Field Engineer

Role summary Background and Objective of the assignment : UNDP's premier crisis-response framework in Afghanistan, the ABADEI Programme, was created to assist communities dealing with economic instability, food shortages, poverty, and crumbling services after 2021. It employs an integrated, area-based strategy that blends immediate humanitarian aid with longer-term livelihood support, infrastructure reconstruction, and community resilience development. With an emphasis on women's access to opportunity and protection from vulnerability, ABADEI prioritizes critical services, local jobs and small enterprises, safeguarding farm-based livelihoods, and bolstering social cohesion. Through cash-for-work programs, access to renewable energy, support for women-led businesses, and community-level recovery projects, ABADEI, which is funded by the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan, has reached millions of Afghans throughout the nation's eight provinces. The assignment aims to provide technical expertise to deliver high-quality, sustainable, and gender-sensitive infrastructure solutions that support livelihoods, strengthen resilience, and align with ABADEI’s broader objectives of social cohesion and poverty reduction. It is sensitive to the chronic and newly emerging vulnerabilities of Afghan women and girls and aims at providing them assistance in a manner that does not exacerbate their susceptibility to violence and deprivation of opportunities and rights. Scope of work : The Field Engineer will be responsible for providing technical expertise in the identification, design, supervision, and reporting of small-scale infrastructure projects under the ABADEI Strategy. The work will combine field-based technical assessments with community engagement to ensure projects are responsive to local needs, environmentally sustainable, and aligned with UNDP standards. Reporting: The Field Engineer will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Area Manager and in close collaboration with the Technical Associate - Infrastructure. S/he will support the effective identification, preparation, and implementation of Cash for Work (CfW) and infrastructure rehabilitation projects in the region. Duties and responsibilities Key Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Site Assessment and Technical Design Lead identification, assessment, and selection of sites for infrastructure projects, ensuring alignment with program objectives and technical viability. Collaborate with surveyors for physical, environmental, and social assessment of proposed sites. Develop designs, layouts, technical specifications, and BoQs per UNDP and national standards. 2. Infrastructure Construction & Supervision Supervise and oversee infrastructure construction, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, safety, and compliance with environmental and gender inclusion standards. Advise and implement climate-resilient and disaster-safe construction. 3. Water & Irrigation Systems Design, monitor, and rehabilitate small-scale water and irrigation systems, promoting sustainability and climate resilience. Ensure environmental compliance and integrate best practice for sustainable water management. 4. Community Engagement & Capacity Building Mobilize community participation and facilitate capacity-building for local maintenance and sustainability. 5. Gender Mainstreaming & Protection Design interventions that are gender-responsive, ensuring women’s needs and participation. Prepare a Gender Action Plan; deliver capacity building on gender and safeguarding compliance. Coordinate with gender specialists to maintain gender and protection standards. 6. Reporting and Documentation Provide and validate technical reports, design documents, BoQs, technical drawings, review reports, and survey data. 7. Meeting and Coordination Attend review meetings and liaise with project partners and stakeholders. 8. Perform other tasks as assigned by the Area Manager. Deliverables: Comprehensive site assessment and survey reports with technical, environmental, and social analysis. Hydrological and geotechnical assessment reports. All design documentation (drawings, specifications, calculations, BoQs). Quality assurance and design review reports. Gender Action Plan and evidence of gender/protection mainstreaming. Capacity-building session records. Reporting Line: Reports to the Regional Area Manager, in close collaboration with the Technical Associate – Infrastructure. Job requirements Qualifications & Experience: Bachelor’s in civil/Structural Engineering or related field, from a recognized university. Minimum 5 years of practical experience with public infrastructure (with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering). Proficiency in technical design software (AutoCAD, SAP2000, STATPRO, etc.). Demonstrated experience in technical assessment, design, and supervision of infrastructure works. Familiarity with Afghanistan’s sub-national institutional context is required. Excellent command of English; fluency in Dari or Pashto is essential. 1. Key Deliverables: Key Responsibility Key Performance Deliverables 1. Site Assessment, Survey Planning & Oversight # of site assessment reports completed per quarter, with technical, environmental, and social analysis # Plan and supervise topographic and alignment surveys - Define survey requirements (benchmarks, control points, cross-sections) - Ensure proper use of equipment (Total Station, GPS, leveling) - Verify accuracy of survey data - Review and approve survey drawings and reports # of Documentation package for tendering completed (drawings, specifications, justifications). 2. Hydrological & Site Assessment # Analyze river/stream characteristics - Estimate design discharge and flood levels - Determine High Flood Level (HFL) - Coordinate geotechnical investigations 3. Design & Analysis: Selection of Infrastructure Type: Select appropriate infrastructure type (irrigation canal, protection wall, culvert, spillway, canal intake, road rehabilitation) based on site conditions, community needs, and technical feasibility. Preliminary Design: Prepare conceptual sketches and initial layouts for proposed structures. Estimate preliminary dimensions, materials, and quantities. Assess feasibility in terms of cost, constructability, and sustainability. Detailed Survey and Investigation: Conduct detailed topographic and site surveys. Assess soil conditions, hydraulic characteristics, and foundation requirements. Verify site suitability for the proposed infrastructure interventions. Engineering Analysis: Perform basic hydraulic and structural analysis relevant to the selected infrastructure. Carry out necessary calculations (e.g., flow capacity, load considerations, slope stability, and water discharge). Ensure designs are safe, efficient, and fit for purpose. Structural and Technical Design: Design key components such as canal sections, culvert structures, retaining/protection walls, spillways, intakes, and road layers. Ensure compliance with applicable engineering standards, guidelines, and UNDP requirements. Provide appropriate detailing for reinforcement, masonry, and construction methods where required. Preparation of Drawings and Documentation: Prepare detailed construction drawings (plans, sections, and cross-sections). Develop technical specifications for each project component. Prepare Bill of Quantities (BoQ) with accurate cost estimates. 4. Design Review & Quality Assurance Review contractor submissions and shop drawings - Validate models and load assumptions - Identify risks and propose solutions. Documents need to be reviewed through UNDP and DFA 5. Deliverables: Survey Deliverables: - Survey plan and methodology - Topographic drawings and data - Benchmark and control data - Survey validation report Design Deliverables: - Design calculations - Drawings - Specifications - BOQ and cost estimates Review Deliverables: - Design review reports Meeting - Participation in design review Meeting 6. Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusive Design # of feasibility study and scope of work integrated challenges, concerns and benefits for communities from with gender and protection lens , with documented modifications (e.g., safe water points, lighting, placement of facilities). # of Gender Action Plan prepared for engineering interventions, with progress tracked quarterly. # of Capacity-building sessions for suppliers and contractors on gender and PSEA integrated into project delivery. # Training organized and supported, followed up in close collaboration with ABADEI Gender Specialist/Gender Focal Point for gender and PSEAH mainstreaming Institutional arrangement : The Field Engineer will work under the direct supervision of the Area Manager and in close collaboration with the Technical Associate – Infrastructure based in regional offices. Payment : Payment will be made by Moore Afghanistan against timesheets approved by UNDP Area Manager. Duty station : East Region Travel Cost and DSA : Salary is inclusive of DSA and Travel Cost it will pay based on deliverable Experience and Skills: - Bachelor’s degree in civil/ Structural Engineering , from a nationally and internationally recognized education institution Experience and Skills: - Bachelor’s degree in civil/ Structural Engineering or a related field from a nationally or internationally recognized educational institution - At least 5 years of practical experience with a bachelor’s degree - Proven experience in conducting technical assessments and analysis of Smale scale infrastructure - Proficient in relevant design software (e.g., AutoCAD, SAP2000, STATPRO…). - Previous experience on similar projects is an asset. - Strong knowledge and understanding of sub-national institutional contexts of Afghanistan. Competencies: - Ability to speak, read and write technical and conversational English. - Ability to understand new terminology and concepts easily and to synthesize information from different sources into a coherent project document. - Good team player, self-starter, has ability to work under minimum supervision and maintain good relationships. - Strong advocacy and negotiation skills, with the ability to ensure project delivery for vulnerable groups. - Results orientation, communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability in fragile contexts Language Requirements: Proficiency in written and spoken English and fluency in the national languages (Dari / Pashto).