Construction Manager Somalia

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Danish Demining Group

Invites applications for the position of

Construction Manager Somalia

Background

Danish Demining Group (DDG) is a part of Danish Refugee Council (DRC). DDG has operated in Somaliland since 1999 and in South Central Somalia since 2007 clearing mines and other explosive remnants of war. Our programme has since grown to include other aspects of Armed Violence Reduction, namely:

• Strengthening local institutions and enhancing local capacity for addressing safety needs
• Addressing immediate threats to life and limbs by explosive remnants of war
• Addressing small arms as a tool of violence
• Building capacity for conflict management and peace
• Strengthening relationships between security providers and communities

The programme is rooted in a participatory process, where DDG assists target communities to assess their safety and security situation, define and prioritize their safety and security needs and identify resources to address these needs (Community Safety). At times this requires construction or refurbishment of facilities at community and district level, typically police posts, armouries meeting halls, feeder roads or court houses.

Overall objectives

The Construction Manager will oversee construction of civil engineering projects in Somalia, ensuring that project outputs are relevant to the needs of partners and beneficiaries, cost-effective and that they meet quality and safety standards.

The Construction Manager reports to DDG Somalia Country Director. He/she will work closely with other DDG colleagues: 3 x Somalia-based Armed Violence Reduction Managers, 1 x Mine Action / PSSM Operations Manager, the Horn of Africa and Yemen Regional Director, as well as specialist global advisers on Armed Violence Reduction.

The Construction Manager will support DDG regional and global construction activities by agreement with the DDG Somalia Country Director (maximum 20% of his/her time). He/she will also establish close relations with DRC Counterparts (1 x WASH and Infrastructure Manager for Somalia and Ethiopia and Senior Engineers in specific Somali regions), maintaining a two-way dialogue on standards and technical issues and providing support when agreed and occasionally referring to the DRC Infrastructure Manager for support.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities:

Procurement and project management

• Ensure sound management of construction projects from procurement through to hiring of contractors, on-site monitoring and budget control in accordance with DDG/DRC in-house standards and donor requirements
• Preparation and review of technical drawings, bid and tender documents, market data, BoQs and BoMs

• Manage relations with contractors
• Liaison with and technical support to community and local government representatives in relation to community-driven construction projects

Technical support

• Develop and review engineering designs, templates and in-house standards documents against standards and technological requirements
• Advise DDG programme staff on technical matters related to construction including monitoring market prices

People management

• Supervision, management and capacity building of national staff (workshops are likely to be planned in collaboration with DRC Infrastructure team on the ground)Train national staff, e.g. programme coordinators and national engineering staff

Security         

• Ensure compliance with DRC/DDG in-house safety system

Planning and reporting

• Contribute to team workplans
• Ensure proper and timely financial and narrative reporting in compliance with internal and external reporting requirements
• Maintain a database of construction works
• Document results, challenges and remedial actions

Representation/Liaison

• Represent DDG towards externally as required
• Establish routine collaboration and coordinate with DRC colleagues concerning tools, standards and ongoing project activities

Fundraising and programme development

• Support Country and Regional Director in proposal writing, particularly elements related to construction including development of budgets

Accountability

• Guided by the DRC Programme Handbook, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of DDG’s activities.

Other

• Any other reasonable task as may be assigned by his/her supervisor/senior Management.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil/Architectural Engineering or other relevant qualification.
• Minimum of 6 years work experience of which a minimum of 3 years field experience in a developing country context
• Knowledge of participatory approaches and tools to community planning, monitoring and evaluation
• Proven experience in construction project management
• Proficiency in written and spoken English is required. Good experience of report writing and editing is required.
• Familiarity with relevant computer programmes including spreadsheet construction, and their practical application
• Practical knowledge of AutoCAD, ArcGIS or other GIS programmes is required.

Personal competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong organisation and management skills
• Self-motivated and able to work with a minimum of guidance

• Political and cultural sensitivity, including ability to adapt well to local cultures
• Proven ability to function well in a volatile and very restricted environment
• Political and cultural sensitivity, including ability to adapt well to local cultures
• Ability to resist external pressures

Conditions

Duty station: Baidoa, Somalia with frequent travel to other areas in Somalia/Land and elsewhere as required. This is a ‘non-family duty station’ and the person must be prepared to live and work in an isolated and unstable security environment with limited recreational and social facilities. Accommodation is provided.

Contract: 17 months - with good possibilities for extension. Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for expatriates please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. This position is placed at salary A13. The position offers an R&R benefit, in addition to standard vacation and holiday benefits. The position is subject to funding.

Start date: 01 November 2014 or as soon as possible.

Further information

For information about our work and organisation, please visit our website http://www.danishdemininggroup.dk/.

Application and CV

Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications sent together with a CV, in English and marked ”Construction Manager DDG Somalia” will be considered.

We only accept applications sent via our online system at www.drc.dk under Vacancies.   Please remember to upload a letter of application and your CV. CV-only applications will not be considered.

Applications are to be sent to no later than 5th September2014.

Candidates who applied earlier need not to apply.

Please contact job@drc.dk, if you experience problems with your online application.