DRC: Engineer Water, Sanitation

Dec 16, 2015 | Mercy Corps
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Mercy Corps has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since August 2007, with a staff of around 200 people working in 5 locations. Mercy Corps is currently implementing an urban development program IMAGINE (Integrated Maji, infrastructure and governance initiative for East of Congo), funded by the British Department for International Development (UKAid). This program runs for the period 2014 to 2019 and aims to reach 1.55 million people and reduce the prevalence of diarrhea among children under 5 in urban areas of the eastern DRC namely Goma and Bukavu through the following four interrelated pillars: infrastructure, service provision, governance and behavior change communication. In addition to the four components of the program, there is the gender component that is integrated throughout the implementation process.

The objectives of the program are summarized for each component as follows:

Infrastructure: Improve, rehabilitate and / or expand infrastructure in order to increase the availability and access to water and sanitation 2 Services Provision: Improve the provision of water, hygiene and sanitation services with market-based approach in order to involve and stimulate market actors and create sustainable WaSH, efficient and effective services. 3 Governance: Implement good governance and accountability mechanisms structures to ensure effective interaction between the consumers or users, service providers and WaSH service regulatory authorities. 4 Behavior change (BCC): Implement a hygiene behavior change program through interventions that aims to improve essential knowledge and practices related to public health.

The infrastructure component will have as main tasks the improvement of water and sanitation infrastructure through the rehabilitation and extension of existing infrastructure and construction of new facilities in accordance with the master plans recently developed. The water infrastructure program mainly consists of rehabilitation and / or expansion of existing conventional water treatment plant, construction of new supply systems, rehabilitation and/or construction of distribution system while sanitation will be improved on the basis of a future master plan from which some sanitation service models in a priority area with a pressing need will be implemented. This may include the consideration of a heterogeneous population and several other factors in order to test the hypotheses alternatives resulting from the study/ sanitation master plan developed.

Generally, the infrastructure development will follow international competitive bidding process for recruitment of consultancy firms for feasibility studies, design and supervision and firms for construction works.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

In line with the vision, mission and core values Mercy Corps, the Senior Water and Sanitation Engineer will ensure adherence to implementation standards, effective and efficient execution of the different phases of design and construction of water and sanitation infrastructure in Bukavu. He/she will oversee the design and implementation of water and sanitation projects in areas in Bukavu targeted by the IMAGINE program.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Technical Functions

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Program Director-Infrastructure and in collaboration with other infrastructure Team members, the Senior Water and Sanitation Engineer shall:

  • Analyze/review drawings and designs submitted for Water systems and sanitation infrastructure in Bukavu, supervise construction works and ensure conformance to design specifications and required standards,
  • Organize / conduct audits of ongoing work periodically with the other government and non-government partners such as Regideso, the CPAEA, division of health, consultant and construction firms etc
  • Maintain positive and professional relationships with consultants and contractors
  • Manage and maintain accurate field notes and prepare comprehensive reports
  • Inspect materials delivered for the works
  • Ensure compliance of projects to quality, environmental, social, health and safety policies
  • Ensure that systems are tested and that approvals are secured prior to commencement of subsequent phases of works
  • Attend progress review meetings
  • Ensure that as-built drawings are submitted within the timeframe stipulated in the contract and in the right format
  • Together with the technical team in Goma, maintain an up-to date database for monitoring progress of activities and keeping record of issues, risks, mitigation measures implemented, residual risks etc and constantly report to the supervisor
  • Assist the deputy program Director - Infrastructure with verification of interim payment certificates submitted by the firms
  • Ensure compliance with logical sequence of activities during the implementation of the work and recommend for approval and payment of all completed activities in line with guidelines and procedures established by the program.
  • Document technical challenges and problems / issues encountered and report to the supervisor.
  • Propose and report on any required technical modifications to the works being undertaken that may result from any unforeseen constraints
  • Participate actively in development of designs and make recommendations for modifications where necessary to ensure proper functioning of the system
  • Ensure integration of other components in design and works such as special consideration of persons with disabilities, gender etc

Stakeholder management

  • Work closely with project partners in Bukavu such as local authorities, the beneficiary communities, NGOs working in the water and sanitation sector to ensure the achievement of the strategic objectives of the program. In doing this, he/she must ensure that strategic communication is approved by the supervisor
  • Provide recommendations and guidance to the firms undertaking the works as part of quality assurance
  • Conduct assessments of proposed sites and work together with Local authorities in securing sites for works, guide the firms engaged for the works and report on progress to the supervisor
  • Regularly check the degree of involvement of beneficiaries in the implementation of the project (design, execution of works)

Program Management

  • Anticipate and report on and manage changes that will directly affect the progress of work
  • Identify, report on and manage risks associated with the works and ensure that the mitigation plans are effectively implemented
  • Review designs, reports and documents submitted for the works in a timely manner
  • Ensure that all project activities are being implemented in line with the budgets codes
  • Ensure integration of the infrastructure works component with other components of the program
  • Ensure management of administrative, logistical and financial field activities carried out by the technical teams

Team Management

  • He/she will ensure close collaboration in the technical team in Bukavu and shall also collaborate with the technical team in Goma and other program components
  • In coordination with the supervisor, conduct performance reviews of the technical team in Bukavu, in accordance with the procedures of the performance management implemented by HR Mercy Corps

Report Submission

  • Report regularly to the supervisor on the progress of all design/construction activities, challenges encountered, risks etc with suggestions on recommendations for improvement
  • Maintain regular information exchange with the other members of the infrastructure team on the progress of work.
  • Prepare weekly and monthly reports on progress of activities and submit to the supervisor
  • Ensure the proper record keeping of documents like contract specifications, reports, technical drawings, correspondences etc

Other responsibilities

  • Participate in important and relevant stakeholder meetings such as WaSH cluster meetings and update the infrastructure team.
  • Participate in the recruitment of technical staffs (junior water engineer) required for the day to day supervision of work in Bukavu.
  • Occasional/ upon request follow up of other IMAGINE component activities in Bukavu
  • Perform any other relevant tasks assigned from time to time by management
  • Pay attention to security related issues that may affect the works and report this to the supervisor

Accountability:

  • Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Organizational Learning:

  • As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITIES: Junior Water Engineer - Bukavu and Sanitation Engineer

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Deputy Program Director -Infrastructure

WORK DIRECTLY WITH: Infrastructure Delivery Manager and the Contracts Manager

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

  • Degree in Civil Engineering, hydraulics, water Engineering, sanitation engineering or other similar disciplines,
  • 7-10 years' experience in design and construction management of water and sanitation infrastructure projects. Additional experience working in maintenance of or projects related to large water treatment works is a plus
  • Experience in design of water and sanitation systems both sewer and onsite sanitation facilities
  • Experience or understanding of design-build project delivery method
  • Experience with standard construction testing methods and documentation as it relates to urban scale water and sanitation facilities
  • Previous experience in Africa, DRC or other developing country context;
  • Demonstrated delivery capability, working within procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required.
  • Have excellent analytical and organizational skills, self-control
  • Good knowledge of computer packages for design (specifically technical software such as: Autocad, Epanet, WaterCAD, SEWERCAD, Software of Geographical Information System (GIS), and other Excel, Word and PowerPoint)
  • Knowledge of English and French

Desirable experience:

  • Knowledge cities of Goma and Bukavu and the surrounding area
  • Experience in projects related to faecal sludge management
  • Mastery of gender mainstreaming and protection,
  • Experiences with Humanitarian NGOs
  • Knowledge of FIDIC forms of contracting

SUCCESS FACTORS

The Senior Water and Sanitation Engineer will recognize that the ability of Mercy corps to achieve planned goals depends on the quality of service that will be provided in the infrastructure works. This is directly related to the capacity of the candidate chosen, which will include a combination of leadership, communication, critical thinking and decision making skills in a multicultural environment. He/she should be ready to work with several partners and local authorities in a professional and respectful manner. In DRC, patience, diplomacy, tenacity, compassion, determination and a sense of humor are all success factors

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position is an un-accompanied post based in Bukavu (DRC). Travel to field sites Goma will be required where living conditions are clean and secure, but basic.

Living in Bukavu is comfortable, although water can be unstable. Outside Bukavu, travel can be dangerous and unpredictable due to armed forces and rebel activity.

While conditions in the country are improving, and security is quite stable in Bukavu, there are still pockets of violence and insecurity. Mercy Corps' sub-offices experience variable levels of insecurity, with the situation closely monitored by UN peacekeepers. Air travel is necessary to get from one end of the country to the other. Mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices. There are a number of health services available with evacuation options for serious illnesses. There's reasonable access to most consumer goods, although they can be expensive.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.