Engineering Liaison Officer

Who are we  Concern Worldwide is a non-governmental international humanitarian organisation, and was founded in 1968. Concern Worldwide currently operates in a number of countries across the globe, with its Head Office in Dublin. We work with the poor and vulnerable in the world’s poorest countries to help them bring about long-lasting change in their lives and realise their fundamental human rights; to food, to health, to education, and ultimately to a life of dignity. Together with local and international partners, and with the beneficiaries themselves, we respond to emergencies and undertake long term development work.  We work across the world to promote a better understanding of extreme poverty, and we campaign for local and global action that will help reduce this. Job Summary   The main purpose of the position is to work under the management of the ITS Programme Manager and IS Rehabilitation and Maintenance Team Leader to build the capacity of landlords, municipalities, host communities, and refugees on the proper maintenance and operation of water and sewage systems, and to follow up with desludging works for ITS’ septic and holding tanks.   Duties, responsibilities and objectives include but may not be limited to:   Representation and Coordination Liaise with key stakeholders (municipalities, landlords, the North Lebanon Water Establishment) in the Akkar region around Concern’s work with refugees and host communities Initiate and secure the signing of agreements (contracts, MoUs, licenses, etc.) with landlords, contractors, local authorities, municipalities, mukhtars, shaweesh, etc. Ensure agreements are in compliance with Lebanese law, local and national government instruction, and in accordance with guidelines set out by coordinating agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF, etc.)  Identify and approach the relevant communities and focal points in the Akkar region to demonstrate and advise on proposed intervention works in ITSs by Concern Worldwide.   Information Management Maintain and regularly update databases of ITS works carried at various sites. Ensure that collected project data and documents are properly stored, analysed and reported upon. Maintain database of contacts with local authorities and key community stakeholders Record minutes/notes of meetings with local authorities (from contractor to shaweesh to municipality members) and provide regular reports on such meetings.    Training Assess training needs of the WASH committees to determine appropriate course content. Organize and conduct the training of WASH committees in the key areas identified from the assessment; For example: Budget management and record keeping, business plan development and implementation, water treatment and hygiene promotion, work planning, operation and maintenance, committee workplans and scheduling. Draft or review the training manual to suit the particular context.   Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Prepare detailed monthly work plans for monthly activities in consultation with the line manager, and ensure the timely implementation of agreed workplans. Monitor progress and prepare weekly updates and monthly progress reports of WASH activities to the Line Manager in the required format (Activity Info, reports). Ensure the maintenance of an up-to-date computer database of the WASH committees’ evaluation and all WASH activities and operations in the area. Perform other relevant duties assigned by the Programme Manager/ Team Leader.   Desludging Monitoring Follow up with all the desludging referrals and ensure that all the septic/holding tanks in Concern ITSs are emptied on time. Check that the septic/holding tanks structure are safe and functional. Ensure the black water drainage is connected to proper systems, and aren’t considered as a potential risk to the health or the environment. Follow up with desludging contractor and monitor the desludging process. Fill the desludging daily tracker, and ensure the quantity desludged in each site is accurately recorded. Ensure that the desludging daily tracker is attached with the WWTP certificates showing desludging has been safely disposed of. Monitor progress and prepare weekly updates and monthly progress reports of desludging activities to the Team Leader/Programme Manager in the prescribed format. Establish a database about black water disposal in the ITSs, Septic tank, holding tanks sizes and volumes, and predicated desludging rates. Prepare the monthly payment for the desludging contractor and ensure that all the documents are accurate. Perform other relevant duties assigned by the Programme Manager/Team Leader.   Other Technical Roles and Responsibilities Contribute to project management tool development, planning sessions, and attend meetings as requested by the Manager. Conduct surveys and assessments of informal settlements [measured drawings, photographs, narrative] noting all topographic features [ site levels, vegetation, soil  quality, adjacent water ways or sources etc], number and layout of tents, and  the extent of existing infrastructure and condition of same and prepare, based on assessment, detailed scope of works. Assist in the implementation of a pilot project regarding Solid Waste Management/Blackwater Management in collaboration with municiplaities (including the helping to capacity build the relevant staff/volunteers in the pilot project component). Supervise, coordinate and report on the progress of WASH construction activities to the team leader and programme manager. Ensure that all construction materials conform to required specifications and are of the highest quality. Ensure that all construction works conform to required specifications and are of the highest quality.   Work ethic Adhere to Concern’s Program Participant Protection Policy (PPPP) and Concern’s Code of Conduct. Support and promote Concern’s Programme Participant Protection Policy (PPPP) and Concern’s Code of Conduct. Support the implementation of Concern’s Referral and Complaints Response Mechanism (CRM).   Skills, Qualifications, Experience, and Attitude Required   Degree in Civil Engineering or construction engineering or public health or related technical qualification with relevant experience Minimum of 2 years’ experience in construction projects or public health management (preferably ITS and WASH related) Experience in construction contract management, including the liaison, signing and implementation of contracts with contractors and government bodies. Familiarity with the SPHERE Project and Minimum Standards and Lebanon construction standards Leadership and supervisory skills and ability to foster team spirit. Strong organizational skills and able to coordinate and manage a diverse array of activities and stakeholders Willingness to live in the North governorate of Lebanon. Report writing skills and computer skills in word processing and spreadsheets. Skills in technical drawings software (preferably AutoCad) Experience in conducting surveys, managing and analysing data and statistics Very good knowledge of English both written and oral Willingness to have long working hours, work in the camps and travel to construction sites when required. Commitment to ensuring the protection of refugees. Strong sense of security management and willingness to follow security guidelines and regulations Commitment to humanitarian principles and values Commitment to Concern equal opportunity and gender practices