Lead Electrical Engineer

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.

Established in 2005, UNOPS Sudan is a key partner in advancing community well-being through infrastructure, procurement, and project management services that support humanitarian, recovery, and sustainable development efforts. UNOPS contributes to improved access to clean water, supports peacekeeping operations, and assists in implementing the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement by helping operationalize the Permanent Ceasefire Committee for Darfur in collaboration with UNITAMS. Ongoing initiatives focus on enhancing access to water and strengthening health services across the country, with particular efforts in Kassala state to expand diagnostic capacity and upgrade healthcare infrastructure. Through these projects, UNOPS supports stability, resilience, and improved living conditions for communities across Sudan.

The Lead Electrical Engineer will be responsible for providing technical expertise and leadership in the planning, design, and implementation of electrical systems for infrastructure projects in Kassala. This role requires a seasoned professional capable of independently managing projects, adapting existing policies to meet emerging needs, and ensuring compliance with international standards and local regulations. The incumbent will work closely with project teams, government counterparts, and other stakeholders to deliver high-quality, sustainable electrical solutions that support the overall project objectives.

The Lead Electrical Engineer independently manages projects or programs within existing frameworks, guidelines, and rules. Provides authoritative advice on the application of established policies and procedures, adapting existing policies, approaches, and models to meet emerging client or project needs. Supervises a team of support staff and/or junior professional personnel. Solves complex problems by navigating and applying existing rules. Manages a specific portfolio of work related to electrical engineering. Interacts with clients to maintain relationships and ensure reliable service delivery.

Project Management and Technical Leadership

• Independently manage electrical engineering aspects of infrastructure projects, ensuring adherence to project timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to project teams on electrical system design, installation, testing, and commissioning.
• Develop and adapt existing policies, approaches, and models to meet emerging project needs and challenges.
• Supervise and mentor junior electrical engineers and technical staff, providing guidance and support for their professional development.
• Solve complex electrical engineering problems by navigating and applying existing rules, regulations, and best practices.

Electrical System Design and Implementation

• Conduct detailed electrical system design, including power distribution, lighting, grounding, and protection systems and solar systems in compliance with international standards (e.g., IEC, IEEE) and local regulations.
• Prepare technical specifications, drawings, and documentation for electrical equipment and installations.
• Oversee the installation, testing, and commissioning of electrical systems, ensuring proper functionality and safety.
• Conduct site inspections and assessments to identify electrical system deficiencies and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations related to electrical systems.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Liaise with government counterparts, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and communication on electrical engineering aspects of projects.
• Provide authoritative advice on the application of established policies and procedures related to electrical systems.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients and stakeholders to ensure reliable service delivery and address any concerns or issues.
• Participate in project meetings and provide technical input on electrical engineering matters.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Ensure that all electrical engineering work is performed in accordance with quality assurance standards and procedures.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections to verify compliance with technical specifications, safety regulations, and environmental requirements.
• Review and approve electrical engineering deliverables, including designs, drawings, and reports.
• Implement corrective actions to address any non-conformances or deficiencies identified during audits and inspections.

Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building

• Share technical knowledge and best practices with project teams and stakeholders.
• Conduct training sessions and workshops on electrical engineering topics for local staff and contractors.
• Contribute to the development of technical guidelines and standards for electrical systems in infrastructure projects.

Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Electrical Engineering. 7 years of relevant experience required.

Desired

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent certification.

Required

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in electrical engineering, with a focus on infrastructure projects.

• Project management, including planning, budgeting, and scheduling. 

• Stakeholder engagement and coordination. 

• Adapting existing policies and procedures to meet emerging needs.

• Experience in Solar systems designs.

Desired

• Experience working in developing countries or conflict-affected areas.

• Experience with international standards and regulations related to electrical systems.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• 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. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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.