Danish Refugee Council: Construction Officer
Employment at Danish Refugee Council as Construction Officer
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. Using a protection of human rights framework, DRC has mainly focused on Somalis who are displaced by conflict. Programmes include protection, livelihoods, food and NFI distribution, water and sanitation, and advocacy amongst others.
There are 4 main programme offices in Somali region, one in Yemen, one in Kenya and one regional office in Nairobi. There are also non operational region wide initiatives, focusing on advocacy and capacity building, which are supported from the Nairobi regional office. Currently there is over 150 DRC staff in the region. The last 2 years have seen some growth in programme size, but primarily there has been a growth in the number of support and management functions demanded and required by the programme offices, in order to maintain quality and accountability.
The Construction Officer is needed to ensure proper implementation of construction activities across all DRC intervention areas. Activities include facility design, creation of BoQs, facilitating call for bids and bid analysis, selection of appropriate construction companies, monitoring and evaluation of all construction works, facilitating payment for contractors, and ensuring all previously constructed facilities are maintained and properly functioning.
Construction activities include but are not limited to design and construction of SGBV safe spaces and safe havens, DRC field offices, storage facilities, rehabilitation of existing structures, and installation of water catchment devices.
Responsibilities for the Construction Officer Job
- Staff accommodation blocks (depending on funding, 1 or more)
- Maintain accepted Infrastructural standards for the sector and ensure that project staff, partner agencies and recipient communities understand, accept and adhere to these standards.
- Ensure that various technical Templates (including bill of quantities, bill of materials and reporting formats) are in line with the Regional Infrastructure Manual (2016) and are well used.
- Review of the technical specifications, engineering designs and work schedules to ensure consistency with the most appropriate technology and existing ministry /sector standards.
- Assist the DRC logistics unit with the technical evaluation of the bids for those works
- Supervise the construction of the facilities on a day-to-day basis
- Conduct final inspections and recommend payments to contractors based on measured works
- Take into consideration the following aspects: Fire breaks, drainage systems, Sphere standards, accessibility, and environmental concerns
- Ensure the Quality Control of the implemented activities.
- Ensure maintenance of existing DRC facilities; assist the Support Office with ensuring repairs and routine maintenance is conducted on all DRC facilities
- Provide technical support for possible environmental engineering projects such as check dams and water pans
- Carry-out technical assessments
- Monitor and certify progress of works according to work schedules indicated in contracts, verify completion rates in order to release milestone payments to contractors
- Follow up of budget and costs for all assigned projects
- Regular reporting to Area Manager by copying RIC (Regional Infrastructure Manager) as per agreed format (monthly, quarterly, and yearly)
- Participate in relevant meetings
- Perform other related tasks as instructed by DRC Area Manager
Construction Officer Job Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Architecture, Civil, Environmental, or Structural Engineering, or in Building and Construction
- Minimum 5 years working experience in the field of building and construction; experience must include design, BoQ creation, call for bids, bid analysis, contractor selection, monitoring of all day-to-day construction activities, facilitating payment to contractors, and evaluation through defects and liability period
- Demonstrated understanding of engineering, architectural, and other construction drawings
- Demonstrated understanding of building methods and elements of a construction project
- Demonstrated understanding of AutoCad software
- Decisive individual, works well under pressure, particularly when faced with unexpected events or delays
- Must have good interpersonal skills and personal integrity
- Possess good analytical, writing, and communication skills in English
- Ability to work in an economically unstable and geographically harsh environment
- Although not required, candidates with previous NGO experience in a refugee setting have an advantage
DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html). All DRC staff must be committed to the Red Cross Code of Conduct, as well as the Core Humanitarian Standards.
This position is field based and a non-family duty station. Kakuma lies at security phase 3.
Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications which should include a 1-page cover letter clearly stating their motivation and qualifications and a CV.
Applications should include contact details of three professional referees who have supervised the candidate in the last five years. One referee must be the applicant’s most recent manager. Only applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.
We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. Applications should be sent no later than: 26th January, 2017.
If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk
Danish Refugee Council does not charge any kind of fee at any stage of the recruitment process nor does it use recruitment agents