Duration
One year, renewable based on performance and budget availability
Job Highlight
Lead mechanical engineering components of major infrastructure projects, ensuring efficient, safe, and sustainable systems while contributing to development efforts across the Horn of Africa.
About the Region
UNOPS Africa Regional Office in Nairobi oversees more than 250 projects in 40 countries, focusing on fragile and conflict-affected settings. With over 1,000 personnel across multiple multi-country offices, the region advances national priorities in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, and other key development areas.
About the Country / Multi-Country Office
HAMCO, based in Addis Ababa, delivers project management, procurement and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan. The office supports health, agriculture, education, and economic development initiatives, with a focus on underserved and conflict-affected areas.
Job Context
The Lead Mechanical Engineer ensures high-quality mechanical designs and system integrations in HVAC, water supply, pumping, sanitation, fire-fighting, PV systems and related building services. Work includes frequent field travel across Ethiopia and other HAMCO countries.
Role Purpose
Report to the Senior Project Manager and independently manage mechanical engineering assignments, offering technical advice, adapting policies, and ensuring high-quality and compliant project execution.
Site Assessment
Conduct assessments for mechanical systems including HVAC, plumbing, fire-fighting, sanitary and building services.
Review construction and rehabilitation requests, conduct feasibility studies and on-site inspections.
Prepare technical reports with recommendations.
Design Works
Prepare and review mechanical designs, drawings, BoQs and specifications.
Identify design gaps and propose improvements.
Ensure compliance with ES/EN, ASHRAE, NFPA, ISO, UNOPS guidelines and other standards.
Support procurement teams with technical inputs for tendering and evaluations.
Construction Supervision & Quality Control
Supervise mechanical works and ensure compliance with quality, safety and timelines.
Monitor construction progress, coordinate across disciplines, and enforce Health and Safety.
Prepare supervision and progress reports.
Leadership, Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement
Coordinate with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Engage with authorities and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance.
Provide technical leadership to contractors, consultants, and site teams.
Knowledge Management & Capacity Building
Develop technical manuals and guidelines.
Document lessons learned and technical recommendations.
Offer training and mentorship to engineers, contractors and technical staff.
Skills
AutoCAD, Construction Management, Quality Control, Stakeholder Engagement, Technical Leadership, Knowledge Management
Education Requirements
Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering with 5 years’ experience
OR Bachelor’s Degree with 7 years’ experience
Professional Mechanical Engineer certification required
Additional license or green engineering knowledge desirable
Experience Requirements
Minimum 5 years in mechanical engineering, including HVAC design and installation
5 years in AutoCAD for 2D/3D mechanical design
Experience with sustainable engineering, UN systems or BIM tools desirable
Language Requirements
English — Fluent
Amharic — Fluent
Additional Information
UNOPS does not request payments at any recruitment stage. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications must be submitted before the deadline. UNOPS promotes diversity and equal opportunity across its workforce.
How to Apply
Apply through the UNOPS portal