Overview of Helvetas and the Project

HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation is an independent development organization based in Switzerland and it has been operating for the last 65 years worldwide. HELVETAS is registered in Ethiopia as foreign organization with the Agency for Civil Society Organization to operate in the areas of Rural Infrastructure, Natural Resource Management, Support to CSO and Local Governments, Skill Development & Education and Emergency Response. See also. www.helvetas.org.

Under its Rural Infrastructure thematic area ‘Transformative Rural Access for Improved Livelihoods in Ethiopia (TRAIL)’ project (hereinafter called “the project”) aims to build the enabling environment to create first mile transport connectivity in rural Ethiopia. This will result in enhanced access to critical services and economic opportunities for remote communities. The project will develop capacities of actors within the rural access sector, institutionalize rural access for scale and build evidence and innovate for rural access development in the coming three years in Amhara, Oromia, Sidma, SNNPR, Somali and southwest Ethiopia regions.

There will be three regional teams i.e., one south- east team with a base in Addis Ababa covering Oromia and Somali, south - west with a base in Hawassa covering Sidma, SNNPR and Southwest regions and North team with the base in Bahir Dar and covering Amhara Region. All teams are provided guidance and strategic direction by the National Program Team in Addis Ababa. The Senior Infrastructure officer will be member of national team.

Job Purposes

The purpose of the Senior Infrastructure officer is to lead trail bridges construction designs, tender document preparations and ensure quality implementation as per the standard, specification, and guidelines. The position holder guides and advises field-based Infrastructure officers to provide up to standard technical support on area of trail bridge construction, trail improvement. S/He will provide

capacity development ToT trainings and technical support on area of trail bridge and trail improvement design, construction, operation and maintenance for staff, government, private actors, and community. S/He will closely work with Ethiopian rods administration, regional road bureaus, universities and technical vocational schools on area of developing standards, inclusion of trail bridge in education curriculum, embedding trail bridges in appropriate national institutions and web-based data management system.

Duties and Responsibilities

Planning, Implementation, Design and Development

• Ensures proper planning for building trail bridges as per the project plan;
• Coordinate and monitor feasibility studies and advises selection of appropriate, low cost, and site-specific technology or design;
• Provides high level leadership in preparation of designs, drawings, and materials specifications;
• Ensures construction works are accomplished with high quality, minimum cost and women, children, and user friendly;
• Ensures appropriate environmental mitigation measures are integrated in all infrastructure works of trail bridge and trail improvement.

Capacity Development, Technical Support and Supervision

• Conducts regular field supervision and provide technical support for staff and key project partners;
• Actively follow and support design development and check designs of suspended and suspension bridges;
• Provide high quality technical support for the assessment of prospective trail bridge sites for technical approval (process survey, evaluate aerial imagery, preliminary design alternatives;
• Coordinate potential risks and problems identification and timely advice and implement mitigation measure;
• Coordinate with concerned staff and partners for web base data management development and functionalization;
• Builds the capacity of partners to ensure quality delivery, assurance and trail bridge ownership and sustainability;
• Regular inspects trail bridge and trail improvement constructions to ensure compliance with design, specifications, and standards;
• Provide technical support for procurement of materials needed for trail bridge construction;
• Ensures construction materials are properly used and timely material use reports produced;
• Ensures full engagement of government partners in project management and reporting;
• Collaborate with government technical teams in reviewing the operations performance of consultants and contractors, preparing completion reports.

Knowledge management and Reporting

• Promotes and supports innovative and different types of trail bridge technologies based on span, topography, agroecology, and purpose;
• Learn from the successes of similar ongoing project and other Helvetas country to transfer and implement lesson in TCRE project;
• Ensures the communication and dissemination of success stories and lessons learned within the organization, with partners and other stakeholders;
• Writes related reports required by government and donors;
• Documents and disseminates information to staff and partners;
• Keeps up to date with developments in the sector and ensures ongoing personal development and learning.

Job Requirements

Qualification and Experience

• BSc Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Technology and Management, Public Works Engineering and related field of studies; 
• A minimum of 7 years relevant and progressive professional experience in rural infrastructure in general and in rural roads construction planning, budgeting, design, contract management, construction supervision and monitoring in particular;
• Excellent knowledge of conducting study, monitoring, and quality control;
• Understanding and knowledge of the Ethiopian Road Sector Development Program, working guidelines, standards, and specifications;
• Experience of enhancing partnership and working with multi stakeholder;
• Experience in intuitional capacity building and delivering different ToT trainings and developing teams;
• NGO experience is advantageous.

Skills and Competencies Required

• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Competences in the use of Microsoft Office applications (MS-Project, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); knowledge of SAP is a plus;
• Skills on mainstreaming gender and social equity in rural infrastructure program/ projects;
• Excellent command of English language, writing, reporting and communication skills;
• Knowledge and skill of GIS related software is an asset;
• Flexible, capable of working independently, high integrity, and hard-working.

Guiding Principle

In undertaking the work and carrying out the specific tasks and responsibilities, the employee will be abiding by the following guiding principles:

• Demonstrate a high level of integrity and ethics with due regard to organizational policies and procedures, working guidelines and the requirement of the job;
• Respect HELVETAS Ethiopia’s mission and values to serve economically poor and socially disadvantaged as well as have a high regard for the organization’s working culture;
• Adhere to the Country Program Strategy 2019-2023 (HELVETAS’ Gender and Social Equity Strategy and the Code of Conduct;
• Promulgate accountability, self-initiative and teamwork;
• Be committed and determined to improve the livelihoods of the target communities.

Working Conditions

This job will require field work in the Amhara, Oromia, Sidama, SNNPR, Somali and Southwest regions of Ethiopia. Because of the remoteness of the field work incumbent will expected to regularly travel to remote trail bridge sites.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by sending their application and updated CV through HumanResources.ETH@helvetas.org or through CLICK HERE

HELVETAS is an equal opportunity employer; however, women candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Please make sure you write the position title and the duty station you are applying for in the subject line. 

Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.