related advice to the field. The team also supports IPMG's role in Operational Risk Management, including undertaking Risk Based Performance Assessment missions, leading and coordinating technical support on operational risk mitigation in Country Offices with relevant gaps. In addition to the Infrastructure Consultancy Services Global LTA Management.

The IPMG’s Design Review team fulfills a dual mandate. The first role is to verify the technical competency of all UNOPS infrastructure designs, ensuring minimum requirements for life safety and functionality are met, and promoting a consistent, effective, and efficient approach for our donors and beneficiaries. Ensuring that minimum requirements for life safety and functionality of design is maintained and to achieve a consistent, effective and efficient approach in infrastructure activities for our donors and beneficiaries. The second role is to act as a Centre of Excellence and Strategic Partner, focusing on knowledge-sharing, best practice dissemination, expert technical guidance, and cultivating informed risk management in infrastructure design. This position is within the Design Review team.

Role Purpose

Under the direction of the Design Review Team Lead, the successful incumbent will be responsible for helping to ensure the safety and functionality of UNOPS infrastructure. More specifically, the Design Review Engineer will be responsible for:

1. The evaluation and review of medium and high-risk infrastructure works and verifying reviews of low risk works.
2. Engaging with design teams and IPMG design review technical retainers to identify and resolve technical design issues.
3. Providing technical guidance on design aspects of infrastructure works.
4. Cultivating informed risk management in infrastructure design.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Technical Analysis of Design

• The Design Reviewer Engineer will play a support role in assuring the safety and quality of designs for UNOPS infrastructure. Applying his/her technical expertise and professional experience, directed by the Design Review Team Lead, the Engineer will liaise with third-party reviewers to review and issue reports for the designs of medium and high-risk works and verify the process of review of low-risk projects.

2. Engage with infrastructure teams on technical issues

• The incumbent will regularly engage with infrastructure project teams to evaluate and support technical design development and design review processes with field office project teams, third-party design reviewers, and peer reviewers of design packages.

3. Engage with infrastructure teams on coordination of project requirements and design review

• The Design Review Engineer will regularly communicate and coordinate with field office design teams to successfully resolve technical issues or designed elements that deviate from codes. When appropriate, the Engineer will also support the development of local design management activities and guide project teams on control / assurance procedures that support efficient delivery of competent design packages.

• The Design Review Engineer will act primarily as the Focal Point for a Region (for example Asia / Middle East / Latin America / Central Europe / Africa). Depending on workload, the role may also engage with country offices / projects not specifically within their primary geographic area.

4. Development of Design Review reporting

• The Design Review Engineer will assist the team in organizing and summarizing technical data from Design Review activities and support the development of monthly reports for senior management.

5. Application of professional judgement

• To ensure the safety and functionality of UNOPS infrastructure while recognizing the circumstances and constraints of the UNOPS operational context, the Design Review Engineer will be required to apply professional judgment in the technical application of relevant engineering codes and standards and the evaluation of design packages.

6. Independence, Integrity and Opportunity

• In the performance of his/her services, the Design Review Engineer will provide independent technical evaluation and recommendations, free of conflicts of interests, and be able to maintain the integrity of the technical opinion against project pressures.

7. Monitoring and Progress Control

• Ongoing assessment of task completion that meets quality expectations

• Successfully meeting deadlines

• Completing progress reports as required

8. Center of Excellence

• The incumbent shall contribute to the team's mandate as a Center of Excellence and Strategic Partner by actively engaging in knowledge-sharing and the systematic capture and dissemination of best practices in infrastructure design across the organization. This includes providing expert technical guidance to project teams, developing guidance material, and cultivating a culture of informed risk management in the application of engineering codes and standards, thereby enhancing project quality, sustainability, and operational outcomes.

Skills

Communication, Engineering Design, Problem Solving, Quality Assurance, Report Writing, Stakeholder Management, Technical Analysis

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

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 Electrical, Mechanical, Civil Engineering or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience OR
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 5 years of relevant experience is required

Desired

• A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate or licensure in engineering (CEng, PE, P.Eng, or equivalent) is considered an asset.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience is work in infrastructure design development or design review or related areas.

Desired

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in technical infrastructure engineering/design production with focus on stakeholder coordination and effective resolution of technical issues in development context is considered an asset.
• Experience in buildings and other vertical infrastructure, transport infrastructure (bridges, roads, ports and airports), utilities infrastructure (water/wastewater treatment and delivery systems, green power technologies, irrigation, solid waste management) is highly desired.
• Experience in infrastructure in a developing country context is considered an asset.
• Experience performing engineering design software (e.g Bentley, ETABS, SAP2000 or similar) and preparing/editing AutoCAD design files is an asset.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredSpanishFluentDesirablePortugueseFluentDesirableArabicFluentDesirableUkrainianFluentDesirableRussianFluentDesirable

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.