Lead Civil Engineer, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

## Lead Civil Engineer, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea - Organization:UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services - Country:Papua New Guinea - Office:UNOPS Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Position Title:Lead Civil Engineer Job Category:Engineer Duty Station(s):Port Moresby Seniority Level:Mid Level Contract Type:ICA - LICA - Specialist - Regular Contract Level:LICA 10 Posting Start Date:25-Aug-2026 Posting End Date:20-Sep-2026 Duration:Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. Drive impactful infrastructure projects from conception to completion, setting the benchmark for excellence in quality, safety, and timely delivery. The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region. About the Country/Multi-Country Office The East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), headquartered in Bangkok, supports UNOPS operations across 24 countries in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and the Pacific. Established in January 2023, EAPMCO provides strategic direction, operational support, and quality assurance to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of projects across its portfolio. EAPMCO implements initiatives in priority areas such as energy transition, climate change, and sustainable development, drawing on UNOPS' core expertise in human resources, procurement, infrastructure, fund management, and programme management. About the Project Office UNOPS has supported Papua New Guinea (PNG) since 2016, initially partnering with the Global Fund to strengthen public health services. In 2020, a dedicated country office was established to manage UNOPS' growing portfolio, which spans infrastructure, procurement, and project management. UNOPS currently works with the Government of PNG, the World Bank, the European Union, and the Governments of Australia and New Zealand on initiatives in health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and sustainable energy, supporting the country's development priorities through tailored, results-driven solutions. The Milne Bay Project is a climate-resilient infrastructure initiative funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and implemented by UNOPS in Papua New Guinea. The project delivers practical, climate-resilient infrastructure solutions to address water, sanitation and power supply challenges across Rabaraba, Esa'ala, and the Deboyne Islands within Milne Bay Province. The initiative aligns directly with key national and provincial development frameworks: - PNG National Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Policy 2015-2030: Expands access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, reduces waterborne diseases, promotes integrated water resource management and empowers local community participation in service delivery. - District Service Improvement Programme (DSIP): Supports the Milne Bay Provincial Government's efforts to deliver reliable, affordable power to target communities - Medium Term Development Plan IV (2023 - 2027): Advances PNG's vision for universal access to improved WASH and electricity services. By prioritizing sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient infrastructure, the project contributes to multiple Sustainable Development Golds (SDGs) and aligns with DFAT's strategic priorities. It focuses on empowering marginalized and vulnerable populations - including women, girls, persons with disabilities, and communities directly exposed to climate change, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events. The Lead Civil Engineer position provides technical expertise and support in the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of infrastructure projects. The incumbent ensures the successful delivery of infrastructure projects, adhering to quality standards, timelines, and budgetary constraints. The scope of the assignment includes collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, managing project operations, engaging with stakeholders, managing finances, preparing reports, and working in complex environments with limited resources. Functions / Key Results Expected 1. Technical Design and Procurement Support - Prepare the Design Briefs/concept design report and support the Project Manager with the management of the concept design review process as directed by the UNOPS Design Review Manager. - Submit Design Briefs for all planned infrastructure -activities including; conceptual designs, specifications, standards, budget estimates, timeframes and strategies for execution; - For all infrastructure activities approved to proceed, prepare Final Design documentation, including: Scope of Works (SoW), site information, budget, specifications, schedules, Bill of Quantities (BoQ), calculations and construction drawings; - Submit requisition - and coordinate with Procurement unit to complete the procurement process, including: development of relevant tender documents, evaluation of tenders and issuing of works contracts; 2. Construction works supervision - Provide expert opinion/advice to the Project Managers and the other engineers on all engineering issues for assigned works. - Contribute to development, implementation, monitoring and updating of the Project plans and strategies in order to ensure delivery according to the scope budget and time. - Provide regular reports to the Project Managers and provide inputs for the periodic and final Reports to inform donors and the key stakeholders on Project progress. - Manage contractors and contract execution to ensure delivery according to the scope, budget and time and in compliance with the technical documentation. - Formulate and/or check and revise Terms of Reference, scope of works and all technical documents/designs in line with national legal framework and UNOPS norms and standards. - Ensure that documentation on site is kept according to operating procedure for planning and construction (daily logs, quantity books, approvals, act of appointments, tests, attest documentation). - Maintain the cooperation with the construction supervisors, contractors, designers and local authorities. - Ensure respect of Health and Safety procedures on the site and notify the Supervisor of any irregularities immediately after. - Perform other duties as assigned by the PM in the agreed time frame. - Implement quality controls (QC) procedures, to ensure all infrastructure activities are correctly initiated, managed, monitored, reported and closed in accordance with UNOPS policies and procedures. - Supervise the quality of the construction materials and collected attest documentation. - Verify and contribute to technical specifications of products, apparatus, services and associated quality material. - Ensure the contractor provides a method statement for works prior commencement and performs the quality check of the presented document. - During the Defect Notification Period (DNP), intervene as required and liaise with the contractor to fix in a timely manner issues that arise and are covered by th