Lead Quantity Surveyor

Job Highlight This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned Lead Quantity Surveyor to significantly contribute to sustainable development initiatives across the Horn of Africa. The role offers the chance to apply expert knowledge in cost management and quantity surveying to high-impact infrastructure projects, work within a dynamic international environment, and advance a career with a leading UN organization dedicated to improving lives. Role Purpose The Lead Quantity Surveyor manages the comprehensive quantity surveying and cost management processes for civil engineering projects, providing authoritative advice and adapting established methodologies to ensure accurate cost estimation, procurement support, and financial control. This role is critical for the successful and efficient delivery of infrastructure initiatives, ensuring integrity, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness. Functions / Key Results Expected Site Assessment and Data Review Undertake complex/multi-site technical assessments and establish approaches/methodologies. Provide senior technical advice on the interpretation of drawings, surveys, specifications, geotechnical information, and other technical data to inform project design and cost decisions. Establish appropriate methodologies and approaches for quantity assessment, measurement, and cost estimation for complex infrastructure projects. Identify and proactively address technical, constructability, and cost risks, recommending mitigation measures and alternative solutions. Actively participate in multidisciplinary technical coordination and resolve complex technical issues. Engineering Estimates and Cost Planning and Analysis Lead and validate complex, high-value estimates and provide authoritative cost advice.. Provide authoritative technical advice to project management and senior stakeholders on quantities, cost estimates, technical specifications, pricing assumptions, and Bills of Quantities. Develop cost breakdowns using current market prices, labor rates, and material costs. Review and challenge estimates prepared by project teams or consultants, ensuring technical integrity, consistency, competitiveness, and value for money. Bills of Quantities (BoQ) Preparation Establish and promote standardized measurement methodologies, item descriptions, units, and quantity take-off approaches across projects. Ensure consistency and technical integrity between drawings, specifications, design changes, BoQs, and cost estimates. Provide technical leadership in resolving complex discrepancies between design documentation, specifications, quantities, and cost estimates. Develop guidance and quality-control mechanisms to improve the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of BoQs and quantity assessments. Procurement Support Provide authoritative technical advice to tender documents, including BoQs and specifications throughout procurement and bid evaluation . Advise on responses to bidder queries during the procurement process. Advise project and procurement stakeholders on cost competitiveness, technical compliance, risks, and value-for-money considerations. Review proposed contractual rates and commercial assumptions and advise on their technical and financial implications. Site Measurement and As-Built Quantification Advise on cost variation analysis, contractors’ claims analysis and new rate review during implementation, including advice on possible resolution Review and validate proposed new rates and cost adjustments, ensuring consistency with contractual provisions, market conditions, and established pricing methodologies. Provide senior technical recommendations on disputed quantities, variations, claims, and cost adjustments to support management decision-making. Lead the preparation and validation of as-built quantity assessments and ensure alignment with approved designs, site measurements, and contractor submissions. Provide technical advice supporting the certification and acceptance of completed work Documentation and Reporting Establish and oversee technical quality-control mechanisms for engineering estimates, BoQs, quantity measurements, cost data, and related documentation. Develop and maintain technical standards, procedures, guidance, templates, and tools for quantity surveying and engineering cost management. Establish and maintain reliable cost databases, benchmarks, historical pricing information, and lessons learned to support future infrastructure projects. Prepare high-level cost analysis and management reports, highlighting trends, risks, variances, and implications for project delivery. Provide senior management with advice and recommendations on project cost, commercial risks, and technical matters. Promote knowledge sharing and provide technical guidance and mentoring to project teams and less experienced personnel in engineering estimating, quantity surveying, measurement, and cost control. Education Requirements Required An Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Construction Technology and Management , or a related field, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, is required. A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Civil Engineering, Construction Technology and Management , or a related field, combined with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Desired Additional relevant professional qualifications or certifications in quantity surveying, cost estimation, or construction management are desirable. Required Experience Requirements A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in civil engineering, quantity surveying, cost estimation, and/or construction project support is required. A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in preparing engineering cost estimates, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), quantity take-offs and cost analyses is required. A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in site measurement, as-built quantity assessment and verification of executed works is required. A valid practicing professional Construction Management license is required. Desired Experience in construction projects, including knowledge of construction materials, methods, local market prices, labour rates, material costs and supplier/service costs, is desirable.