Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
The Program / Department / Team
Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, academic institutions, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR), and in Dire Dawa Administration and the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.
Mercy Corps is implementing a five year, USAID funded Resilience in Pastoral Areas (RIPA-North) program in Ethiopia focused on: supporting to improve the disaster and risk management system; stimulating increased production, productivity and marketing through more competitive livestock and livestock products markets; increasing communities’ resilience; improving alternative livelihood options through essential skills transfer; improving food security and nutrition, and contributing to the wider knowledge on pastoral development. The program operates in Afar, Somali and Oromia regions.
The RIPA-North program incorporates a Crisis Modifier component, designed to enable the program to adapt its strategy dynamically in order to address urgent humanitarian needs without compromising long-term development and resilience goals. As part of this focus, Mercy Corps is set to launch a Crisis Modifier specifically aimed at enhancing water resilience in Ethiopia's Shabelle Zone. This specialized program, termed the 'Water Security Crisis Modifier,' is structured around four key pillars: 1) Establishing new, drought-resistant water sources by means of river offtake, treatment, or deep boreholes; 2) Advancing innovative natural resource management techniques to optimize water usage in rangelands and other sectors; 3) Advocating for the professionalization and privatization of water service management; and 4) Expanding access to water for various productive applications.
The Position
The Infrastructure Engineer Specialist is responsible for leading the planning, design, and implementation of all water infrastructure development on RIPA’s Water Security Crisis Modifier, with a particular focus on the planned river water offtake and treatment and/or deep boreholes. This will include providing technical recommendations for expansion or modification of existing water infrastructure within the target zone. The Infrastructure Engineer Specialist is responsible for managing all consultancy activities related to infrastructure/construction and developing the technical capacity of government and other program partners, ensuring the effective and efficient use of the program resources and ensure agreed objectives are delivered on time. The Infrastructure Engineer Specialist will ensure adequate supervision of construction activities and take corrective measures appropriately and in line with MC and donor requirements.
Essential Responsibilities
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Lead implementation of all technical components of water infrastructure projects in full coordination with other staff members.
Lead on the development and monitoring of engineering designs and construction activities in the field.
Ensure that all minimum program/ construction management standards are met and that strong structures are in place for smooth completion of the projects.
Work closely with the technical team to develop timely and realistic plans.
Conduct frequent site visits to provide construction management supervision including oversight of work onsite, materials testing, report development, verification of quantities,
Review interim payment certificate from contractors prior to payment request submission.
Prepare budget forecast, projection, and expenditure reports as well as analysis of any risk of overspending anticipated.
Lead on the contract management related to all construction activities and provide advice to the supervision team and consultant.
Manage tender processes with MC Ethiopia procurement team, including reviewing technical documentation, initiating procurement requests, and providing additional inputs as needed.
Work closely with finance and program teams to ensure compliance to MC procedures and standardization.
Develop a full working knowledge of all water system project designs including pump stations, pipelines, water treatment plants, civil, mechanical, and electrical works, and sanitation facilities.
Assist in selection of projects, preparing design, cost estimation, preparing work plans, implementation of the infrastructure projects and conducting market assessments/price monitoring (on annual basis or as needed), ensuring that appropriate processes are in place for evaluating the feasibility of implementing infrastructure projects.
Develop and implement progress monitoring tools related to construction activities, review progress, identify delays and analyze adequacy of resources.
Provide feedback to the Monitoring and Evaluation system to assess the effectiveness of the projects and impact and propose recommendations for improvements.
Develop Quality control plan and procedures to ensure compliance with the contractual terms and conditions as well as preparing progress report and updates required.
Develop/approve guidelines on essential tests to be carried out prior to infrastructure or rehabilitation activities.
Ensure compliance to health and safety procedures, monitor, track and escalate incidents as appropriate, ensuring there is a robust system of flash reporting that the team adheres to.
Ensure full adherence to the MC security plans and protocols conscientiously respecting the declared 'go' and 'no-go' zones.
Work with the Water Security Team Lead, Mercy Corps headquarters infrastructure team, Mercy Corps Crisis Response Start-up Advisor, and Mercy Corps Water Security Manager based in Gode to coordinate and communicate with local authorities, program third party monitoring consulting firm, donor, and other implementing partners to avoid overlapping and obtain all necessary no objection certifications.
Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its operations in the field.
Prepare/review/approve site visit and quality check reports and contribute to overall program reporting to the donor and the government.
Working closely with Mercy Corps Ethics Team to support them to conduct spot checks to ensure infrastructure projects are as per technical documents and donor guidelines are followed.
Lead QA/QC process ensuring all technical reviews are conducted according to best practices.
Other duties assigned by supervisor.TEAM MANAGEMENT
Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
Ensure adherence to Mercy Corps and donor systems for ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resource.GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION (GEDSI)
Adherence of gender minimum standards.
Allocate budget for GESI related activities and staff capacity building on GEDSI.
Ensure GESI issues are properly reflected during program management.
Support the organization’s commitment to age and gender inclusive team building process.
Promote an inclusive and equitable workplace culture.
Support Staff Capacity Building on Increase staff knowledge of GEDSI.
Coordinate with GEDSI Technical Team Improve gender-responsiveness of program /Project MEAL system.
Increased commitment to Gender Equality Diversity and Social Inclusion.Supervisory Responsibility
Direct supervisory responsibility for Infrastructure and construction consultants and contractors
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Water Security Team Lead
Works Directly With: Water engineer team members based in Shabelle Zone, Mercy Corps global water and infrastructure experts
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills
BSc, or master’s degree, in civil engineering (or related field) with significant knowledge and experience in the design and construction of large-scale water and sanitation facilities
At least 8 years of experience in design and construction of various urban water supply infrastructure projects, including water treatment, and feacal sludge management facilities projects and work in urban environments.
Experience in Managing FIDIC contract with successful records preferred.
Strong organizational and communication skills
Ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel and to be a neutral party with people of different perspectives and backgrounds.
Experience in managing contracts with engineering design consultants, and construction firms.
Experience in reviewing tenders and developing recommendations for award.
Strong construction management experience including ability to review contractor work plans, budgets, and work progress.
Demonstrated ability to multi-task and process information into action to not delay program activities.
Strong ability and demonstrated experience in mentoring and building high performing engineering teams.
Knowledge and experience of USAID funded projects is a plus.
Prior experience working for/with INGOs is a plus.Success Factors
A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will have proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, with an ability and willingness to remain mobile for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs. An ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.
Security
Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This is an accompanied position and housing is available in family accommodation with good freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are several international schools in the city and staff have access to basic services (electricity, water, sporadic internet, etc). Medical facilities are basic with international clinics able to provide emergency services. This position requires up to 50% travel by road and air to field offices in often insecure environments. Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.