Project Engineer - Nabatieh (Applications will only be accepted if submitted online, through the URL link provided. (Kindly do not send emails to lb-recruitment@mercycorps.org))

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. The agency pursues its mission through emergency relief services, sustainable community development, civil society and economic development initiatives. Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently works in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq.

Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps has implemented community development programs focused on promoting economic development and increased opportunity for disadvantaged communities, while responding to emergencies as they emerged in the country. In 2012, the program portfolio shifted in response to the massive refugee influx from Syria and Mercy Corps in Lebanon has solidified its emergency response programming while integrating longer-term development programming by focusing on key sectors: Protection, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Governance and Conflict, and Livelihoods.

Mercy Corps is implementing the “Holistic Humanitarian Assistance to Syrian Refugees and Host Communities in Lebanon Program” (HHAP). The HHAP program aims to provide multi-sector humanitarian assistance to improve the wellbeing of conflict affected Syrian refugees and vulnerable host communities in Lebanon through integrated WASH services and facilities, livelihood opportunities and Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) prevention and response services. The project is being implemented in the Governorates of Bekaa, Hermel-Baalbek, South Lebanon, and Nabatieh, funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM). The program takes a multi-faceted approach to achieve this goal by: (1) improving access to water and sanitation facilities and promoting improved hygiene practices; (2) creating short-term livelihood opportunities through Labor Intensive Projects (LIP); and (3) reducing SGBV through increased awareness and improved access to quality services. This will be accomplished through carefully sequencing and integrating activities, with WASH and livelihood activities integrating SGBV risk mitigation in their design and implementation.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direct supervision of the WaSH Component Lead, the Project Engineer will lead the assessment, design, planning, implementation and monitoring of WASH and Livelihood infrastructure components of the BPRM program in the Nabatieh and South governorates. The Project Engineer will ensure the design and preparation of all technical documents, Bills of Quantities (BoQs) and drawings of the WASH and the infrastructure Labor Intensive Projects (LIP) projects and the day-to-day field management, supervision and coordination of all the WaSH activities taking place during the lifetime of the project, including the emergency desludging services. S/he will also ensure representation of Mercy Corps in field level coordination meetings and working groups. The program aims to provide access to improved WASH services and infrastructure LIP of a public benefit nature, for vulnerable Syrian Refugees and host communities. This will also include government engagement sometimes, scale up & sustainability, promotion of Syrian and Lebanese participation in project activities, strengthening the role of women in decision making in regards to schemes selection and hygiene practices

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The Project Engineer is expected to lead the assessment, design, planning, implementation and monitoring of WASH and Livelihood infrastructure and rehabilitation projects. S/he needs to:

• Design and prepare all technical documents, BoQs, drawings and all technical documents of the WaSH and infrastructure/rehabilitation Labor Intensive Projects (LIP).
• Monitor and supervise all contractors work, including desludging activities. That includes monitoring, managing and recording desludging activities on relevant trackers.
• Ensure effective local stakeholders’ participation, including local government, refugees and host communities, at all levels of the WaSH and LIP activities identification, design and implementation.
• Take account of gender and protection concerns in WaSH and LIP activities design and implementation;
• Carry out activities in a way that reflects the needs of specific groups and individuals’ e.g. elderly people, children, and people with disabilities (PWDs).
• Conduct and coordinate detailed technical assessment for the rehabilitation or improvement of WaSH or community LIPs infrastructures; prepare tender documents, and raise purchase requests for goods, services or works.
• Ensure that the various aspects of the WaSH activities are integrated with the LIP and GBV activities, and that they form part of a coherent response.
• Supervise the rehabilitation or improvement of WASH and LIP infrastructures; closely supervise contracted WaSH activities and liaise with contractors and consultants as necessary ensuring full compliance with required standards, for the successful and timely achievement of activities.
• Conduct WaSH facilities assessment to determine scope of work, resource requirement and estimated cost.
• Work together with the hygiene promotion team and in developing hygiene promotion communication plan, designed IEC materials, and implementation of the hygiene promotion activities.  
• Participate in regular team meetings, staff check-ins, and frequent supportive monitoring field visits, monitor activities progress against plan and propose corrective measures as required.
• Ensure proper tracking and documentation of the WaSH and LIP activities, lessons learned or any relevant information related to Nabatieh and South governorates in the Google-based program file.
• Provide technical support and advice to private contractors and Mercy Corps partners engaged in the implementation of the program.
• Under the guidance of the WASH Component Lead, coordinate field activities with relevant municipalities and the South Lebanon Water Establishment where needed.
• Prepare weekly field reports to be submitted to WaSH Component Lead.
• Support in facilitating agency and donor monitoring visits.
• Conduct emergency assessments and, in coordination with other agencies, in order to design and organize the implementation of appropriate responses.
• Support in establishing and maintaining proper project documentation and records, including but not limited to: needs assessments questionnaires, monitoring questionnaires, certificates of vouchers receipts, consolidated list of beneficiaries, photos etc.
• Contribute to monthly reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor and internal requirements.
• Manage the performance of the WaSH Assistant. Set clear performance objectives and make sure that s/he has clear understanding about the objective of the team, role/responsibility in achieving those objectives.
• Closely coordinate and work with BPRM GBV and Livelihoods teams in the South to ensure complete program integration;
• Closely coordinate and work with BPRM MEL Officer to ensure transparent sites and beneficiaries selection, and complete MEL cycle through the project phases;
• Coordinate and work with government officials, beneficiaries and other stakeholders throughout the implementation of the program;
• Represent Mercy Corps at field WASH related coordination meetings to foster greater coordination and information sharing and ensure optimal service coverage for Mercy Corps respective areas of implementation;
• Liaise with national and local officials to explain the objectives and parameters of the WaSH program, as well as program partners, local religious leaders and other community members to ensure support for and acceptance of activities;
• Develop and maintain working relationships and coordinate with relevant international and local agencies.
• 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.

Other

• Apply Do No Harm standards in the monitoring process to ensure activities do not have detrimental effects on vulnerable communities;
• 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;
• Ensure all activities are gender sensitive and follow Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity Policy;

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.

Accountability to Beneficiaries: 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, M&E of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY & ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: WASH Component Lead;

SUPERVISES: WaSH Assistant;

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Hygiene Promotion (HP) Officer, Beqaa Project Engineer, Livelihood Coordinator, Livelihood Assistant, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer, GBV Team, Program Support Officer and BPRM Program Manager.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• A university master’s or engineering (BE) degree in Civil engineering, Architecture or Mechanical engineering;
• Practical minimum of postgraduate four (4) years of experience in infrastructure engineering, including documented experience in designing and supervising the implementation of water, sanitation, rehabilitation and construction projects;
• Practical minimum of two (2) years of experience working with Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) humanitarian field within WaSH, Shelter, Infrastructure or Livelihoods sectors;
• Documented skills in project planning and design, drafting, calculation, Bill of Quantities (BOQs) and shop drawing preparation and technical writing;
• Good computer skills in engineering programs i.e. AutoCAD, EPA Net, MS Office, etc…;
• Oral and written Arabic and English;
• Experience in assessing, implementing and monitoring of civil works or infrastructure improvement;
• Experience identifying and developing local partnerships;
• Demonstrated ability to manage and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles;
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving;
• Proven ability to learn quickly, lead a program to achieve stated results and objectives;
• Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders;
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment;
• Willingness to travel throughout the country.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Project Engineer will combine knowledge of administrative, executive and financial work flow related to WASH and infrastructure LIP activities. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving is essential in a complex security and political environment like Lebanon. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.