Infrastructure Team Leader

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

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 Shire-based Area Manager, the Infrastructure Team Leader will be responsible for the overall implementation and strategic direction of the organization’s current and future infrastructure activities in Tigray regional state. The Infrastructure Team Leader will be the direct supervisor of program staff in the infrastructure and shelter sector and will regularly collaborate with other program staff to ensure protection concerns are taken into account in all infrastructure activities. Furthermore, the Infrastructure Team Leader will be required to provide regular support and guidance to project cycle management, proposal development and program strategy, with specific contributions in the area of technical infrastructure knowledge. The Infrastructure Team Leader will ensure the successful implementation of all infrastructure-related activities and will work collaboratively with the Area Manager and Deputy Area Manager to monitor the operating context to ensure DRC’s infrastructure programing is relevant and responsive to priority humanitarian needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS 

To achieve the overall and specific objectives of the position, the Infrastructure Team Leader, in coordination with the Area Manager and Deputy Area Manager will perform the following tasks and undertake the following responsibilities:

1. Technical Support:

• Lead the setup of the Shire infrastructure department, ensuring the team is fully compliant with DRC systems and is well organized and maintained. Initial responsibilities will also include overseeing upfront needs assessments, the identification of construction sites in coordination with ARRA and UNHCR representatives, researching building and construction regulations and potential contractors, and developing architectural designs


• Collaborate closely with the Area Manager 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.


• Ensure high quality day-to-day technical management and quality assurance of all infrastructure activities to ensure strict compliance with DRC’s and donor policies and procedures, as well as construction rules and regulations as dictated by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. 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 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 Team Leader will collaborate with the logistics and procurement teams in the receipt of goods and services and will lead in quality assurance. As part of the procurement process, the Team Leader may also be requested by the Area Manager to participate in tendering processes, procurement committee meetings and in the review of bid analyses, as well as working with the logistics and procurement teams to arrange storage and warehousing.


• 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.


• Collaborate closely with the Shire based finance and administration and logistics and procurement departments to ensure payments are made upon successful receipt of procured items. This will require that all relevant documents are forwarded to respective departments in due time with clear specification, financial codes and appropriate authorization.


• 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.


• Become well versed in all applicable local and federal laws and regulations relevant to infrastructure and construction matters, and interact with relevant local authorities accordingly when tasked by the Area Manager.

 2. General Management and Support:

• Manage all infrastructure staff who are hired, 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.


• Assume budget holder responsibilities, including the development of infrastructure related budgets for new projects, detailed tracking of infrastructure related spending and participation in monthly budget versus actual meetings.


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


• Identify training and capacity building opportunities for infrastructure staff and ensure they are well versed in DRC’s code of conduct, accountability, respectful dialogue with the refugee population, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.


• Collaborating with the Area Manager, Deputy Area Manager and Finance and Human Resource department to ensure objectives are set and that evaluations and performance reviews are conducted on a regular basis for all infrastructure staff.

3. Reporting:

• Under the direction of the Area Manager, lead 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 and developing internal reporting formats for easy use by the infrastructure team.

QUALIFICATIONS

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


• Minimum 4 to 6 years of management experience at a mid to senior level, 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

• Proven ability to setup successful and compliant infrastructure, shelter or construction related systems.


• 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 Team Leader”.

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 encourage qualified female candidates to apply.