Lead Road Pavement Materials 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.

This position operates within a dynamic infrastructure project environment, leading the engineering design and evaluation of pavement materials for road and highway projects across the Horn of Africa. The role is critical for ensuring durable, cost-effective, and climate-resilient pavement structures, with a strong focus on material performance, testing, and compliance with standards.

Reporting to the Senior Project Manager-Infrastructure, the Pavement Engineer will lead the investigation, design, and specification of pavement systems, including subgrade, subbase, base, and surfacing layers, ensuring that designs are technically sound, cost-effective, and compliant with UNOPS and international standards.

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

1. Pavement Investigation, Site Assessment, and Material Evaluation

• Assess project sites

• Lead geotechnical and pavement-related site investigations, including field surveys and interpretation of laboratory test results.

• Assess subgrade conditions, including strength (CBR, modulus), moisture content, and variability.

• Evaluate material sources (quarries, borrow pits) for suitability, quality, and availability.

• Review existing pavement conditions (for rehabilitation projects) and identify failure mechanisms.

• Define key design input parameters based on traffic, soil, and environmental conditions.

2.Road Cross-Section/Pavement Design

• Lead the design of full pavement cross-sections, including subgrade, subbase, base, and surfacing layers.

• Determine layer thicknesses and structural composition based on:

  • Traffic loading (ESALs, axle loads)

  • Subgrade strength and material properties

  • Design life and performance requirements

  • Environmental and climatic conditions

• Develop pavement design calculations, models, and assumptions.

• Prepare pavement cross-section drawings and typical details.

Apply recognized design standards and methodologies (ERA, AASHTO, mechanistic-empirical approaches, and national standards).
3. Pavement Material Selection, Mix Design, and Specifications

• Select suitable materials for each pavement layer considering:

  • Climate conditions (temperature, rainfall, UV exposure)

  • Traffic loading and durability requirements

  • Local material availability and constructability
    
    

• Develop detailed technical specifications for:

  • Subgrade improvement and stabilization

  • subbase and base materials

  • Asphalt and concrete materials
    
    

• Define material requirements including grading, strength, durability, and moisture resistance.

• Lead and review asphalt and concrete mix designs, ensuring compliance with performance requirements.

• Optimize material combinations for durability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental suitability.

• Ensure compliance with international (ASTM, AASHTO, BS) and national standards.

4. Traffic, Climate, and Pavement Performance Analysis

• Analyze traffic data to determine design traffic (ESALs), axle loads, and growth projections.

• Incorporate climate and environmental conditions into pavement design, including:

  • Design pavement structures to resist: Rutting, Fatigue cracking, Thermal cracking, Moisture-related damage

  • Ensure integration of drainage considerations into pavement design to enhance performance and durability.

5. Construction Support, Quality Assurance, and Control (QA/QC)

• Review and approve material submittals, laboratory test results, and mix designs.

• Provide technical support during pavement construction activities, including:

  • Subgrade preparation

  • Placement and compaction of subbase and base layers

  • Asphalt paving and finishing

• Conduct site inspections and ensure compliance with approved designs and specifications.

• Monitor quality control processes and testing requirements.

• Support resolution of technical and material-related issues during construction.

• Contribute to QA/QC documentation and preparation of as-built records.

6. Design Documentation and Reporting

• Prepare and review:

  • Pavement design reports

  • Material specifications

  • Mix design reports

  • Technical drawings and details

  • Bill of Quantities (BoQ)

• Ensure clear documentation of assumptions, methodologies, and design inputs.

• Respond to technical comments and revise design outputs accordingly.

• Maintain proper records and archiving of all design and material data.

7. Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate with multidisciplinary design teams.

• Ensure integration of pavement design with overall road infrastructure (alignment, drainage, structures).

• Liaise with contractors, consultants, and material suppliers.

• Support procurement processes through technical inputs, evaluations, and clarifications.

8. Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

• Contribute to development and updating of pavement design guidelines and material specifications.

• Share technical knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned.

• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior engineers and technical staff.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of pavement engineering technologies and standards.

Required

• An advanced University Degree (Master's) degree in Transportation Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or related field.

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

Required

• Minimum 5 years of experience in pavement, material, transport engineering.

• Practicing professional Highway Pavement/Material Engineer licence 

Desired

• Experience working with international standards

• Experience in construction supervision of road works

• Experience in:

• Pavement cross-section design

• Material selection and specification

• Asphalt and/or concrete mix design

• Laboratory and field testing

• Experience in the preparation of : Drawings, Design reports, Technical specifications and BoQs

• Experience using pavement design tools and softwares

• 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. 
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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 [link removed]. 
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• 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.