Quality Engineering Technician - Senior Associate

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.

Since 2005, UNOPS has supported South Sudan’s development through critical infrastructure projects that improve access to essential services and livelihoods, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Efforts focus on the design, construction, and rehabilitation of roads, airstrips, ports, and bridges to enhance connectivity and promote economic activity. UNOPS also builds schools, health facilities, and government offices to strengthen basic service delivery and institutional capacity. In addition to infrastructure, UNOPS provides procurement and operational support to the Government and development partners, enabling efficient and transparent implementation of key initiatives. All efforts are geared toward improving socio-economic conditions, fostering resilience, and supporting long-term development across South Sudan.

This position operates within the South Sudan Project Office, supporting critical infrastructure projects. The Laboratory Technician plays a vital role in ensuring the quality and compliance of construction materials, directly impacting the success and durability of infrastructure projects in a challenging environment.

The Laboratory Technician is responsible for managing and integrating laboratory and field testing processes for construction materials, ensuring their integrity and compliance with project specifications and standards. The role involves supervising support staff, applying professional principles, and recommending improvements to testing procedures.

1. Laboratory Testing Management

• Manage the complete process of laboratory testing on construction materials, including soil, concrete, asphalt, and aggregates, ensuring quality, timeliness, and accuracy.

• Ensure adherence to ASTM, AASHTO, BS, or ISO standards in the preparation of test samples and operation of testing equipment.

• Oversee the maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment and testing machines, ensuring their proper functioning and reliability.

2. Field Testing and Sampling Coordination

• Coordinate the collection of material samples from construction sites, ensuring proper handling, labeling, curing, and storage.
• pervise the execution of in-situ tests, such as field density tests and concrete cube sampling, ensuring compliance with established procedures.
• Ensure the integrity of field testing processes and the accuracy of collected data.

3. Documentation and Reporting Oversight

• Review and ensure the accuracy of test results recorded in laboratory logs and databases.
• Oversee the preparation of test reports and the submission of results to engineers and supervisors, ensuring clarity and completeness.
• Maintain comprehensive calibration records for testing equipment, ensuring traceability and compliance.

4. Quality Control and Assurance Management

• Ensure that all materials comply with project specifications and standards, implementing quality control measures throughout the testing process.
• Report non-conforming results to engineers for corrective action, facilitating timely resolution of quality issues.
• Assist in quality control inspections and audits, providing technical expertise and support.

5. Laboratory Maintenance and Safety Supervision

• Supervise the maintenance of cleanliness and organization of the laboratory, ensuring a safe and efficient working environment.

• Ensure that laboratory equipment is serviced and calibrated regularly, coordinating with external service providers as needed.

• Enforce adherence to health, safety, and environmental (HSE) procedures, promoting a culture of safety within the laboratory.

• Oversee the proper handling of chemicals and hazardous materials, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

Required

• Secondary school (or equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience OR

• Technical/Professional Diploma with 5 years of relevant experience, OR

• BaBachelors degree or equivalent in Civil Engineering, Construction Technology, or related field with 1 year of experience.

Desired

• A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate inmaterials testing (e.g., ACI, NICET) is desired.

Required

• Between 1 and 7 years of experience (depending on academic credentials) in a civil/materials testing laboratory, managing testing processes and supervising support staff..

• Experience applying baseline professional principles of materials testing to manage testing services.

Desired

• Experience working on international construction projects.
• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

• 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.