Shelter Engineer at Peace Winds Japan

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Area Manager, the Shelter Engineer will play a key role to ensure that construction projects are well planned, implemented, supervised, monitored and evaluated according to technical standards and PWJ policies. The successful candidate must have managerial and technical ability to support a specialist team in emergency and/or protracted situations. Lastly the engineer should have previous similar job experience in the humanitarian settlement planning / infrastructure field, knowledge of technical drawing software, GIS tools and an ability to produce technical plans, undertake spatial analysis, site assessments and conduct training.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, develop engineer’s cost estimate, prepare tender document packages as well as ensure cost-effectiveness and technologically sound design. In case of direct implementation, design and supervise construction activities undertaken by PWJ.
• When planning shelter works, ensuring that the technical component reflects donor’s minimum standards for the provision of emergency and other types of shelter assistance and is within the budgetary requirements. Due consideration should be given to standards in other relevant sectors such as water and sanitation
• Ensure that the shelter strategy is taking into consideration the local context, culture, climate, environment, protection, and usage of local resources including sustainable building materials.
• Ensuring that specifications, bills of quantities and drawings for community shelter projects, other infrastructure and construction projects are produced in a technically sound and standardized manner.
• Establish monitoring and evaluation tools to ensure that works are implemented according to plans and completed within the designated timeframe
• Assist in provision of technical guidance and supervision in compound maintenance and site construction activities. This includes making recommendations on the procurement of the required building materials, equipment and tools to ensure timely implementation.
• Assist in provision of technical guidance and supervision taking into account technical standards (Sphere/National) and UNHCR’s protection mandate and policy priorities, such as the environment, women and children, groups with specific needs etc.
• Assist the Area manager in the areas of compound maintenance, buildings, alterations and to provide regular technical report to the supervisor and to other colleagues as appropriate.
• Undertake site planning visits as required and provide clear guidance on standards for settlements and shelter, including minimum emergency standards to meet basic and essential needs as well as guidance for durable shelter solutions.
• Ensure that local communities have been consulted on all activities so as not to create unnecessary tension between the displaced and host populations.
• When identifying beneficiaries, ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable population of concern (POC) and host families are addressed. UNHCR’s vulnerability indicators should be applied in a participatory manner during the beneficiary selection.
• Close and regular contact with technical and non-technical staff of donor, Protection Partners and DRS to discuss matters relating to shelter and infrastructure coordination and provision.
• Develop adequate reports and share information with Management, stakeholders and with other sectors.
• Undertake any other responsibilities/ functions deemed necessary or as requested by supervisor.

General Employees’ Obligations and Responsibilities

• The Employer stipulates the right to assign the Employee any other kind of work derived from his/her specialization. In case of urgent work and such like the Employee may be asked to work overtime as well as during public and other holidays.
• Deliver project objectives within time, resource and budget constraints.
• Correctness and completeness of given tasks.
• The Employee takes over the responsibility for all entrusted material or cash. The Employee is obligated to cover all damages or losses caused by his carelessness.
• Maintain confidentiality of all information gained from employment within, not publicly.
• Representing and upholding the values, policies and procedures of PWJ at all times.
• Your schedule is subject to change at any time according to the organization needs.
• Behave in a professional manner at all the times with the understanding that the public associates your behavior with PWJ. This includes your driver habits.

Qualifications & Professional Experience

• 6 years’ relevant experience with Undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering/ Structural/ Architectural Engineering with additional training/ experience in physical planning. 10 years’ experience for diploma holders.
• Proficient in basic computer software’s, including engineering (CAD), ARCGis and site planning design tools

Other knowledge, additional competences

• Ability to communicate well in English and prepare technical reports.
• Ability to work in a team under intense emergency condition while respecting the cultural diversity
• Ability to work for long hours, and has extensive knowledge of Camp terrain and routing patterns.
• Reliable, honest and has good organizational skills.
• Commitment to and understanding of PWJ Vision, Mission and Values.

Language Skills

• English: Professional fluency.
• Kiswahili: Native/Advanced.