Geotechnical Engineer

Organizational Context

UNOPS operates in Latin America and the Caribbean, delivering high-impact solutions for sustainable development, focusing on resilient infrastructure and public health. In Panama, UNOPS supports national projects, requiring professionals to adhere to protocols, document activities, and manage work transparently and efficiently. The organization aims to build national capacity and advance Sustainable Development Goals through practical, results-oriented support.

Job Purpose

The Geotechnical Engineer provides essential technical expertise to ensure the viability, quality, and safety of infrastructure projects in Panama. This role involves issuing technical opinions, preparing documentation, analyzing designs, and offering field support for project management. The engineer must ensure compliance with relevant codes and standards, conduct site visits, and utilize specialized geotechnical software. This is a retainer contract position, with work activated based on an approved work plan and paid per day worked, offering intermittent and punctual service provision over a defined period.

Responsibilities

Provide technical expertise, opinions, and recommendations for infrastructure projects to ensure viability and quality, coordinating corrective measures with the UNOPS team. Develop technical documents, terms of reference, and specialized geotechnical specifications. Analyze and validate designs, ensuring the accuracy of geotechnical studies and technical files against site conditions. Serve as a technical resource for complex queries. Utilize geotechnical software for modeling and analysis of slopes, foundations, and retaining structures. Apply national and international codes and regulations. Design and supervise geotechnical investigations, ensuring data quality. Analyze soil-structure interaction and define seismic design parameters. Support procurement by preparing and reviewing technical annexes for tenders and evaluating contractor offers. Provide on-site support by coordinating the geotechnical component during execution, evaluating compliance reports, conducting site visits, and supervising quality control for earthworks and foundations. Recommend solutions for problematic soils and assess contractor methodologies.

Work Experience

Required: Minimum of 2 years of progressive experience in geotechnical engineering, including design and/or analysis. Experience developing technical specifications and/or terms of reference. Proficiency in geotechnical modeling and analysis software. Desirable: Experience in infrastructure construction supervision, working with UNOPS or UN agencies, and seismic design of geotechnical structures.

Skills

Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Analysis, Structural Engineering, Project Management, Reporting & Analysis, Client Services, Reporting, Structural Geology

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