General Information

Position Title

Civil Engineer

Job Category

Engineer

Duty Station(s)

Philipsburg

Seniority Level

Associate

ICS Level

ICS 08

Contract Type

ICA – LICA – Specialist – Regular

Contract Level

LICA 8

Posting Start Date

03-Dec-2025

Posting End Date

05-Jan-2026

Duration

Ongoing

Job Highlight

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

About the Region

In Latin America and the Caribbean, UNOPS operates across 23 countries, delivering high-impact solutions that drive sustainable development. UNOPS focuses on building and improving resilient infrastructure—including roads, bridges, public facilities, sanitation systems, and housing—to enhance quality of life and foster inclusive growth. UNOPS also supports public health by procuring essential medicines and medical equipment, ensuring broader access to healthcare services. By strengthening institutional capacities, UNOPS promotes transparent, efficient, and equitable public management. As a trusted partner to governments and development stakeholders, UNOPS aligns its interventions with national priorities, helping countries advance the Sustainable Development Goals through practical, results-driven support.

About the Project Office

The core purpose is to support the “Implementation Support for the Sanitation Project for the Sint Maarten Dutch Quarter.” The project aims to improve access to reliable and sustainable sanitation services for the local population.

The project is focused and strictly limited to the Dutch Quarter in Philipsburg.

Job Specific Context

The Civil Engineer manages and supervises infrastructure works carried out by implementing partners and contractors. The role is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day design, construction and procurement activities, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

The core purpose is to support the “Implementation Support for the Sanitation Project for the Sint Maarten Dutch Quarter.” The project aims to improve access to reliable and sustainable sanitation services for the local population.

The project is focused and strictly limited to the Dutch Quarter in Philipsburg.

Role Purpose

The Civil Engineer will perform his/her duties under the direct supervision of the Lead Engineer. Besides attending to the project office, the engineer will regularly perform on site.

Among his/her main responsibilities are:

1. Management of design adjustments

2. Procurement Support

3. General construction

4. Construction supervision

Functions / Key Results Expected

The Civil Engineer will undertake the following key activities:

1. Design Adjustment Management

• Prepare and review proposals for design adjustments, in coordination with relevant technical resources.
• Review and comment on design adjustment proposals submitted by the Contractor.
• Coordinate with all involved parties to ensure timely and technically sound design modifications.
• Perform any other activities relevant to this phase.

2. Procurement Support

• Contribute to the preparation of Terms of Reference (ToRs) and technical documentation for the procurement of engineering services, works, and equipment.
• Participate in the evaluation of technical and financial proposals from contractors and suppliers, providing specialized input.

3. General construction management

• Support the Lead Engineer in managing, and monitoring the approved construction contract.
• Maintain a continuous UNOPS presence on site during construction.
• Monitor work progress, quality, and compliance with timelines and technical specifications.
• Advise the Lead Engineer on corrective actions for delays, cost overruns, or quality issues.
• Verify quantities of works (BoQ) against contract provisions and report irregularities.
• Prepare project documentation, including progress reports, site assessments, meeting minutes, instructions, change orders, invoice reviews, certifications, and handover documents.
• Facilitate coordination with authorities, stakeholders, and donor representatives during site visits.
• Provide incident and issue reports covering financial, quality, safety, and environmental matters.
• Undertake any other activities relevant to this phase.

4. Construction Supervision

• Develop templates, procedures, and cost estimates to implement the Quality Management Plan within budget.
• Ensure strict implementation of quality control requirements, coordinating with laboratories, surveyors, inspectors, and specialist consultants.
• Manage contracts for supervision support resources, including invoice verification and approval recommendations.
• Conduct daily inspections and issue supervision memoranda for identified defects or omissions.
• Prepare Monthly Supervision Reports consolidating all inspection and testing results.
• Review Contractor’s progress and quality reports informing the Lead Engineer.
• Support the Lead engineer in managing claims, applying sanctions, and ensuring contractual compliance.
• Perform any other activities relevant to this phase.

Skills

Civil Engineering, Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Wastewater Treatment, Water Distribution, Water Supply, Water Treatment

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 Engineer or related fields with 2 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields

Experience Requirements

Required

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in construction projects.
• Knowledge of relevant industry standards and best practices in water and sanitation.

Desired

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

• Experience working in the Caribbean region is highly desirable.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequired

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that 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.
• 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.

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.