Construction Advisor - ACE

Construction Advisor – Strengthening the Resilience of Smallholder Farmers, Micro- Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Local Communities in Lebanon (ACE)

Band: 4

Job Profile

1. Required qualifications, competences and experience

Formal Education:

• University Degree/Masters/MSc in Architecture or Civil Engineering

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in civil engineer or architect positions for construction projects covering new construction, rehabilitation and technical equipment for buildings or infrastructure
• Very good practical experience and knowledge in Lebanese and international construction standards, norms, regulations, laws and procedures.
• In depth knowledge of construction related public procurement law and corresponding awarding processes in the Lebanese and international context
• Experiences in working with public administration and relevant authorities (e.g. Municipalities, Universities, Order of Engineers and Architects).
• Very good practical experience in all relevant process steps of construction projects starting from the first project idea until execution and handing over.
• Very good experience in planning, supervising and implementation of construction projects.
• Good knowledge of national construction market and construction costs.
• Experience in the construction sector for international cooperation projects is an advantage
• Experience in the renewable energy sector is considered as an asset

Other knowledge, additional competences:

• Fluency in Arabic and English (written and spoken)
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a multi-cultural team and showing very good teamwork skills
• Profound verbal communication and reporting skills (working and reporting language is English)
• Profound working knowledge of IT tools and applications (construction management software, computer engineering and architectural design software) and office applications
• Customer and service-oriented attitude
• Experienced in working with a focus on goals and timely execution.
• Excellent intercultural and interpersonal skills and ability to interact with partners at various levels
• Ability to work under pressure with high attentiveness
• Holder of a Lebanese driving license with a minimum of five years of practical experience.

2. Major Responsibilities

• Support the project implementation in the field of construction and other technical interventions contributing to timely achievement of the results of the project.
• Designated focal person for selected construction measures, responsible for overseeing all implementation-related processes throughout the project cycle including monitoring, steering, follow up, reporting, coordination and cooperation etc. with all involved stakeholders
• Prepare and follow-up on all construction related contracts (consultants and contractors/construction companies).
• Preparation of contracts for engineering and architect services (e.g. preparation of technical specifications, ToRs, cost estimation etc.)
• Steering and monitoring contracted engineers and architects in the planning and tendering of construction measures.
• Conducting site supervision before and during the construction activities and steering and monitoring the implementation of construction measures
• Coordination and monitoring of timely implementation of all related processes and activities.
• Professional documentation of all relevant processes and filing of relevant documents related to the planning and implementation.
• Participating in meetings and preparing minutes of meetings.
• Managing costs, ensuring quality, and ensuring compliance with regulated processes and applicable construction regulations.
• Reporting and coordinating with the Project Manager on status and details of project implementation status and field work.
• Ensuring a “Do-no-harm” approach in all implementing activities.

3. Tasks

Follow-up and technical tasks related to the planning and implementation of construction works:

The position holder:

• Communicates and coordinates with all parties and stakeholders involved in planning and implementation of infrastructure projects (e.g. consultants /architects or engineers, local construction companies, local authorities, owner).
• Supports in the design and execution of construction projects in all stages of the implementation
• Prepares and follow-up on all construction related contracts in coordination with the project team, country office and headquarters.
• Reviews all technical drawings & specifications and oversee  the design development of all planned activities with the consultants.
• Monitors the progress of the construction site (site visits, reports, etc.) and follow-up.
• Oversees and ensures the accuracy of the invoicing procedures of consultants and contractors/construction companies in close coordination with the administrative staff.
• Supports in resolving design and development problems and undertaking construction supervision
• Prepares appropriate input for various project and programme reports and documentations (project presentation, fact sheets, annual project reports etc.) and contributes to other reports required by the project.

General Communication and Cooperation:

The position holder:

• Coordinates and cooperates actively and effectively with colleagues and the administrative division within GIZ.
• Ensuring good communication, effective coordination and flow of information within the project and with work partners, other institutions and the GIZ country office.

Knowledge Management & Monitoring:

The position holder:

• Contributes to the result-based monitoring and knowledge management of the project.

Other Duties/Additional Tasks

The position holder:

• Risk assessment regarding contractual and legal issues related to construction.
• Coordination with the Risk Management Office specifically for planning field trips or whenever needed
• Support in the acquisition of new projects and funds and the development of innovative concepts.
• Additional tasks to be agreed upon with the Project Manager.
• Represents the interests and always acts on behalf of GIZ

Description of the project

The GIZ project “Strengthening the Resilience of Smallholder Farmers, Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Local Communities in Lebanon (ACE)” is and aims to strengthen economic stabilization and improve social stability through targeted measures to promote cooperation and exchange in three areas of action: 

• Agriculture: Support of farmers to form agricultural associations and to produce in accordance with market needs, including training and sharing of good agricultural practices. 
• Support of small and medium enterprises (SME): Targeted promotion of income prospects with financial and capacity-building measures to promote entrepreneurial action and closing important gaps in the value chains. 
• Local communities & social stability: Joint planning & implementation of low-threshold community initiatives both within civil society and together with local governments to strengthen positive intergroup experiences as well as increasing confidence in local capacity to act.

Location: Main Office in Beirut Hazmieh, project area Bekaa, Mount Lebanon, South Baalbek and Hasbaya, other regions in Lebanon might be added

Working place: GIZ Beirut Office

Place of action: Bekaa, Mount Lebanon, South Baalbek and Hasbaya and other locations in Lebanon