National Site Engineer

Location: Accra, Ghana
Organization: FAO
Employment Type: Full-Time
Application Deadline: 25 June 2026

About FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger, improve food security, and promote sustainable agricultural development worldwide. Through innovative programmes and strategic partnerships, FAO supports countries in building resilient food systems, enhancing natural resource management, and improving livelihoods.

We are seeking an experienced and results-oriented National Site Engineer to support the implementation and supervision of irrigation, water supply, and related infrastructure projects in Ghana. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to impactful development initiatives while ensuring the delivery of high-quality infrastructure that supports sustainable agricultural growth and community resilience.

Your Responsibilities

As a National Site Engineer, you will:

• Supervise construction sites and field activities, ensuring layouts, alignments, and levels comply with approved construction drawings and technical specifications.
• Oversee borehole drilling, borehole construction, aquifer testing, solar-powered pumping system installation, water storage and distribution infrastructure, civil works, and drip irrigation systems.
• Ensure all construction activities meet required specifications, engineering standards, codes of practice, and quality requirements, including material testing and quality assurance procedures.
• Monitor contractors’ work programmes, identify potential delays, and ensure timely execution of project activities.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly progress reports detailing project activities, resource utilization, site conditions, and implementation status.
• Enforce health, safety, environmental, and quality standards across all project sites.
• Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation, while resolving technical challenges in collaboration with contractors and project stakeholders.
• Support the measurement and verification of completed works to facilitate contract administration and project monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with Ghanaian engineering standards, safety regulations, environmental safeguards, and approved project timelines.
• Prepare quarterly progress reports and contribute to comprehensive end-of-assignment reporting.

What Will Make You Successful?

Minimum Requirements

• Hold an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Irrigation Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geology, Agricultural Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Be a registered engineer with a recognized professional body.
• Possess a minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in solar irrigation management, water systems installation, borehole drilling, irrigation infrastructure, or related civil and water infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrate at least two (2) years of experience in site supervision of similar infrastructure projects, including contractor supervision, quality control, review of technical specifications and drawings, and monitoring of project implementation against approved schedules.
• Have a working knowledge of English (Level C).
• Be a national of Ghana.

FAO Core Competencies

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical and Functional Competencies

You will bring:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word, as well as project management software such as MS Project.
• Strong construction supervision and site management experience.
• Proven expertise in contract management for civil works, particularly irrigation and water infrastructure projects.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and Bills of Quantities (BOQs).
• Experience supervising borehole drilling operations and conducting groundwater and aquifer testing activities.
• Knowledge of irrigation system installation, particularly drip irrigation systems.
• Experience in material testing and quality control procedures, including concrete and compaction testing.
• Sound understanding of construction methods, engineering codes, and industry standards.
• Knowledge of Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) requirements for construction projects.
• Experience in project scheduling, planning, and monitoring using project management tools.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in measurements, inspections, and reporting.
• Ability to ensure compliance with relevant engineering codes, standards, and project requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

The following will be considered an advantage:

• Previous experience working with FAO or other United Nations agencies.
• Experience collaborating with government institutions and key stakeholders in Ghana.
• Experience implementing solar irrigation, water supply, or related infrastructure projects.

How to Apply

Apply online by clicking on the application button.