Ingénieur Hydro-agricole

Organizational Context

The UNOPS Regional Office for Africa, based in Nairobi, oversees over 250 projects in 40 countries, focusing on fragile and conflict-affected regions. It supports national priorities through strategic initiatives in climate action, health, infrastructure, peace, and security. The office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and supervision in key areas, contributing to sustainable infrastructure development and improved community livelihoods across Africa.

Job Purpose

The Hydro-Agricultural Engineer provides primary technical expertise for the verification, supervision, quality control, and acceptance of hydro-agricultural works for the PICAGL project. This role ensures that all constructed works strictly adhere to approved plans, technical specifications, applicable standards, contractual requirements, environmental and social stipulations, HSSE regulations, and international best practices for irrigation, drainage, and rural infrastructure. The engineer's contribution is critical to the successful completion and quality assurance of vital agricultural infrastructure, directly impacting project outcomes and community benefits in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Responsibilities

The Hydro-Agricultural Engineer is responsible for the technical diagnosis of existing structures and remaining works, conducting regular site visits to monitor daily activities, and documenting progress on earthworks, canals, drains, control structures, and access roads. They will supervise the technical execution of all hydro-agricultural components, ensuring compliance with topographical surveys, alignments, elevations, and cross-sections. Quality assurance includes reviewing contractor quality plans, validating materials, and overseeing required tests for soil, concrete, and other materials. The engineer will review execution documents, analyze technical modifications, and provide expert opinions on proposed solutions. Contractual responsibilities involve verifying measurements, progress reports, and payment requests, while also contributing to the technical closure of works, including final inspections and punch list verification. Integration of HSSE, environmental, and social requirements into construction methods is paramount, alongside providing technical support for project management reporting and facilitating information flow among stakeholders.

Work Experience

Required experience includes designing, supervising, quality controlling, or technically managing hydro-agricultural, hydraulic, rural, or civil engineering infrastructure projects. Proven experience in supervising irrigation, drainage, hydro-agricultural development, erosion control, hydraulic structures, or rural road works is essential. Experience in technical coordination of multidisciplinary teams, contractor supervision, and contract follow-up is also required. Desired experience includes working on projects funded by international donors, multilateral banks, or UN organizations, particularly in Central Africa or the DRC, and familiarity with relevant software like AutoCAD, Civil 3D, QGIS/ArcGIS, and MS Project.

Skills

AutoCAD, Drainage, Hydraulics, Hydrology, Irrigation, Quality Assurance, Technical Analysis, Site Supervision, Contract Management, Risk Management, Environmental Compliance, HSSE

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