Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS’s mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments, and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure, and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation, and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peace-building contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical, and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

General Background – UNOPS in Yemen

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has caused significant disruptions to the supply chain and to the overall availability of services. In light of the reduced or even absent provision of public services, communities have adopted various coping strategies, including using alternate water and energy sources, relying on alternate service providers and community-based service delivery initiatives to address the shortfall.

Physical damage to infrastructure and the lack of functionality in one sector often spills over into other sectors with significant consequences on both the access to, and quality of services, which are often interrelated.

Yemen Emergency Lifeline Connectivity Project (YELCP) – Funded by World Bank

The objectives of this project are to provide climate-resilient road access and employment and entrepreneurship opportunities to the food-insecure rural population of Yemen. YELCP is implemented through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in partnership with the Rural Access Program (RAP) as a local implementation partner. The financing instrument of the project is Investment Project Financing with an operational life of three years and eleven months. The Project will finance the rehabilitation of lifeline rural access roads in selected areas in Yemen to contribute toward addressing road access to food and other humanitarian needs, and unemployment, whilst laying the foundation to (i) build resilience to climate change-induced vulnerabilities, (ii) reduce gender gaps, and (iii) build the capacities of RAP and RMF through a dedicated capacity building program.

The Project has four components as follows:

Component 1: Rural and Village Access Roads Improvement and Maintenance; Sub-Component 1.A: Rehabilitation of Lifeline Rural Access Roads; Sub-Component 1.B: Employment-Intensive Road Maintenance

Component 2: Strengthening Management Capacity of Transport Sector Public Institutions

Component 3: Project Implementation and Monitoring Support, Studies and Preparatory Activities

Component 4: Contingent Emergency Response

We are currently looking for young Yemeni national Engineers with a strong sense of professional and social commitment to join YELCP as Engineering Interns. This is an opportunity for young Engineers to obtain the necessary training and work experience so that they will be better prepared to be employed in their chosen field in the future. The appointments are strictly for a period of six to twelve months and no further extensions will be given.

The selected candidates will be placed in UNOPS Sana’a Office where they are required to be based for the duration of the assignment. Although the project will provide funds for the positions, UNOPS will also provide limited training opportunities for successful candidates.

Engineering Interns will work with the senior engineers in the UNOPS Office and contribute to the design, construction, and maintenance of public infrastructure, as a part of a team of government engineers, architects, and other professionals. They will support the experienced professionals by assisting them in various design and construction-related tasks while developing their practical engineering skills to help them in future career development. Engineering Interns will be engaged in activities such as (but not limited to) the following:

• Participate in preparing engineering documents such as plans, drawings, designs, reviews, and reports.
• Participate in the technical and administrative support throughout all stages of the project by executing/administering a variety of technical design transactions, preparing materials/documentation, and complying with UNOPS processes and procedures.
• Participate in regular site visits to targeted facilities for supervision purposes and/or monitor ongoing work.
• Participate in the supervision of site work conducted by Contractors.
• Participate in contract management including taking site measurements, contract variations, QA/QC inspections, keeping site records, and health, safety, social and environmental inspections.
• Participate in project procurement matters such as preparing tender documents, tendering, contract negotiations, and awards

1. In close cooperation with the internship program coordinator (Diversity and Socail Inclusion Officer), under the guidance of the technical supervisors ( Road specialist), the engineering Interns will assist in performing/reviewing engineering works, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance of assigned engineering activities with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies;.
• Assist in design drawings and other documentation in their field of specialization.
• Assist in contract management including taking site measurements, contract variations, QA/QC inspections, keeping site records, and health, safety, and environmental inspections.

2. Assist in supervising the works on site on a regular basis.

• Conduct regular site visits to investigate, supervise and/or monitor ongoing work.
• Assisting in site surveys, and preparing survey plans and reports.
• Assist in the supervision of site work conducted by Contractors.

3. Assist in collating feedback and preparing related reports.

• Assist in reviewing contractor reports
• Assist in ensuring that all related work reporting tools and forms are in place in the field
• Assist in the regular engineering or HSSE reporting

Training components and learning elements

The internship is a learning and working opportunity that targets graduates, both fresh and those already in the job market. The intern will assist the Project Manager efficiently and effectively with engineering-related tasks. The Interns will be exposed a practical learning and working experiences that foster the development of his/her path.

Academic qualifications:

• The candidates should have graduated from a recognized engineering university or are currently enrolled in a University
• The candidates who have graduated should have graduated a maximum of three years from the date application
• The candidate must have a BSc degree in civil engineering or related field (Architectural engineering) . The degree/certificate must have been completed in or after 2021
• Basic ability to use contemporary computer applications is required; Basic ability to use related engineering software is desired

Contract type: Internship
Contract level: Internship
Contract duration: 6-12 months

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
• This position is open for nationals only

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.
• 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.