Lead Bridge Design Engineer

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Organization: UNOPS

Deadline: 03-May-2026

Job Description

About the Region

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.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

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.

Job Specific Context

This position operates within a dynamic infrastructure environment, leading the design of bridges, culverts, and cross-drainage structures. The role is critical to ensuring safe, hydraulically adequate, durable, and cost-effective structures, integrated with road networks and aligned with hydrological, geotechnical, and environmental constraints.

Role Purpose

Reporting to the Senior Project Manager-Infrastructure, the Lead Bridge/Structural Design Engineer will lead the design, analysis, and coordination of bridges and culverts, and cross-drainage structures ensuring compliance with UNOPS guidelines, national standards, and international best practices. The role ensures all structures are hydraulically sufficient, structurally sound, and constructible.

The contractor will be engaged on a retainer basis and will be required to provide services as and when needed.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Site Assessment and Data Review

• Review site conditions including topography, terrain, and existing infrastructure to identify design constraints.

• Interpret topographic surveys, geotechnical reports, and hydrological data to support design decisions.

• Assess drainage patterns, flood levels, and catchment characteristics to determine design discharge.

• Evaluate soil conditions, bearing capacity, and risks such as scour, erosion, and settlement.

• Support feasibility studies and selection of appropriate bridge or culvert solutions.

2. Structural and Hydraulic Design (Bridges and Culverts)

• Lead structural design of bridges, including superstructure, substructure, and foundations under relevant load combinations.

• Design culverts (pipe, box, slab, or arch) and associated hydraulic components to ensure adequate flow capacity.

• Design inlets, outlets, headwalls, wing walls, and erosion protection measures.

• Ensure proper integration of drainage systems to prevent flooding and structural damage.

• Ensure compliance with international and national standards.

3. Design Deliverables

• Prepare drawings, design calculations, technical specifications, and BoQs for bridge and culvert works.

• Ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance of all design outputs.

• Respond to design review comments and update deliverables as required.

• Maintain proper documentation of all design work.

4. Procurement Support

• Prepare technical inputs for tender documents, including specifications and BoQs.

• Support clarification of technical queries during bidding.

• Assist in evaluation of technical proposals.

5. Construction Support and Quality Assurance

• Provide technical support during construction to ensure compliance with design and specifications.

• Review shop drawings, method statements, and material submissions.

• Support resolution of technical issues on site.

• Review as-built drawings and contribute to progress reporting.

6. Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams including road, geotechnical, and hydrology engineers.

• Ensure integration of bridge and culvert designs with overall infrastructure.

• Participate in technical meetings and stakeholder consultations.

7. Knowledge Management

• Maintain proper documentation of design outputs and reports.

• Contribute to technical knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

• Support and guide junior technical staff when required

Skills

AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Structural Analysis and Design

Education Requirements

Required

• An advanced University Degree (Master’s) degree in Advanced University Degree (Master’s) in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or related field.

• A first University Degree (Bachelor’s) in Civil Engineering or related field will be considered with additional 2 years of work experience.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Minimum 5 years of experience in bridge and culvert design and cross-drainage structures.

• Practicing professional Bridge/Structural engineer licence.

Desired

• Experience in road infrastructure projects with drainage components

• Experience working with international design standards

• Experience in construction supervision of bridges and culverts

• Experience with design software (SAP2000, MIDAS Civil, etc.)

• Experience in the preparation of drawings, reports, and BoQs

• Experience interpreting:

  • Topographic surveys

  • Hydrological and geotechnical data

Language Requirements

Language	Proficiency Level	Requirement
English	Fluent	Required

 

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