Lead Electrical Engineer

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.

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.

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 Lead Electrical Engineer (Renewable Energy) will provide assistance and technical expertise in terms of design adjustments, construction, supervision and coordination in the field, ensuring high quality and consistency of work. In the project team, the Lead Electrical Engineer (Renewable and hybrid Energy systems) may supervise a diverse results-oriented technical team, including quality site assessments, surveying, and field inspector, procurement, site infrastructure and project management services. He/she could also provide guidance to other team members ensuring knowledge transfer for capacity building. The Lead Electrical Engineer (Renewable and Hybrid Energy) will perform his/her duties at the construction site and will be supervised by the Project Manager.

The Lead Electrical Engineer (Renewable and Hybrid Energy) is responsible for providing technical expertise and guidance in the design, construction, supervision, and coordination of renewable energy projects. The role ensures high-quality work, adherence to standards, and effective collaboration with stakeholders to achieve project objectives.

1. Project Implementation

• Preparation and maintenance of project files, including internal and external project (operational and highlights) reports.
• Manage information flows and oversee change controls, risk registers and issue management by establishing document control procedures
• Manage assigned delivery of work packages and take responsibility for progress.
• Coordinate and liaise with the Senior Project Manager on the implementation progress.
• Advise the Senior Project Manager of any deviations from the plan and update plans.
• Work with the Senior Project manager to identify and manage risks.

2. Technical Assistance

• Participate in the design and review of all energy project and engage with IPMG with regards to response on technical matters
• Prepare design briefs and the design reports that address specific clients and stakeholder  requirements and specifications as and when necessary
• Preparation of comprehensive design documentation, specifications, bill of quantities  and other project documents on renewable energy systems such as solar, hydropower  and wind to meet the required quality and detailing as stipulated by the PM .
• In coordination with the full time  team, identify existing renewable energy related problems and suggest appropriate solutions in consultation with the Senior Project Manager.
• Assist in the oversight of the implementation of works for the specific projects and monitoring of progress of renewable energy related works according to contract schedules, specifications and project plans.
• Undertake measurement of electrical site works in support of contractor payment requests.
• Ensure the strict implementation of quality control standards and procedures on the sites and report regularly to the supervisor.

3. Project Monitoring and Reporting (Delivery and Performance)

• Support implementation of approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) under the guidance of the Senior Project Manager.
• Provide substantive inputs for the development of  project strategies and schedules and manage work packages.
• Managing information flow by keeping, circulating and archiving detailed project notes and records.
• Maintain the following records: Quality Register, Configuration Item Records and all other registers/logs delegated by the Project Manager
• Supervise, monitor and evaluate performance of service providers delivering to project priorities.
• Attend daily the project site(s) in order to monitor progress of works, identify the existing problems and provide appropriate solutions through application of sound engineering standards in consultation with the Sr. Project Manager
• Check contractors’ and suppliers set out and works, including compliance with contracts specifications and ensure that contractors and suppliers comply with their work plans to complete work with specified scope of work, time frame, and budget.

4. Stakeholder Management, Coordination and Liaison

• Support and assist the Senior Project Manager in establishing productive working relationships with the World Bank, Power PNG, DFAT, Government of Papua New Guinea (G-PNG) and relevant UN, development partners and other key stakeholders;
• Coordinate and organize meetings between team members, the DFAT and government and other stakeholders when required. Prepare, record, circulate and archive meeting minutes.
• Know the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and seek to contribute within the deliverables of the project.
• Strive to build effective coordination among relevant project stakeholders (e.g. The DFAT, United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations)  
• Assist in the implementation of Environmental and Health & Safety measures in the project sites.
• Assist in the identification, evaluation, selection and supervision of building contractors for specified project work.

5. Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Ensure accurate and time project reporting, and visibility tools, including results reporting to various stakeholders, UNOPS, funders, counterpart agencies, and public at large. 
• Support the compilation of lessons learned as per defined reporting formats.
• Ensure that local capacities are built at every level and opportunity for Project Management Support.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned. Contribute to expertise in tools and techniques

6. Personnel Management

• Communicate with team members to ensure optimal strategy and maximum efficiency
• Direct and motivate external project delivery teams/consultants to ensure successful project implementation.
• Keep all members of the teams up-to-date with current information, processes and procedures.

Accountability for results and the use of resources

• The project management processes are designed to deliver maximum accountability, transparency and results. If a project or processes are  not in line with this, it is the responsibility of the Project Management Support Officer to escalate the issue to the Senior Project Manager.

Excellence

• Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.

Impact of results

• The incumbent directly impacts on the achievement of project results by assisting the Senior Project Manager to adhere to project management methods and strategies, reduce risks, cut costs and improve quality and success rates. This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in electrical engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 5 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in engineering is desired.

Required

• Relevant experience is work in Electrical Engineering or related areas, preferably in the energy, renewable energy or related sector.

Desired

• Experience and demonstrated skills in generating and compiling high quality technical  reports is desired
• A proven track record  and experience in designing and supervising other renewable energy  projects ( hydropower) is desired.
• Experience in designing and supervising energy projects is an asset.
• Experience in other renewable energy projects ( hydro, wind, geothermal) is an asset.
• Experience in the use of Google Suite applications as well as experience in handling web-based management systems is desirable.
• Relevant experience working in developing/post-conflict countries is an asset.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. 
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.