Surveyor

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 Surveyor will be responsible for ensuring projects are executed according to design specifications, legal boundaries, and engineering standards, providing accurate data for planning, design, and construction. The role requires field-based work in challenging environments, demanding high attention to detail and strong analytical skills.

The Surveyor will gather, clean, and aggregate data for reports and analysis, perform rudimentary analysis of project parameters or data sets, and apply basic conceptual models or frameworks to support project design. The Surveyor will also interpret basic rules and procedures to identify problems or draw conclusions, making initial recommendations based on straightforward analysis.

1. Surveying and Data Collection

• Conduct land, topographic, route, and construction surveys using surveying instruments (GPS, total station, levels).
• Establish and verify horizontal and vertical control points to ensure accuracy of measurements.
• Measure distances, elevations, angles, and boundaries to provide precise data for project planning and design.

2. Documentation and Reporting

• Prepare survey drawings, maps, profiles, and reports to document survey findings and project progress.
• Maintain accurate survey records and field notes, ensuring data integrity and traceability.
• Identify and report discrepancies or site constraints to the Civil Engineer for resolution.

3. Construction Support and Compliance

• Set out alignments, levels, and structures for construction works, ensuring adherence to design specifications.
• Verify contractor works comply with approved drawings and specifications, maintaining quality control.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and legal requirements during surveying activities.

4. Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with engineers, planners, and project managers to integrate survey data into project plans.
• Respond to queries by explaining applicable surveying standards and construction practices.
• Prepare inputs for reports, briefs, and other documents for review by the Civil Engineer.

Required

• Secondary School Diploma with 6 years of relevant experience
• Technical/Professional Diploma with 4 years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelors degree or equivalent in the above-mentioned fields or relatedwith 2 years of relevant experience OR
  
• Masters degree or equivalent in Surveying Engineering/Civil Engineering or relatedwith 1 year of relevant experience
  

Desired

• A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in Land Surveyingis desired.

• Experience with GIS software

Required

• Relevant experience is defined as surveying experience in land or construction surveying..

• Experience in data collection and analysis for engineering projects. 

Desired

• Experience in road, building, or infrastructure 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.