UNOP: Civil Engineer – Funafuti

Organization Mission

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops, and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects across South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia, and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered four countries in South East Asia, including three countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam) and the Philippines. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia, and the Pacific.

With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: SEMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Lao PDR, EAPMCO Philippines, and EAPMCO Cambodia. In 2022, UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 95.7 million in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post-Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post-COVID-19 Economic Transformations, and Health through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund, and programme management services.

The Multi-Country Office headquarters in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight, and assurance of excellence in business processes and quality standards across all Multi-Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering, and managing the portfolio of engagements within the host country of the MCO location.

UNOPS EAPMCO has embarked on a health portfolio across different countries in South East Asia and the Pacific aimed at improving access to public health services. EAPMCO has signed an agreement with the Government of Tuvalu to provide implementation support for the Tuvalu Health System Strengthening Project (THSSP), funded by the World Bank. The main objective of the project is to increase the service delivery capacity and quality of the Princess Margaret Hospital and outer island clinics to improve healthcare services in Tuvalu under the Tuvalu Health System Strengthening Project (THSSP).

Context

The Civil Engineer will provide technical support in the planning, design review, supervision, and monitoring of infrastructure projects. The incumbent will play a key role in site supervision and quality assurance, ensuring that construction activities are implemented in compliance with approved designs, technical specifications, and relevant standards, under the overall guidance of the Project Manager.

The role also includes coordinating with stakeholders, supporting project implementation activities, and contributing to project reporting, documentation, and progress monitoring to ensure the timely and effective delivery of project outputs. Drive high-quality infrastructure delivery by providing technical expertise, supervising work, and ensuring compliance with design and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

The Civil Engineer will support the effective implementation and delivery of infrastructure projects by providing technical expertise in planning, design review, construction supervision, and quality assurance. Working under the guidance of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with project teams, the incumbent will contribute to ensuring that infrastructure activities are delivered within agreed timelines, budget, scope, and quality standards.

The incumbent will support project assessments, preparation of bills of quantities (BoQs), cost estimates, technical specifications, and tender documentation, while also assisting in contractor evaluations and contract management processes. The Civil Engineer will monitor construction activities on-site to ensure compliance with approved designs, engineering standards, occupational health and safety requirements, and environmental and social safeguards.

The role includes supervising contractors and site activities, verifying quantities and work progress, identifying technical issues and risks, and recommending corrective measures to support timely and cost-effective project delivery. The incumbent will also contribute to project monitoring, reporting, documentation, and handover processes, ensuring compliance with organizational procedures and accountability requirements.

In addition, the Civil Engineer will support coordination with government counterparts, contractors, consultants, local authorities, and community stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and project ownership. The incumbent may represent the project in technical meetings, field missions, and coordination activities, as delegated by the Project Manager.

The assignment also contributes to knowledge sharing and capacity development through participation in technical discussions, preparation of briefing materials and reports, and support to training or learning activities related to civil engineering and infrastructure project management. Through these responsibilities, the Civil Engineer will contribute to the successful achievement of project objectives and broader organizational goals.

Required Skills and Experience

The Civil Engineer should possess a strong background in civil engineering and infrastructure project implementation, with demonstrated experience in construction supervision and technical project delivery. The role requires practical knowledge of project engineering principles and the ability to support infrastructure works from planning through to execution and completion.

Core Skills

Civil Engineering
Project Engineering
Project Implementation
Project Resource Management
Project Team Coordination and Support
Construction Supervision and Quality Assurance
Site Monitoring and Technical Reporting
Compliance with Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) standards

Required Experience

Relevant professional experience in civil engineering, structural works, construction technology, construction supervision, monitoring, or closely related fields.
Demonstrated experience in supporting infrastructure project implementation and ensuring compliance with technical specifications and quality standards.

Desired Experience

Experience working in multicultural environments, preferably within UN system organizations or other international development partners in developing country contexts.
Experience in development or humanitarian settings, including infrastructure delivery in resource-constrained or remote environments.

Core Competencies

1. Technical & Engineering Expertise
Applies strong civil engineering knowledge in construction supervision, design review, quality assurance, and ensuring compliance with technical standards and specifications.

2. Project Delivery & Results Orientation
Supports effective project implementation by monitoring progress, managing site activities, and ensuring infrastructure works are delivered on time, within budget, and to required quality standards.

3. Monitoring, Reporting & Problem Solving
Identifies site issues and risks, proposes practical engineering solutions, and contributes to accurate reporting, documentation, and compliance with project requirements.

Living Conditions

Living conditions for international UN Volunteers in Tuvalu, particularly on Funafuti, are generally basic and reflect the country’s remote atoll environment and limited infrastructure. Accommodation is typically modest, ranging from guesthouses to simple rented housing arranged locally, with basic amenities and occasional maintenance challenges due to humidity, salt exposure, and ageing infrastructure. The cost of living is relatively high given Tuvalu’s heavy reliance on imported goods, which can be expensive and intermittently available. Essential services such as electricity, water supply, and internet are accessible but may be unreliable at times, while healthcare services are limited, with more serious medical cases referred to Fiji. The working and living environment is safe, with low crime and a strong sense of community, but professionals should be prepared for logistical constraints, limited recreational facilities, and delays in procurement and supply chains. Overall, living in Tuvalu requires adaptability and resilience, balanced by close community engagement and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully in a highly climate-vulnerable and development-focused setting.