Construction Engineer – Footbridge Construction: Solidarités Vacancy Announcement

Position: Construction Engineer – Footbridge Construction
Location: Bardera, Gedo district, Somalia.
Duration:
 2 months
Start date (planned):
 26th April 2010

Solidarités is an international humanitarian aid organisation which provides assistance to populations who are victims of armed conflict or natural disaster.
For 26 years, Solidarités has concentrated its action on meeting three vital needs: water, food and shelter. By carrying out emergency programmes, Solidarités acquired experience end expertise in the fields of access to drinking water and

sanitation.

In the Horn of Africa, Solidarités is currently implementing food security, water and sanitation projects in Kenya and South Somalia.

Program description

Solidarités is implementing a project in Bardera, Gedo District, Somalia which is addressing problems related to water, sanitation and food security. Part of the project requires the construction of a concrete footbridge in Bardera town which will reconnect sections of the community that are often cut off by flooding.
Job/Task Description
Footbridge construction
  • To take overall responsibility for the successful completion and the finished quality of a concrete footbridge in Bardera town (10m span)
  • To review the current footbridge design and BoQ and suggest any improvements if necessary
  • To review the detailed planning of activities
  • To travel to Bardera and implement the construction of the bridge in collaboration with a local civil engineer
  • To help recruit project masons and daily workers in accordance with solidarites procedures
  • and communication of the planning to the construction team
  • Daily management and supervision of the footbridge construction
Review and support of construction techniques in other areas of Solidarites program
  • To review several construction techniques, in particular the use of reinforced concrete, in Solidarités water and sanitation project and to suggest improvements to the team.
  • Retraining of Solidarites construction supervisors and community masons on improved construction techniques.
General
  • Write and submit weekly and ‘end of mission’ activity reports to Solidarites Nairobi
  • To strictly follow Solidarites security and personal behaviour guidelines while engaged for this task
Duration of activities

The planned duration of the footbridge construction activities is 1 month. An additional 1 month will be dedicated to reviewing construction techniques in other area of the Solidarites program and staff training.
Qualifications and experience requested
Qualifications:
 
  • Degree in Civil Engineering or other relevant field
Professional Experience: 
  • Minimum 3 years of high level supervision experience in bridge construction, road construction or civil engineering activities
  • Minimum 2 years of experience in team management and planning
  • Minimum 2 years of experience in project management
  • Proven experience of working directly with beneficiary communities
6. Person Specification
Skills and competences
  • Good knowledge of civil engineering, bridge and road construction
  • Strong team leading and coordination abilities
  • Fluent English and native Somali speaker only.
  • Ability to propose practical solutions and put them into action
  • Ability to negotiate with communities
  • Good communicator
  • Ability to write good reports
Personality traits
  • Calm and diplomatic (security context)
  • Good resistance to stress
  • Ability to function well in very challenging environments and situations
  • Ability to work with a multicultural team
7. Hierarchy:
Under the authority of:
 Bardera Field Coordinator
Collaborating with:
 
  • WASH Program Manager (Bardera)
  • Assistant WASH Program manager (Bardera)
  • WASH Coordinator (Nairobi)
Supervising:
  • Local Engineer
  • Masons
  • Daily Workers
How to apply:

Kindly send your cover letter, CV, copies of Certificates and contact details for 3 referees to jobapplication @ solidarites-kenya-som.org on or before 15th April 2010.

Please indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Solidarités international is an equal opportunity employer