Lead Engineer - Infrastructure Specialist
Organizational Context
UNOPS operates in Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on building resilient infrastructure and supporting public health to enhance quality of life and foster inclusive growth. The Barbados Country Office serves as a strategic hub for 17 Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), streamlining logistics and fostering collaboration to deliver high-value solutions aligned with regional priorities, including infrastructure and capacity development.
Job Purpose
This role serves as a Lead Engineer - Infrastructure Specialist within the Caribbean Resilient Infrastructure Implementation and Skills Exchange (RIISE) Facility. The purpose is to provide demand-driven technical assistance and expertise to support governments in implementing climate-resilient infrastructure projects. The role involves both remote advisory support and on-site deployments across participating Caribbean countries, addressing complex project execution bottlenecks and ensuring effective problem resolution through direct engagement and collaboration with government counterparts. The ultimate goal is to strengthen institutional capacity and facilitate knowledge exchange for sustainable infrastructure development.
Responsibilities
The Lead Engineer - Infrastructure Specialist is responsible for leading the planning and technical implementation of infrastructure activities, including site investigations, feasibility studies, and design validation. This includes reviewing documentation to ensure quality, constructability, and regulatory compliance, while providing expert technical advice. The role involves leading construction supervision, ensuring adherence to designs, contracts, and HSSE standards, and implementing QA/QC systems. Progress monitoring against schedules and budgets, contract administration, and facilitating coordination meetings are key. The specialist will also prepare detailed progress reports, contribute to project close-out documentation, and support HSSE reporting. Capacity building for partner personnel and fostering knowledge sharing are also integral, with specific deliverables including various assignment reports, knowledge transfer summaries, and compliance reports related to climate change adaptation and safeguards.
Work Experience
Required experience includes building construction, site supervision, infrastructure project management, and quality control/monitoring within construction projects. Proficiency in collaboration tools and experience coordinating with government officials are also necessary. Desired experience includes working in multicultural or UN environments, development/humanitarian contexts, and specific experience within Caribbean countries, including knowledge of local institutional landscapes and climate vulnerabilities.
Skills
Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Construction Site Management, Data Analysis, Highways, Project Management, Structural Engineering.