Design Review Engineer - Hydraulic Works and Irrigation Structures
2026-10-24        Kabul       Part Time        30
Job Location: Kabul
Nationality: National
Category: Engineering
Employment Type: Part Time
Salary:
Vacancy Number: VA No. 4740
No. Of Jobs: 1
City: Home based
Organization: UNOPS
Years of Experience: At least three years of direct design experience
Contract Duration: One Year
Gender: Male/Female
Education: A bachelor's degree in the relevant engineering discipline
Close date: 2026-10-24

About UNOPS:

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

 

Job Descriptions:

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

 

Job Requirements:
Job Specific Context 

Scope of review

The reviewer will only accept assignments within the technical category and any limits recorded in the approved reviewer roster. Each assignment will be issued in writing and identify the design, project, scope, deliverables, review timeframe and reporting arrangements.

Assignments may include:

  • site-specific applications of IPMG-approved model designs under CRLP Group 2B;

  • staged review of the site-specific adaptation where required;

  • review of design revisions or variations within the approved assignment; and

  • site verification where desk review cannot confirm critical assumptions.

  • Calls/meetings with IPMG and (where necessary) with the project teams.

  • The reviewer must be willing and able to travel within Afghanistan where required, subject to UN security arrangements and medical fitness requirements.

Role Purpose 

The purpose of the assignment is to provide competent, independent and timely technical assurance that assigned Group 2B site-specific designs:

  • comply with the approved model-design parameters, applicability guidance and relevant codes and standards;

  • are supported by sufficient site-specific information and calculations;

  • are coordinated across drawings, specifications, Bills of Quantities and supporting reports;

  • are safe, functional, practical to construct and suitable for the Afghan operating context; and

  • result in a recommendation to accept, return for correction or escalate where the design falls outside the reviewer's authority or approved model envelope.

The reviewer provides independent assurance and does not assume the designer's responsibility.

Functions / Key Results Expected 

Independence and assignment acceptance

  • Review the task assignment and confirm availability, competence and independence before starting work.

  • Commit to the timeline for the review defined and agreed with IPMG focal point.

  • Complete the assignment-specific conflict-of-interest declaration.

  • Decline the assignment where the reviewer prepared, materially supported, supervised or directed the design, or where another actual or perceived conflict exists.

  • Identify immediately where the design is outside the reviewer's technical category, authority limits or available time.

Technical review

  • Review design drawings, technical specifications, and BOQs in terms of accuracy and suitability to overall design requirements, identifying aspects where designs do not comply with minimum codes and standards and IPMG policies, and providing practical guidance for design improvement.

  • Review the design brief, basis of design and applicable codes and standards.

  • Check the completeness and reliability of site information, including topographic, geotechnical, hydrological, hydraulic, traffic, seismic and environmental inputs as relevant.

  • Confirm that the approved model design is applicable to the site and that all adaptations remain within the approved limits.

  • Review calculations, assumptions, load cases, dimensions and material parameters. To ensure the safety, functionality and fitness of infrastructure while recognizing the circumstances and constraints of the UNOPS operational context, the Retainer will be required to apply professional judgment in the application of relevant codes, standards, and IPMG policies.

  • Check consistency between calculations, drawings, specifications, Bill of Quantities and supporting reports.

  • Review constructability, maintenance implications and suitability for local materials, skills and operating conditions.

  • Identify safety-critical omissions, inappropriate assumptions, unresolved interfaces and departures from the approved model design.

  • Where necessary, recommend additional site investigations, specialist input or escalation to the normal IPMG review route.

  • Share the review comments with the designated IPMG focal point through official email communication. The IPMG focal point will be responsible for reviewing the comments, discussing them with the retainer where necessary, and subsequently sharing them with the project team.

Review comments and closure

  • Record clear, specific and actionable review comments using the approved UNOPS format.

  • Distinguish between safety-critical, compliance, coordination and advisory comments.

  • Review the designer's responses and revised documents until comments are satisfactorily closed or escalated.

  • Complete and sign the applicable model-design checklist and the review report. Sign the project review Sign-off certificate provided by IPMG.

  • Recommend one of the following outcomes: accepted; revise and resubmit; or outside the approved route and to be escalated.

Coordination and site verification

  • Coordinate with IPMG focal point that will organize any necessary engagement with the project teams.

  • Attend technical meetings where necessary to explain comments and resolve questions.

  • Undertake site visits where critical assumptions cannot be confirmed from submitted documents, subject to security and travel approval.

  • Prepare a concise site-verification note where a visit is undertaken. The note shall be shared with the designated IPMG focal point, who will subsequently share it with the project office.

  • Provide limited technical guidance to help the designer understand review comments, without taking over design development.

Records and confidentiality

  • Maintain complete, orderly and traceable review records.

  • Use the official project and IPMG systems and templates specified for the assignment.

  • Protect confidential project, partner and design information.

  • Return all required records and confirm assignment completion before payment approval.

Hydraulic Works and Irrigation Structures

Relevant experience should include several of the following: 

  • design or independent review of check dams, small weirs, irrigation intakes, canals, aqueducts or similar hydraulic structures;

  • hydrology, flood flows, catchment characteristics, hydraulic capacity, sediment, scour and erosion assessment;

  • stability assessment of small hydraulic structures, including sliding, overturning, bearing and foundation conditions;

  • river or irrigation protection works, including gabion, masonry or concrete structures; and

  • practical experience with irrigation and water-management infrastructure in mountainous, arid or semi-arid environments.

 

 

Skills 
Document Review, Engineering Design, Hydrologic Engineering Center Hydrologic Modeling System, Hydraulic Systems, Seismic Design, Stress Analysis, Structural Engineering
Respect
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.
Collaboration
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.
Partnerships
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).
Excellence
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.
Adaptability
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.
Decision-making
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.
Communication
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

  • A bachelor's degree in the relevant engineering discipline with at least four years of relevant professional experience or

  • A master's degree in the relevant engineering discipline with at least two years of relevant professional experience 

Desired 

  • Professional registration or recognised professional membership is desirable where an appropriate system exists.

Experience Requirements 

Required

  • At least three years of direct design experience relevant to the technical category. Independent design-review experience may count towards overall relevant professional experience but does not replace this direct-design requirement.

  • Demonstrated responsibility for engineering calculations, design decisions or independent technical reviews.

  • Evidence of at least three comparable assignments (design or design review), including one within the last three years.

  • Experience in Afghanistan or neighbouring countries with similar geographic, geological, seismic, climatic, environmental and construction-industry conditions.

Desired 

  • Experience with UNOPS, another United Nations entity, an international NGO or an international development programme is desirable.

Language Requirements 
Language Proficiency Level Requirement
English Fluent Required
 
 
Submission Guidelines:

Please click on the below link for actual vacancy announcement to see the complete details and submission guideline as this is only an attempt for attracting female applicants for gender parity in organization. Please make sure you fill your profile/application properly with all relevant details in order to be considered for the next stage of recruitment/selection.

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/4740 

Submission Email:

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/4740

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