Infrastructure Engineer at DAI Kenya - Development Alternatives, Inc.

Purpose

• The Infrastructure Engineer will support the Infrastructure Manager in overseeing construction activities in the designated region. This will include, but not limited to, the management of small-scale construction and rehabilitation development projects during the design and implementation phase in liaison with Architecture & Engineering (A&E) firms and construction contractors. He/She will work closely with the Infrastructure Manager in developing the Construction Implementation Plan. He/She will participate in all planning and construction meetings with the A&E and construction contractors. He/She will review construction documentation, maintain records, conduct construction inspections, and assist in handing over completed projects to stakeholders upon conclusion. He/She will also support the infrastructure manager in evaluating the potential environmental impact of any construction projects and work with the team to develop mitigation measures in accordance with USAID regulations.

Summary of Primary Duties

The Infrastructure Engineer will support the Infrastructure Manager in all Objective 2 activities that further the sustainability of water service delivery in the nine target counties, including oversight of construction activities. The Infrastructure Engineer, in liaison with the Infrastructure Manager, will be required to manage the infrastructure activity planning, implementation, and monitoring as it relates to construction activities in the designated region. He/She will ensure compliance with USAID’s regulations, provide strict quality control, and ensure adherence to environmental, health and safety standards. STAWI construction activities may apply to, but are not limited to;

• Solar Equipping of Boreholes including camera inspection, flushing and test pumping of boreholes
• Construction/installation of elevated steel tanks of different capacities
• Pipeline augmentations, pipeline appurtenances, Valve chambers, construction of ground level masonry water storage tanks, installation plastic tanks and related water works
• Construction/rehabilitation of pump houses and water kiosks
• Rehabilitation of water pans
• Construction/rehabilitation of sand dams and subsurface dams
• Construction/rehabilitation of livestock troughs
• Construction/rehabilitation of irrigation schemes including lining of canals
• Installation/rehabilitation of drip irrigation schemes
• The Infrastructure Engineer will support the Infrastructure Manager to integrate short-term technical advisors from subcontractors. He/She is expected to provide on-demand short term expertise in the use of rural water service delivery models, use of data for improved water service operations, and use of management information systems. He/She will ensure that strategic small-scale infrastructure investments are linked to identified needs, designed in an inclusive manner, and executed in accordance with the highest engineering standards and the project’s Construction Implementation Plan (CIP). He/She will conduct initial scoping and needs assessments in the nine target counties. This criteria will then be used to identify specific infrastructure activities where STAWI programming would have the greatest potential to provide sustainable and equitable impact. He/She will support the infrastructure Manager in reviewing designs and ensure that all construction activities are completed according to specifications and in compliance with GOK codes and USAID rules and regulations. He/she will support the infrastructure manager in ensuring that all infrastructure activities are completed according to specifications and support sustainable service delivery activities, including the inspection of completed projects, training, and handover to beneficiaries.

Essential Duties

• In Liaison with the Infrastructure Manager support the selection and design of small-scale construction projects for water and irrigation to ensure quality and value add county government, WSPs and beneficiaries.
• Provide quality assurance and quality control for the design and construction of infrastructure in compliance with USAID and Government of Kenya environmental and construction codes, reporting, and management requirements and DAI policies.
• Ensure collaboration and use of participatory approaches with communities and county officials.
• Ensure compliance with environmental and climate resilience requirements, ensuring that all infrastructure meets quality standards.
• In liaison with the infrastructure manager, develop detailed SOWs, RFPs, RFQs, or BOQs and provide appropriate inputs on specifications, deliverables, and contract evaluation criteria.
• Support review and advise on contract change (variation) orders as needed.
• Participating and keep records of site progress meetings.
• Support the infrastructure manager to confirm proper operational status prior to commissioning, and operators have the capacity and tools to operate infrastructure.
• Assist with the review of construction design documents to ensure they are of high quality and within the context of scope, schedule, and budget.
• Ensure inclusion of women, youth, and disadvantaged groups both as beneficiaries and as contributors to the construction projects.
• Monitor and ensure environmental mitigation activities following the Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring (EMMP)
• Contribute to and participate in STAWI activity planning, reporting, events, and learning activities.
• Understand DAI and USAID rules, regulations, processes, and systems for compliant project implementation.
• Ensure safeguarding of construction staff and a strict zero tolerance policy towards corruption and unethical behavior
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• Travel to the field as required to oversee and manage construction activities effectively.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of engineering (civil, structural, water, environmental) is required. An advanced degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience, with substantial experience in community participation, institutional development, design, construction, or construction management and oversight.
• Proven experience working with contractors and consulting firms.
• Experience working on USAID construction projects and knowledge of USAID policies, strategies, and regulation is preferred.
• Familiarity with water and irrigation small-scale construction projects involving climate resilient infrastructure and renewable energy.
• Proven experience in the complete construction project life cycle, including contract award, defects liability periods, project completion, and handover.
• Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, power point and proficiency in knowledge & application of AutoCAD and other related CADs
• Registration with an engineering regulatory body i.e EBK and or KETRB
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Experience working in Isiolo or Makueni county is highly desired.
• EXPERIENCE WORKING IN THE ASAL REGION IS HIGHLY DESIRED.