Project Engineer

Position Title    :     Project Engineer  
Position Type    :     Regular Employment -Full Time
Location           :     Mercy Corps - Gaza Office
Duration        :     Three Months (with possibility of extension)
Project        :    Improving housing conditions of vulnerable households in Gaza
Department    :    Programs / Engineering


Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action—helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. In West Bank and Gaza, Mercy Corps has been active in implementing relief and development programs for nearly a decade.  Mercy Corps ‘West Bank and Gaza’ has staff based in East Jerusalem and Gaza City offices that implement programs throughout the Palestinian territories

Project Summary

Recently, Mercy Corps received a fund award for to implement a Sheltering project titled “Improving housing conditions of vulnerable households in Gaza”. The project aims to address identified needs of acutely-vulnerable households living in substandard housing units. Particularly, the project will provide comprehensive upgrades and repairs which increases access to an adequate standard of living and creates a safer environment. The project will target vulnerable families living in overcrowded, substandard units in Gaza City. A specific vulnerability criteria have been established in order to improve housing conditions. Improvements focus on providing increased thermal comfort, protection from the effects of extreme climate during the summer and winter, promoting safety, privacy, and hygiene – all of which consider different needs for residents’ ages and genders.

Through the proposed project intervention, Mercy Corps will rehabilitate substandard housing units to meet adequate living standards. As a result, the hazards of future stresses and shocks will be reduced for vulnerable households, especially related to protection and health. The intervention will comply with the “Shelter Minimum Standards for Repairs and Upgrades” adopted by the Shelter Cluster throughout the implementation of the rehabilitation services.

Through this project, Mercy Corps will rehabilitate 40 substandard housing units in Gaza, hosting 228 vulnerable individuals.

General Position Summary

The Project Engineer will work directly with the Director of Programs and closely with engineering team and Mercy Corps departments for supporting the project implementation and managing all aspects of project as well as providing a broad range of assistance and guidance. The Project Engineer is a broad position that will include implementing a variety of engineering-related activities, he/she will be responsible for all relevant office and field tasks including; but not limited to; conducting technical assessment, preparing BOQs, evaluating contractor’s tenders, overseeing field works with the contractors, preparing regular payments for completed works, technical inspection of construction materials, and completed works, etc. Moreover, the work will include providing day-to-day supervisory and monitoring (technical and administrative) visits to the assigned contractors who will implement the different activities.

Essential Job Functions

-    Work cooperatively with the Mercy Corps staff, local community, partner CBOs/NGOs, and other relevant parties;
-    Responsible for the daily implementation of project activities and progress at assigned work sites;
-    Develop action plans for project implementation - including all technical specifications for project implementation. In collaboration with the Director of Programs and project team;
-    Develop and maintain good lines of communication and relationships with local authorities and the local community.
-    Supervise and be responsible for all technical aspects of project implementation, ensure that are completed in a timely, efficient and accurate manner according to standard engineering methods.
-    Check and approve material and equipment incorporated in the works, ensuring compliance with designs, specification, instructions and safety regulations, as per contractual agreements;
-    Check, monitor and inspect all materials with procurement department and in the field to ensure matching specification, in full coordination with MC relevant team members;
-    Prepares projects civil designs and bill of quantities in accordance with International codes and concerned practices.
-    Approve quality of workmanship pertaining to construction and rehabilitation activities, thus following up material sampling and testing if needed;
-    Review and assist in preparing payments submitted by contractors, review measurement sheets for the periodic payment of the work;
-     Review, update and provide technical advice regarding the project relevant technical specifications.
-    Review and verify the projects documents, drawings and bill of quantities prepared by consultants to verify them and ensure the technical soundness and correctness of the design.
-    Review, update and provide technical advice regarding the project relevant technical specifications.
-    Supervise contractor’s performance in all matters prescribed in the Contract Documents, including workmanship and safety requirements on the project site.
-    Conduct on-site observations of the work in progress and direct the Contractor to necessary measures which would avoid possible risks affecting the safety of people and properties in the vicinity.
-    Review and verify the construction documents of the project (design, bill of quantities, drawings, and technical specifications) to ensure their accuracy and applicability.
-    Check the Contractor’s works and notify the Contractor of any defects found with regards to the quality of the workmanship or materials and equipment incorporated in the project, including those found in performing the required sampling and testing.
-    Review the Contractor’s work schedules and updates thereof; closely monitor the work progress and budget depletion to ensure compliance with the project duration and cost. 
-    Review the shop drawings and as-built drawings submitted by the contractor.
-    Measure, record and review payment requests for the executed works submitted by the contractor.
-    Participate in the regular site coordination meetings with the technical project personnel and counterpart engineers to discuss the issues in connection with the construction activities.
-    Provide any other technical supervision tasks that are deemed necessary for the successful completion of the project.
-    Maintain a proper filing system for all project-related documents that is responsive to all the requirements needed for successful MEL and Audit missions;
-    Regularly update project implementation plans to the Director of Programs with associated time lines.
-    Ensure a safe working environment for all people involved in project implementation.
-    Responsible for maintaining detailed work plans and written records of engineering work undertaken in the project. 
-    Verify the quality of completed work and issue requests for payment to the contactor based on agreed upon deliverables.
-    Responsible for a high degree of awareness regarding the security situation in the project area.  Based upon this knowledge take adequate measures to ensure the safety of any and all MC staff and equipment/materials in the area. 
-    Responsible for daily contact with all engineering project staff.
-    Follow all MC protocols and regulations according to guidance provided by the direct supervisor.
-    As needed, liaise with the Finance, HR, Procurement, and other MC departments to ensure the timely flow of all information/documents required for Mercy Corps’ smooth operations related to project;
-    Develop and maintain good relation with Community committees;
-    Work closely with other project team members on scheduling of materials and labor for each work project
-    Implement projects as planned according to developed schedules and timelines;
-    Prepare daily, weekly and monthly reports of the project activities;
-    Assist in the evaluation of the project;
-    Prepare worker lists and check them properly
-    Assist in planning baseline surveys and collecting baseline data
-    Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission in Palestine;
-    Assist MC staff with any request for information or date regarding project expansion or development;
-    Liaise with other project teams and staff to ensure that all MC community projects are well-coordinated and prioritized by community member;
-    Assist with overall implementation of agriculture activities to develop future follow-on activity;
-    Liaise with international and local agencies as necessary;
-    Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of activities and impact and make recommendations for improvements;
-    Promote and adhere to the principle and objectives of the project and Mercy Corps/Palestine;
-    Troubleshoot on reporting and programmatic needs. Advise supervisor on improvements and necessities, as required; 
-    Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;
-    Any other tasks that deemed necessary to complete relevant project activities;

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: NA
   
ACCOUNTABILITY

-    REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Director of Programs
-    WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Engineering Team, Human Resources, Admin, Finance, Procurement, and MEL departments

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

University degree in civil engineering. Minimum 4 years’ work experience in engineering project implementation and supervision. Spoken and written English proficiency is essential. Proficiency in a variety of local languages preferred. Physically able to spend the long periods of time in the field. Must be able to work independently once in the field and show initiative; experience construction and contractors relationship; needs assessment and report writing; ability to develop good relationships with target communities; ability to make recommendations for improvement; computer and basic administrative and organizational skills is a plus; willingness to extensively travel throughout the project area (Gaza Strip); commitment to engaging most vulnerable members of community.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

-    Excellent communication and coordination skills, with strong personality.
-    Excellent planning and administration skills.
-    Initiative, self-reliant and cooperative.
-    Excellent time and organizational management skills.
-    Excellent ability to work under pressure and carry out multiple tasks.

Qualified persons with disability are highly encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a one-page cover letter and their CV by e-mail to
 

[email protected]

no later than Friday, 22 September 2017
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Please indicate in the email subject; Project Engineer.
No application will be accepted if the email subject is not mentioned in the email subject line.
Please apply separate application for each position you are interested in.

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