IOM: Project Officer – Civil Engineer – Khartoum

Organization Mission

Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. IOM is part of the United Nations system, as a related organization.

IOM supports migrants across the world, developing effective responses to the shifting dynamics of migration and, as such, is a key source of advice on migration policy and practice. The organization works in emergency situations, developing the resilience of all people on the move, and particularly those in situations of vulnerability, as well as building capacity within governments to manage all forms and impacts of mobility.

The Organization is guided by the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including upholding human rights for all. Respect for the rights, dignity and well-being of migrants remains paramount.

Context

This assignment is part of a UNV-funded initiative designed to bring fresh, diverse talent into UN programmes from countries that are currently unrepresented among UN Volunteers. It offers a unique opportunity to help ensure that global volunteering truly reflects the world we serve, while giving participating UN Volunteers meaningful, hands-on experience with leading UN partners. As such, the initiative targets candidates from the following nationalities: Andorra, Croatia, Estonia, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Slovenia.

The Sudan Integrated Social Sector Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (SISSIRP), funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), aims to improve the livelihoods and resilience of conflict-affected populations in Sudan through an integrated approach to the health, education and technical/vocational training (TVET), and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sectors. The project responds to the urgent needs arising from the ongoing conflict, which has led to the destruction of critical social infrastructure and displacement of millions.

SISSIRP will be implemented across four target states — Aj Jazirah, River Nile, White Nile, and Sennar. The project covers approximately 51 sites across 20 communities and is implemented over a 24-month period (November 2025 – October 2027). The project focuses on rehabilitating and equipping social infrastructure, restoring access to safe water and sanitation, and improving healthcare and TVET facilities.

The Project Officer will report directly to the Engineering Head under the overall supervision of the IOM Project Manager (SISSIRP) and coordinate closely with the engineering (civil and WASH), health, TVET, procurement, and environmental and social (E&S) teams, as well as field-based state engineers and area coordinators.

Key Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Engineering Head or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will:

1. Support the supervision of construction and rehabilitation works across the four target states to ensure compliance with IOM contractual requirements, national standards, and building codes, in close coordination with state-based Civil & WASH Engineers and the QA/QC Engineer.
2. Assist in the preparation and review of technical designs, drawings, BOQs, and specifications, ensuring they are accurate, feasible, and aligned with project objectives.
3. Review technical documentation and calculations submitted by contractors, providing technical inputs and recommendations to support quality assurance and avoid late-stage variations.
4. Contribute to the review of contractor submissions and progress reports, supporting verification of works completed against agreed specifications, timelines, and quality standards.
5. Conduct regular site monitoring visits to track progress, identify issues, and propose corrective actions in coordination with the Engineering Head, QA/QC Engineer, and state-based engineering and area coordination teams.
6. Review site visit and progress reports, highlighting implementation status, risks, and compliance with contractual and technical requirements.
7. Support coordination with contractors and project stakeholders, including participation in site meetings and follow-up on agreed actions to ensure timely delivery.
8. Work closely with the Engineering Head and Project Manager to ensure effective documentation, reporting, and tracking of progress, contributing to timely decision-making and contract management.
9. Act as a cross-sector coordination focal point for engineering matters, convening WASH, health, TVET, and environmental and social (E&S) colleagues to resolve site-level implementation issues, and maintaining a consolidated implementation issue log to support weekly tracking and escalation.
10. Support procurement and contract management for civil works, including pre-award technical clarifications and contractor pre-qualification reviews; post-award verification of mobilization, insurance and performance bonds, and contractor work plans against approved BOQs; measurement verification, and processing of variation orders in line with IOM procedures.
11. Contribute engineering inputs to AfDB reporting requirements, including Quarterly Progress Reports, Borrower E&S Implementation Reports, and mid-term review preparations; coordinate the collection of geo-tagged site photographs and BOQ-versus-actuals reconciliation across the four states; and support the Information Management team in keeping engineering data current on project dashboards and trackers.
12. Perform any other related duties as may be required by the Engineering Head or Project Manager to support the timely and quality delivery of project outputs.

Required Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated experience supporting design review, BoQs preparation, and technical documentation for construction or rehabilitation projects.
• Basic knowledge of construction standards, building codes, and quality assurance practices.
• Experience in site supervision and contractor coordination, including monitoring progress against plans and specifications.
• Proven ability to support project implementation tasks, including progress tracking, reporting, and coordination with contractors and stakeholders.
• Experience preparing technical reports, site visit notes, and progress updates.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Working knowledge of engineering and design software (e.g. AutoCAD or similar).
• Familiarity with basic data tracking or reporting tools.
• Willingness and ability to conduct regular field visits, including to remote or challenging environments.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with humanitarian or early recovery programming, particularly in fragile or conflict-affected settings desirable.
• Experience working with contract management processes and supporting procurement or tendering activities desirable.
• Knowledge of environmental and social safeguards (E&S) standards desirable.

Core Competencies

Values:
• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioral indicators
• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Living Conditions

Khartoum currently presents a complex and challenging duty station, shaped by the ongoing conflict since April 2023. The security situation over the last year has been largely stable, but remains fluid. Security protocols are still in effect, and staff movements may be limited, often requiring prior clearance and adherence to UN security guidance.

From a cultural perspective, Sudan is a predominantly Muslim society. Respect for local customs is essential, including modest dress standards (particularly in public) and restrictions on alcohol consumption, which is prohibited.

Accommodation will be provided in the IOM guesthouse, which is a modern and well-furnished apartment which is located across the street from the IOM office. The guesthouse has a walled perimeter and 24/7 security. A vehicle and driver are available during working hours. Telecommunications and internet connectivity are available and generally reliable.