Construction Permits & NOC, Senior Engineer

Hill International; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A global construction management firm is seeking a Construction Permits & NOCs Expert to manage authority approvals for major projects in the UAE. The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and 10-15 years of extensive experience in permitting NOCs. The role requires excellent communication skills and a deep understanding of local authority processes. This position plays a crucial part in navigating complex regulatory pathways for timely project execution.

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of experience in permitting NOCs and authority coordination in UAE construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of local authority requirements and permitting workflows.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the permitting and NOC process for construction works and ensure timely approvals.
• Coordinate with consultants and contractors to prepare permit applications.
• Maintain a centralized tracker for all permits and NOCs.

Skills

Permitting NOCs management

Authority coordination

Project planning

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, architecture, or related field

Job description

Hill International provides program, project, and construction management services for clients in a range of sectors undertaking major construction projects across the world. Our services include cost engineering and estimating, quality assurance, inspection, scheduling, risk management, and claims avoidance. For more information on Hill, please visit our website at www.hillintl.com

The Construction Permits & NOCs Expert will oversee and manage all authority approvals required for major infrastructure and construction projects. The role will support the SPV, EPC Contractor, and O&M Contractor in securing timely permits and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from all relevant UAE government entities and utility providers. The ideal candidate brings strong relationships with authorities, deep knowledge of regulatory processes, and proven experience navigating complex approval pathways.

General Description of Role and Responsibilities

• Lead the complete permitting and NOC process for construction works, ensuring timely approvals from UAE authorities including DMT, UPC, ADM, ITC, DOT, Civil Defense, Police, Military, ADDC, ADSSC, EWEC, Etisalat, Du, GASCO, EAD, ADQCC, ADAC, AD Ports, and other agencies.
• Coordinate with design consultants, EPC teams, and contractors to prepare, validate, and submit technically complete permit applications in alignment with project schedules.
• Maintain an up-to-date, centralized tracker for all permits and NOCs, capturing submission status, comments, approvals, expiry dates, and renewal timelines.
• Liaise with authorities, utility providers, and municipalities to resolve technical issues, address queries, and facilitate approval processes.
• Provide strategic guidance on permitting risks, regulatory timelines, constraints, and mitigation measures to support project planning.
• Ensure all documentation complies with authority standards and is submitted in the approved format, sequence, and platform (as applicable).
• Track and communicate changes in regulations, authority requirements, and permitting procedures to all stakeholders.
• Participate in coordination meetings to support cross-utility interfaces, resolve inter-agency conflicts, and ensure smooth project progress.
• Support project execution by securing construction permits, road opening permits, utility clearances, and completion/NOC close‑out approvals.

Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, architecture, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 - 15 years of experience in permitting NOCs, and authority coordination within UAE construction or infrastructure projects.
• In‑depth knowledge of local authority requirements, permitting workflows, and NOC processes.
• Strong working knowledge of authority processes (DMT, ADM, DOT, ADSSC, ADDC, Civil Defense, etc).
• Proven experience supporting EPC/PMC/Consultant teams on major projects.
• Strong network and working relationships with UAE authorities and utility agencies.
• Proven ability to manage complex approval processes and multi‑agency coordination.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Arabic proficiency is an advantage.