Engineer – Mercy Corps

About US:
Mercy Corps is an international non-profit organization which implements high-quality, analytical development programmes in very difficult places. Mercy Corps has been operating in Uganda since 2006. It has and continues to implement programs in Acholi and Karamoja sub regions. Mercy Corps is taking a community-led, market driven approach to address poverty and food insecurity needs through interventions that get to the root causes and contributing factors of economic vulnerability. Donors include the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Commission (EC), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC). Mercy Corps’ programs in Acholi Sub-region currently focus on economic and market development, agriculture, financial services, and women’s empowerment.

Job Summary: The main focus of the Engineer will be 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.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Program:
· Prepare and submit 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;
· Mentor, 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.
· Carry out 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;
2. 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
3. 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.
4. Other:
· Carry himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;
· Perform any other duties as assigned by the line manager.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· The applicant should hold a University degree in Civil or Construction Engineering
· A minimum of five years of professional relevant experience.
· 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.
· Willingness to work in and frequently travel to the field.

How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their E-mail applications including a cover letter clearly stating the salary requirements, updated CV (with three professional referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates to the Human Resource Manager, Kampala Head Office on 4th Floor Embassy Plaza, Plot 1188-1190 Ggaba Road. The E-mail applications with cover letter should be sent to: mcjobs@ug.mercycorps.org

Deadline: 30th December 2015