Background:

The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian international NGOs, provides relief, rehabilitation and development support to vulnerable people and communities over 30 countries. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopia’s Somali region and are currently providing assistance to Ethiopians and refugees in six regions in Ethiopia, implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery, and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Position Overview

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) seeks Roving Infrastructure Officer (RIO) based in Jigjiga who supports all target project locations in the Somali region. Reporting jointly to the Deputy Coordinator for PlayMatters based in Addis and Sr. Education Officer based in Jigjiga.  Engineering support to be provided by the Environmental Health (EH) team.  The RIO will also provide surge support to the EH based on workload and need.

Major key Responsibilities:

The RIO will support IRC’s PlayMatters project in assessing rehabilitation identifying/proposing appropriate school infrastructure rehabilitation, sourcing suppliers, field supervision and quality & cost control. She/he will oversee, and support planning and implementation of rehabilitation works as well as new construction of infrastructures and will support the logistic and supply chain unit when procuring outdoor playground equipment and fixtures.

1.     Needs Assessment

• In line with annual Project implementation plan, develop a specific annual activity plan for construction, maintenance works and equipment/furniture supplies,  

• Lead needs assessments for equipment/furniture and constructions/maintenance works and provide technical assistance by conducting surveys, compiling school infrastructure data, preparing engineering drawings and cost estimates, and analyzing contexts of the schools,  

• Prepare need assessment reports [Evaluation for expression of needs from beneficiaries] in line with the project result frameworks, IRC and donor guidelines, local building standards and forward recommendations, including priority areas of intervention, for review and later for joint validation with relevant stakeholders

2.     Planning, Design Development and Documentation

• Lead a consultative meeting with the project team and other relevant stakeholders in the review of infrastructures, equipment supplies, and proposed maintenance works to ensure key crosscutting issues such as protection, gender, inclusion are properly addressed and to check if new designs and equipment supplied are age appropriate and comply with IRC and donor requirements

• Present final designs/ proposals for key stakeholders and follow-up verification (approvals) from stakeholders - REB, RRS or other relevant authorities

• Prepare complete construction drawings and bill of quantities with cost estimates for the proposed new constructions and maintenance works and provide essential data for preparing Purchase Requisitions

• Devise a risk management strategy considering project time frame, context of project area, local markets as well as financial and procurement policies of IRC, and propose a viable delivery modality for maintenance and new construction.

3.     Procurement Support and Construction Management  

• Support procurement for infrastructures and equipment by preparing RFQs, bidding documents, reporting, analyzing bids, and evaluating the technical competency of suppliers. 

• With the support of the project and supply chain teams, prepare bidding documents which have Bidding procedures, evaluation criteria for Contractors, Scope of Work and ToR, activity schedules (BoQ), Drawings and provision of contracts 

• Draft bid evaluation technical reports for procurement committee review and approval  

• Monitor progress and quality of construction works, certify quality of workmanship and materials and equipment brought on site by contractors are following specifications of the contract agreement and conventional construction standards and norms

• Regularly review construction schedules to alert contractors of possible delays and consequences

• Arrange regular site meeting between contractors and project staff to solve emerging issues on site

• Inspect and sign off on all works completed and materials to make sure the contractors have complied with specifications mentioned in the contract

• Measure completed constructions, verify payment requests and claims from contractors, control costs and variances and notify for budget holders 

• Evaluate performance of contractors whenever necessary and keep good performing contractor in a roaster

• Coordinate and lead regular joint monitoring visits to construction sites with key partners and beneficiaries

• Ensure completed buildings are properly handover to beneficiaries at the presence of relevant authorities

Job Requirements

• BSC degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering or Construction Technology & Management

• 2 years of general experience in Construction Sector.  Construction monitoring experience is an asset

• Experience in refugee and humanitarian setting

• Working knowledge of children’s Rights, Child protection, Inclusion and Gender

• Willing to travel in to all the project locations

• Ability to work independently with little supervision

• Details oriented and strategic thinker

• Highly organized and demonstrate professional integrity and interpersonal skills

• Good command of spoken and written English. Fluency in Somali Language is an asset.

• Good computer skills (Office), Microsoft office, Excel, Word. 

• Experience of Engineering Software (AutoCAD and ArchiCAD/ Revit, EPANET)

• Technical reporting writing and graphic presentation skill

• Ability to communicate in simple, clear, and concise language 

How to Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the below IRC On-line recruitment website: 

External

https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/31416?c=rescue

Internal

https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/2/home/requisition/31416?c=rescue

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information.

• Name of the position you have applied for

• Date of application

• Summary of  your qualifications and experience

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees. 

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.