Consultant Engineer

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website:  and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

This position is based at WFP Headquarters in Rome, with frequent travel to various WFP operations. It requires a competent civil engineer with project management experience, particularly in community infrastructures.
The Community Infrastructure Engineer (CIE) will report to the Senior Engineer MSDE and a designated supervisor from PPG Unit, supporting and ensuring the effective implementation of engineering best practices, standards, and technologies across Ecology, Community Infrastructure, and Livelihoods (ECL) activities - formerly known as Food Assistance for Assets (FFA). The role may also extend to other areas such as School Meals, Nutrition, Smallholder Agricultural Market Support (SAMS), Climate initiatives, or any activities requiring specific engineering services or construction expertise.
The engineer shall be able to demonstrate strong competence and progressively responsible experience in one or more of the following areas: project management, water infrastructure design and construction, and planning and programming engineering projects with community-based interventions. Experience as a project manager focused on infrastructure design and construction is essential.
The engineer should also have experience in construction contract management, including knowledge of international construction contract law and familiarity with FIDIC or related contract formats.
Key responsibilities include providing technical advice to the PPGR (ECL/FFA Unit) for developing operational procedures, technical steps, and processes for a range of ECL/FFA programmes that require engineering support. Additionally, the engineer will support WFP Engineering in developing contractual strategies, offering expertise and guidance on engineering design and review, project management, construction procurement processes, and contract management for construction activities. The role also involves supporting public procurement contracting in a UN environment and providing technical support to WFP programmes.

ACCOUNTABILITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

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Provide Engineering Expertise: Serve as a Technical Advisor within WFP Engineering at Rome Headquarters, delivering high-quality engineering services and construction support to WFP operations, interagency initiatives where WFP has a leading role, and partner humanitarian organizations. This includes both routine and emergency contexts, in alignment with WFP's mandate.

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Ensure Governance and Quality: Uphold accountability for governance, risk management, and resource utilization in engineering services and construction activities. Reinforce technical quality and promote sustainable outcomes
across all WFP operations.

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Strengthen Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work in partnership with Programme (PPGR), and other functional units, to develop and maintain operating arrangements and procedures that ensure adherence to standards and best practices for ECL/FFA and related activities requiring engineering components and/or construction services.

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Support ECL/FFA Initiatives: Collaborate closely with the ECL/FFA (Ecology, Community Infrastructure, and Livelihoods/Food Assistance for Assets) for initiative under the Programme and Policy Group (PPGR) supporting the creation or rehabilitation of community assets that enhance long-term food security and resilience.

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Promote Climate and Disaster Resilience: Support the design and implementation of projects that foster healthier natural environments, reduce the risks and impacts of climate shocks, increase food productivity, and strengthen community resilience to natural disasters.

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Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to the development and dissemination of technical guidelines, training materials, and best practices to build capacity within WFP and among partners, ensuring consistent application of engineering standards.
 

The duties required shall include but are not limited to the following:
1)
Provide technical advice (TA) on ongoing design processes and works implementation related to engineering projects.
1)
Conduct, when required, analysis of project proposals to ensure business case and technical feasibility of the activities and that the project objectives are attainable within the prescribed resources and timelines.
2)
Analyze and advise on project proposals, design, and implementation strategy for community infrastructure and complex ECL/FFA activities, including those under L3 emergencies and those funded by Institutional Financial Institutions (IFI).
3)
Conduct in field missions for project review and technical support/training.
4)
Act as a focal point from WFP Engineering to PPGR activities, supporting COs in developing country-specific ECL/FFA technical guidance.
5)
Support MSDE on designing an integrated Engineering–Programme framework for coordination across ECL/FFA, School Meals, and Nutrition, including foundational documents (ToR, Special Annex 1E, directives).
6)
Develop, share, and manage reports, communications, and documentation to ensure alignment and transparency.
7)
Upload Engineering document and ECL/FFA (FLA, ERAM guidance, pre-selection tools, technical drawings, best practices) to the WFP Engineering platform.
8)
Review and propose updates to the Engineering Requirement Engineering Matrix (ERAM
9)
Support development of training modules (as webinars) on best engineering practices for ECL/FFA and programme communities.
10)
Operate computer-assisted engineering (e.g. AutoCAD, Microsoft Project) and design software and equipment.
11)
Any other duties assigned as per requirement by the supervisor/s.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Education:
University Degree in Civil Engineering with a post-graduate or master's degree specialization in project management or water infrastructure.
Experience:
Eight or more years of relevant civil engineering experience at increasing levels of responsibilities in community infrastructure
Knowledge & Skills:

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Knowledge and/or experience in engineering design.

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Good knowledge of public procurement procedures as well as international contract formats and construction management procedures.

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Experience working within the humanitarian community and in field conditions.

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Experience with community-based participatory practices and product asset programmes.

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Knowledge and/or experience in engineering design.

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Detailed knowledge of construction contract formats and contract management obligations.
Languages:
Professional fluency (proficiency/level C) of English. Knowledge of additional UN languages (French, Arabic, Spanish or Portuguese) are an additional advantage.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

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Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: 

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.