Background
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an independent, non-profit organization (NGO), founded on the basis of humanitarian principles, and human rights based approach, to secure the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and to promoting long term solutions to the problems of forced displacement.
DRC has been implementing humanitarian activities in Somalia since 2008. Using a protection of human rights framework, DRC Somalia assists refugees and migrants from the Horn of Africa and provides emergency assistance and livelihoods support to Somalis who are affected by conflict and drought throughout Somalia.
DRC works alongside the Danish Demining Group (DDG), a specialized unit within the DRC. DDG has operated in Somaliland since 1999 and in South Central Somalia since 2007 clearing mines and other explosive remnants of war. DDG’s approach has since evolved to support community and district-level planning that addresses an array of public safety concerns whether related to firearms, explosive remnants of war, local conflict, etc.
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and Danish Demining Group (DDG) have developed a joint strategy on Community-Driven Recovery and Safety (CDRS) in Southern Somalia. The joint strategy is designed to support stability by contributing to preconditions for representative and responsive local governance, strengthening capacity of local institutions to manage conflict and change peacefully, securing safety, deepening citizen engagement, ensuring that basic needs are met and the way is paved towards durable solutions for displacement affected communities.
The centre-piece of the CDRS approach is providing community block grants following community-driven planning process. Communities will receive additional social access and livelihoods grants, including support for community safety and conflict prevention activities.
Purpose
The position of CDRS Chief Engineer shall provide technical inputs and oversight to the implementation of CDRS funded community sub-projects at the district and community level. S/he shall respond to the capacity-building needs of the members of the Field Teams, especially the Field Engineers, Project Officers and Community Facilitators on community procurement, and preparation of technical plans/designs.
The staff shall link with the WASH and Infrastructure Manager for DRC-Somalia through the Project Manager, relative to ensuring compliance of community sub-projects to the technical standards of DRC.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
¨ Develop and maintain good relationships and lines of communication with the local authorities and partner development organizations in South-Central Somalia, and liaising with them during all phases of CDRS implementation.
¨ Ensure community involvement at all phases of the project (identification, design, implementation, and monitoring) to promote community ownership for the funded community sub-project. This should be done in coordination and cooperation with the assigned Field Teams in Warsheikh, Luuq and Baidoa districts where CDRS project is implemented.
¨ Conduct initial vetting of submitted sub-projects to review, revise and approve technical drawings and BOQs for all CDRS community sub-projects.
¨ Conduct compliance field visits to all CDRS project sites to maintain quality checks, and to make sure that both contractors and Field Engineer are following the approved BOQs and technical design.
¨ Prepare compliance reports as well as field progress reports, compile them and share with the CDRS Project Manager.
¨ Conduct on-the-job training for the Field Engineers on effective methods of project monitoring and supervision to ensure compliance with quality workmanship as per the project specifications and guidelines.
¨ Assist the Infrastructure Coordinator in the regular revision and updating of CDRS technical templates including drawings, BOQs, standard templates and other technical documents.
¨ Keep detailed technical records for every construction works, trainings and meetings with the Field Teams as per instruction and templates provided by the CDRS Project Manager.
¨ Provide regular written reports to the Project Manager on the status of project implementation at the district and community levels.
Field monitoring, supervision and technical support and reporting
¨ Provide technical assistance to the assigned Field Engineer in Baidoa, Luuq and Warsheik specifically in doing technical assessments, designing of the community sub-projects, generating BoQs, tendering process, among others.
¨ Extend technical supervision to Field Engineers and other Field Team members, and take responsibilities in all technical aspects of community sub-project implementation at the district or community level, ensuring furthermore that they are completed as planned, efficient and accurate according to approved engineering standard contained in the infrastructure manual of DRC.
¨ Compile technical plans and reports submitted by the CDRS Field Teams, including monitoring field reports for submission to the Project Manager for review and sharing to the Steering Committee (SC). Also prepare weekly/monthly monitoring and supervision work plans for approval by Project Manager.
Capacity building for Field Teams
¨ Facilitate the conduct of regular structured training activities to the CDRS Field Teams to ensure accurate and correct use of standard templates for infrastructure/sub-project formulation, including drawings, bill of quantities, operations and maintenance, environmental safeguards, sub-project proposal, among others as per the CDRS Operations Manual (OM).
¨ Facilitate the conduct of on-the-job training on community procurement (i.e., works, services, goods) to ensure fairness and transparency in the whole tendering process. This shall include correct use of procurement templates (i.e., ITB, BoQ, minutes of bid analysis and selection of contractor, contract preparation, etc.). Additionally, the training shall further include effective methods for project monitoring and supervision to ensure compliance with quality workmanship as per the project specifications (i.e., filling of site supervision record books, preparation of specific workmanship checklist, among others).
¨ Work in accordance with the existing DRC Somalia rules and regulations and adhere to the DRC Staff Code of Conduct.
¨ Perform any other relevant duties as instructed by the Project Manager.
Reporting Arrangements
The CDRS Chief Engineer shall directly report to the CDRS Project Manager, as his/her immediate supervisor.
S/he shall liaise with the WASH and Infrastructure Manager for DRC-Somalia through the CDRS Project Manager, especially on matters related to technical compliance of funded community sub-projects.
General
Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework into the work of DRC (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)
Personal Specifications
Essential:
¨ A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or equivalent qualification with three years’ field experience preferably in implementing community infrastructure
¨ Experience in the preparation of community infrastructure designs, BoQs and BoMs
¨ Good command in English, both spoken and written
¨ A good planner and communicator, able to provide recommendations for issues identified in the course of work
¨ Ability to plan and conduct technical on-the-job training for CDRS Field Engineers, Project Officers and Community Facilitators
¨ Understanding of gender, protection and human rights
¨ Computer literate with proficiency especially in AutoCad and MS Excel
¨ Good knowledge of the local social and cultural constraints, realities and environmental conditions in South-Central Somalia
¨ Knowledge and experience in participatory approaches in community development will be an added advantage
Preferable:
- Good negotiator, and can relate well with local NGOs and local authorities
- Experience working with community-driven development (CDD) projects
· Ability to speak and write Somali language fluently
Terms and Conditions
The post holder shall make frequent visits to various locations in the regions of Gedo, Bay, Middle Shabelle, or South-Central Somalia in general. S/he shall be willing and able to visit all areas where the CDRS project is implemented.
Other employment conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Human Resource Policy.
HOW TO APPLY:
If you meet the above qualifications and requirements and interested in the job, please apply. Applicants should send a cover letter, and CV to the email address: drcjobs@drcsomalia.org.
Please put “CDRS chief Engineer” as the subject heading. CVs should not be longer than 4-pages.
Deadline for applications is on 23 July 2015.
ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
