Infrastructure Officer

Reports to: Infrastructure Team Leader

Location:  Shire

Start of Contract & Duration: 12 months with possibility of extension (Subject to fund availability)

Posting date: February 16, 2016

INTRODUCTION

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1956 that works in more than 30 countries throughout the world, including Ethiopia. DRC fulfills its mandate by providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations, including refugees, internally displaced people and host communities. Under its mandate, the organization focuses on emergency humanitarian response, rehabilitation and post-conflict recovery.

DRC commenced work in Ethiopia in 2009 and currently provides expertise in shelter, WASH, livelihoods and protection in the Gambella and Somali regions of the country. Activities implemented by DRC are funded by money raised from the Danish public and by project grants from the Danish government and other bilateral and multi-lateral donors.

DRC is in the process of starting a new program in Tigray regional state, where the organization anticipates implementing a variety of youth protection activities in Hitsats, Shimelba, Mai-Aini and Adharush refugee camps, which are currently hosting a combined population of over 30,000 Eritrean refugees.

POSITION’S OVERALL OBJECTIVES

Working under the direct management of the Infrastructure Team Leader, the Infrastructure Officer will support the overall implementation and strategic direction of the organization’s current and future infrastructure activities in Tigray regional state. The Infrastructure Officer may be tasked with the direct supervisor of assistant, foremen or laborers. Furthermore, the Infrastructure Officer may be requested to provide support and guidance to project cycle management, proposal development and program strategy, with specific contributions in the area of technical infrastructure knowledge. The Infrastructure Officer will work with the Infrastructure Team Leader will ensure the successful implementation of all infrastructure-related activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

To achieve the overall and specific objectives of the position, the Infrastructure Officer, in coordination with the Infrastructure Team leader will perform the following tasks and undertake the following responsibilities:

1. Technical Support:

• Support the setup of the Shire infrastructure department, ensuring full compliance with DRC systems and strong organization. Initial responsibilities may also include overseeing upfront needs assessments, the identification of construction sites in coordination with ARRA and UNHCR representatives and researching building and construction regulations.


• Collaborate closely with the Infrastructure Team Leader to develop relevant and responsive infrastructure activities that are highly participatory and not only provide the targeted refugee populations with facilities, but also engage them actively in learning, capacity building and incentive work opportunities. This will require collaboration with DRC protection staff and a keen interest in learning and integrating protection considerations into all infrastructure activities.


• Assist the Infrastructure Team Leader to ensure high quality day-to-day technical management and quality assurance of all infrastructure activities. Key to this responsibility is a commitment to ensuring all infrastructure directly constructed by DRC or contracted by DRC is functional, effective and safe.


• Collaborate with the Infrastructure Team Leader and logistics and procurement department in developing Bills of Quantity and translating them into comprehensive procurement plans and order requests. Upon receipt of goods and services, the Officer will collaborate with the logistics and procurement teams in the receipt of goods and services and will lead in quality assurance.


• Work with both program and support staff to ensure quarterly procurement plans for all infrastructure activities are developed, detailed description of needs are documented and that accurate estimates of procurement timeframes are generated and agreed upon.


• Together with the logistics and procurement team, participate in designing market surveys of goods and services relevant to infrastructure activities.


• In collaboration with the logistics and procurement department, ensure all of DRC’s facilities in camp settings, including office, educational and communal facilities, are well maintained, safe and secure.

 2. General Management and Support:

•  Manage all Infrastructure Assistants, foremen or laborers, supporting respectful and positive working relationships which allow for the effective implementation of all DRC infrastructure activities. This is to be achieved through leadership, team building, day-to-day support and capacity-building.


• Undertake daily supervisory, monitoring and support visits to sub-offices and project locations.

3. Reporting:

• Under the direction of the Infrastructure Team leader, support local level reporting for both internal and donor purposes on all infrastructure related activities. This will include providing weekly reports to the Monitoring, Evaluation and Documentation Officer.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree in engineering, architecture, construction sciences or other relevant field from a recognized institution.


• Minimum 4 years of experience in an entry to mid to level position, preferably with experience in the NGO field.


• Commitment to learning and implementing organizational policies and procedures.


• Full proficiency in Microsoft Office.


• Excellent verbal and written proficiency in Tigrinya, Amharic and English.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Strong planning, organization and problem solving skills with ability to work both independently and within a team in a demanding work environment.


• Excellent personnel management skills, including diplomacy, tact and negotiating skills.


• Integrity, strong work ethic, and ability to consistently meet deadlines under pressure.


• Experience collaborating in protection, gender and human rights related activities.


• Experience working with youth and young people and in community mobilizations and participatory approaches.


• Experience living and working in cross-cultural and remote environments.

Closing date: Feb 28, 2016

Interested candidates should send a CV and cover letter in English addressed to the DRC Hiring Committee at only through vacancies@drcethiopia.org, with the subject “Infrastructure Officer”.

The applicant’s cover letter should state the reasons for applying for this particular position and not be generic. The cover letter should also include the applicant’s salary requirements. Please do not send additional materials other than a CV and cover letter, they will not be reviewed.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis before the deadline, and interviews will be held as suitable candidates present themselves. Deadline for applications is 28 February 2015.

DRC highly encourages qualified female candidates to apply.