Engineer – Kitgum – Mercy Corps

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps has been operating in Uganda since 2006 and works to catalyze change makers within the private sector, civil society and government to create economically dynamic, healthy and secure communities. Our works focus on building resilience and enable economic growth, improve opportunities to attain better health and nutrition, and improved governance and conflict management. We implement programs in the districts of Pader, Kitgum, Gulu, Agago, and Lamwo in Acholi and the whole of Karamoja as well as eastern Uganda with funding from USAID, USDA, Walmart Foundation, SDC, DFID as well as other private donations. Mercy Corps’ programs in Acholi Sub-region currently focus on economic and market development, agriculture, financial services, and women’s empowerment.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The primary focus of the Engineer is to provide support to the USDA-funded Revitalizing Agricultural Incomes and New Markets (RAIN) program that is building four vented drifts in the districts of Lamwo, Agago and Pader. The locations have been identified and designs are underway. The Engineer will support the implementation of vented drift construction activities. The Engineer will ensure quality construction through rigorous field visits and supervision. S/he will have direct responsibility for overseeing multiple vented drifts concurrently. S/he will establish/strengthen good working relationships with all necessary partners including district and sub-county officials, the Contractors, and others. Construction fraud is a serious concern in Uganda, and the Engineer will ensure that potential fraud is quickly identified and all possible precautionary measures are in place to prevent fraud. ;
The ability of the Engineer to ensure the implementation of quality and on-schedule infrastructures will be one of the position’s three success factors. The second will be the degree to which that person monitors, documents and reports the status of construction projects. The third success factor will be the degree to which that person drives results, making critical decisions and producing scheduled outputs at deadline and to expected quality.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program
• Produce quality BoQ and plans for any future infrastructure projects;
• Responsible for the daily implementation of engineering related project activities and monitor progress at assigned work sites including construction management and monitoring contractors performance and progress;
• Responsible for design and follow up of RAIN infrastructure activities;
• Supervise and manage contractors to ensure reasonable value for money including preparation of work progress reports and payment certification;
• Develop detailed action plans for project implementation – including all technical specifications for project implementation in collaboration with the concerned staff;
• Mobilize community to fully participate in the project implementation for sustainability, and participate in community construction management committee meetings.
• Supervise and be responsible for all technical aspects of project implementation, ensure they are completed in a timely, efficient and accurate manner according to standard engineering methods.
• Conduct regular field visits to oversee and supervise construction of roads and other infrastructures as needed;
• Report the status of all active construction projects on a weekly basis;
• Ensure that environmental aspect of project sites are well incorporated during construction and post construction phase, and that environmental mitigation plans are followed;
• Ensure an integrated approach to program implementation in order to maximize resource utilization and synergy between the staff and different MC programs, if any;

Partnership Management:
• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with sub-county and district leaders and UNRA, UWA and district engineering office, soliciting their participation in all activities where appropriate

Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Create a dynamic program environment that promotes inquiry;
• Take primary responsibility for data gathering in engineering related works;
• Provide data in support of team submission of timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation.

Other:
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;
• Other duties as assigned by the line manager.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
University degree in Civil or Construction Engineering and at least 5 years of professional relevant experience.
Willingness to work in and frequently travel to the field.
Ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people and monitor contractors.
Skills in networking, team work, and community consultations essential.
Good reporting, communication and representation skills.
Good computer skills including fluency with MS Office Suit
Good spoken and written English. Fluency in Luo/Acholi is an advantage.

HOW TO APPLY:
Applications: Submit your E-mailed application including a cover letter clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates through the Human Resource Manager to mcjobs@ug.mercycorps.org
Deadline for Submission: Close of business on Wednesday December 30, 2015 Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer; female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.