| Job Location: | Herat |
|---|---|
| Nationality: | Afghan |
| Category: | Engineering |
| Employment Type: | Full Time |
| Salary: | As per Organization salary scale |
| Vacancy Number: | VAC-44322 |
| No. Of Jobs: | 1 |
| City: | Herat |
|---|---|
| Organization: | CTG |
| Years of Experience: | A minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in construction and rehabilitation projects, infrastructure development, or construction project management with a strong technical focus. Demonstrable experience in managing large scale infrastructure proj |
| Contract Duration: | 10.5 months |
| Gender: | Male/Female |
| Education: | A Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from a reputable public university is required. Advanced certifications in construction or project management (PMP, PRINCE2 etc), quality control, or related technical fields will be viewed favorably. |
| Close date: | 2026-01-20 |
CTG staff and support humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world, providing a rapid and cost-effective service for development and humanitarian missions. With past performance in 17 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, we have placed more than 20,000 staff all over the world since operations began in 2006.
CTG recruits, deploys and manages the right people with the right skills to implement humanitarian and development projects, from cleaners to obstetricians, and mechanics to infection specialists, we’re skilled in emergency response to crises such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Key to successful project delivery is the ability to mobilise at speed; CTG can source and deploy anyone, anywhere, in less than 2 weeks and have done so in 48 hours on a number of occasions.
Through our efficient and agile HR, logistical and operational services, CTG saves multilateral organisations time and money. We handle all our clients’ HR related issues, so they are free to focus on their core services.
Visit www.ctg.org to find out more
Organizational setting:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, Our client, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. The Our client Afghanistan country office is part of the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP). The position is in Herat, Afghanistan.
Learning from the experience in the last 30 years and recognizing the realities of the current context in the country, Our client in Afghanistan designs and implements projects in settlements of all sizes, putting the needs of people first, targeting the most vulnerable and meeting local needs by focusing on area-based and community-driven outputs. The portfolio currently covers projects ranging from humanitarian responses to supporting recovery and meeting basic human needs. Our client collaborates closely with the UN country team as well as with technical and financial partners in Afghanistan, in alignment with the UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA) and the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plans (HNRP). In alignment with those frameworks and the new Our client global strategic plan (2026-2029), Our client Afghanistan has recently published its strategic priorities for 2026-2027 for the office.
Afghanistan is experiencing a continuous humanitarian crisis, with over half a million people in the need of humanitarian assistance. Many people are displaced due to climate change, internal displacement or massive returns from neighbouring countries, and many have sought refuge in the relative safety of cities, which are growing rapidly. The number of people living in unplanned, underserviced and informal settlements, including in risk prone areas, is increasing and living conditions as well as access to services is inadequate. The unfolding crisis in Afghan cities, which is accelerated by climate change impacts and natural disasters, is occurring in a context of underlying vulnerabilities, including infrastructure deficits, insecure livelihoods and pervasive tenure insecurity. Most at risk are displaced people in informal settlements, with women, disabled and ethnic minorities being particularly vulnerable.
Our client applies a participatory and community-driven approach, using participatory spatial planning and action planning processes to enable communities to identify and implement priority service and infrastructure investments to support their socioeconomic recovery processes and creating an enabling environment for durable solutions. Our client 's community-cantered “People's Process” is a proven and effective approach to reduce vulnerability at scale in the Afghan context. Our client builds upon its long tradition of partnering with communities in informal settlements to create sustainable and safe settlements, improve living conditions and adequate livelihood opportunities to those most in need.
About the Project
The takeover of government in Afghanistan by the DFA in August 2021 triggered a dire humanitarian crisis in the country, leading to serious violations of human rights, poor governance, and a sharp decline in socioeconomic development. With an estimated 23.7 million people, more than half of Afghanistan’s population, in need of humanitarian assistance in 2024 and over 90% living in poverty, international aid has reached vulnerable populations across the country considering life-saving services, but poor residents in urban areas have been often left behind, resulting in increased urban vulnerability.
Decision-makers frequently assume that poverty, vulnerability, and social exclusion are features of rural areas, not cities. This is, however, not the case. Urban populations are facing more financial barriers than people in rural areas, spending more income on meeting their needs, contributing to increasing urban poverty. In addition, rapid migration into urban areas has also been remarkable; Some macro-level analysis indicates that in 1950, only 1 out of every 20 Afghans lived in cities, but in 2022, 1 out of every 4 lived in cities, and by 2060, it is estimated that 1 out of every 2 – 50% of the total population – will live in cities (UN DESA, Our client, World Bank). While many Afghans are fleeing from frequent natural disasters, seeking better employment opportunities, and living environment, Afghanistan has been experiencing a massive increase in the arrival of Afghan returnees from Pakistan following a government decree in September 2023. In Kabul and Herat, the two most populous provinces in Afghanistan, rapid urbanization and a changing climate increases the urban poor’s vulnerability to hazards.
A critical but often overlooked factor impacting urban life is the poor state of the country’s key infrastructure related to the provision of essential services. In Kabul and Herat, as well as in many other cities in Afghanistan, the essential infrastructure for ensuring basic living environment to protect human rights of vulnerable populations is insufficient, even quantitatively and qualitatively. The protracted humanitarian crisis has strained the public health system, with most facilities having poor infrastructure and limited capacity to provide healthcare services. Deteriorating buildings, outdated equipment, and power issues hinder operations for basic services.
The inadequate hygiene and sanitation facilities including clean water sources and waste disposal systems not only hampers healthcare access but also plays a critical role in the spread of diseases. Infectious diseases are the consequence and catalyst of poor humanitarian conditions, including poor sanitation, water quality and quantity, malnutrition, reduced school attendance, poor health, and reduced income. Infrastructure for socially vulnerable populations, particularly women, is not well developed.
Against this backdrop, the “Project for the Improvement of the Living Environment for Vulnerable People in Urban Areas” aims to improve the living environment of the urban poor through rehabilitating essential community infrastructure in Kabul and Herat Provinces in a sustained and disaster-resilient manner. The target locations will be 20 GA in the 10 most vulnerable Police Districts (PDs) of Kabul and earthquake-affected villages of Zindajan District in Herat.
The incumbent might also be asked to support other Our client projects as requested and needed.
Responsibilities
The primary responsibility of this position is to manage and support all technical engineering aspects related to on-site construction, ensuring compliance with project specifications and quality standards. Key responsibilities include:
Engineering Leadership:
Lead technical assessments, feasibility studies, and surveys for roads, WASH, and health facilities, considering site conditions, community needs, and existing infrastructure.
Review, approve, or develop detailed designs, drawings, BoQs, and engineering plans for infrastructure projects, ensuring constructability and cost efficiency.
Contributing to draft and reviewing program work plans for technical projects in consultation for other UN-Habitat projects as needed in coordination with the relevant program team and team leaders (in Herat and Kabul).
Review the identification of infrastructure projects to be in line for other UN-Habitat projects according to donor requirements in consultation with the program management and provincial teams
Construction Oversight:
Supervise construction works, ensuring compliance with approved designs, safety, quality standards (AASHTO, ASTM, ACI, or local codes).
Monitor progress, resolve technical challenges, and guide field teams in implementing workplans effectively.
Coordinate closely with contractors to ensure timely delivery and adherence to specifications.
Contribute and facilitate the technical discussions that may arise during the implementation of ground activities with implementing partners and assist the project engineering team for different UN-Habitat projects in Heraton technical issues, documents and discussion.
Assist the Provincial Team Leaders with monitoring and quality control of infrastructure projects of relevant UN-Habitat projects through field visits as needed.
Technical Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement:
Provide technical guidance to design teams, contractors, and sub-contractors for optimized project execution.
Oversee risk assessments, compliance checks, and field surveys across the project lifecycle.
Engage communities and local authorities to ensure activities align with local needs and feedback is incorporated.
Quality, Safety & Compliance:
Enforce engineering standards, safety protocols, and environmental guidelines.
Verify materials and construction processes meet required specifications.
Identify risks, propose mitigation measures, and ensure corrective actions are implemented promptly.
Reporting & Documentation:
Maintain accurate records, site logs, and progress reports; ensure updated as-built drawings and maintenance manuals are produced.
Document lessons learned and shared best practices across projects.
Capacity Building & Other Duties:
Support training and capacity-building initiatives for field teams and local stakeholders.
Undertake additional tasks as assigned by the provincial team leader.
Qualifications
Education: A Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from a reputable public university is required. Advanced certifications in construction or project management (PMP, PRINCE2 etc), quality control, or related technical fields will be viewed favorably.
Experience:
A minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in construction and rehabilitation projects, infrastructure development, or construction project management with a strong technical focus.
Demonstrable experience in managing large scale infrastructure projects such as road construction, WASH system or community amenities and infrastructures.
Technical Competencies:
In-depth knowledge of engineering and structural design principles, construction materials, and modern construction practices relevant to community infrastructure and amenities.
Proficiency in engineering design software like AutoCAD, Civil 3D and project management tools. Expertise in the review and preparation of technical documentation such as detailed designs, scopes of work, and bills of quantities.
Familiarity with risk management procedures and quality assurance protocols in construction projects.
Knowledge of relevant local and international engineering standards and safety regulations.
Strong IT skills including proficiency in standard industry software for drafting, project management, and reporting.
Personal Skills:
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make swift technical decisions.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills to liaise with contractors, technical teams, and stakeholders.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple technical tasks concurrently while maintaining clarity on role responsibilities.
Ability to work in challenging environments under tight deadlines.
Flexibility to travel to project sites and work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team.
Language:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and Local/National Language of the duty station is required.
Other:
Build support with national counterparts, during the project period; Ensure high-quality and timely achievement of relevant activties and targets;
