The Infrastructure Development Officer is responsible for providing technical assistance and operational support on area of rural infrastructure development specially on suspension bridges and foot trail networks for the successful implementation of the Project. S/he will provide capacity development and technical support on area of trail bridge and trial improvement design, construction, operation and maintenance for staff, government, private actors, and community; and will closely work with regional road bureau and universities on area of inclusion of trail bridge in education curriculum, government plan and financing and web-based data management system.

Duties and Responsibilities

Capacity Development and Technical support to key stakeholders 

• Coordinates Trailbridge need assessment to provide government partners and other stakeholders with the information they need to prioritize rural access in plans and budgets in collaboration with partnership and capacity development officer

• Promotes inclusion of trail bridge and trail improvement in government development plan

• Closely works with universities for design improvement, innovation and inclusion of trail bridge technology in education curriculum

• Advises and supports on the design, BoQ, and other specifications of trail bridge and trail improvement in accordance with the design requirements, the partner’s internal rules, as well as regulations and policies, including applicable design manuals.

• Supports government partners in all rural transport infrastructure engineering and related activities, including project design, preparation implementation and supervision, and co-ordination with other stakeholders as well as other donors and development partners.

• Provides inputs in the review of tender preparation and evaluation reports and supports the evaluation of technical and financial proposals for contracts relating to project implementation.

• Develops capacity of the local teams, including regional, Zonal and Woreda level government stakeholders as well as project teams, working on the RTI planning, design and implementation.

• Collaborates with government technical teams in reviewing the operations performance of consultants and contractors, preparing completion reports, etc., so as to ensure that the lessons drawn from the implementation of past operations are taken into account in new project sites.

• Supports and advises the government technical team to ensure quality and compliance with standards set by Ethiopian Road Authority/ERA.

• Undertakes analytical work and provides technical guidance in the area of rural transport infrastructure focusing on and advice on how to ensure sustainability of benefits of trail bridges and foot trail networks

Project Implementation 

• Develops realistic work plan for all engineering related aspect of the project in collaboration with project staff and partners

• Ensures implementation of the project proceed according to approved work plan and correction are taken timely

• Supports the management of works, in accordance with its rules, regulations and procedures, including its works contracts, as well as in the completion of the project in accordance with the deadlines.

• Supports procurement in accordance with procurement and construction strategies, rules, regulations and policies.

• Works harmoniously with rural communities, local government partners and other EETCRE team members to ensure projects are being delivered timely and effectively.

• Supports the project team and government technical personnel to oversee and manage the construction of trail bridges and foot trail networks.

Quality assurance and Knowledge management 

• Actively participates in designs and check designs of suspended and suspension bridges independently and design safety lines for suspension and suspended bridges

• Supports the assessment of prospective bridge sites for technical approval (process survey, evaluate aerial imagery, preliminary design alternatives)

• Identifies and anticipates potential risks and problems in a timely manner and advises the project on the implementation of mitigation measures and solutions while defining the intermediate steps required to carry out the project.

• Continuously monitors and analyses delivery data in the dashboard system.

• Coordinates quality control of project / program documents and deliverables.

• Prepares report, case story and document lessons

• Coordinates and participates different study planned in the project

• Closely works with staff, regional government, and university for web base data management development and fictionalization.

Job Academic Qualification

• Bachelor’s Degree in in Civil Engineering, Construction Technology and Management, Public Works Engineering and related field of studies.

Work Experience

• 4 years of relevant work experience especially in the field of rural roads construction planning, budgeting, design, contract management, construction supervision and monitoring.

• Significant experience in quality control and quality assurance of suspension bridges and foot path networks.

• Good understanding of rural infrastructures in general and survey, design and execution of Trail Bridge and foot trail networks in particular.

• Good knowledge of monitoring and quality control; and capable to disseminate and transfer know-how. Good knowledge of physical progress reporting.

• Experience of working in an INGO and/or donor-funded road projects is advantageous.

Competencies and Other Requirements 

• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Competences in the use of Microsoft Office applications (MS-Project, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); knowledge of SAP is a plus.

• Understanding on issues related to local state building, gender, equity and poverty and working in conflict. Capable of working with multicultural team.

• Understanding and knowledge of the Ethiopian Road Sector Development Program, working guidelines, standards and specifications.

• 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.

• Fluent in speaking and writing the local language of the region.

Required Skills

• Communication

• GIS and Mapping

• AutoCAD or Electrical CAD

• AutoCAD or Civil 3D

How To Apply

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

Female applicants 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.