Civil Engineer – Governance and Social Stability (5 months contract)

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 1980’s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Egypt.

Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps promotes economic and social development in marginalized communities and respond to emergency needs as they emerge. Since the outbreak of the conflict in Syria in 2011, Mercy Corps in Lebanon has shifted its programs towards emergency based interventions while integrating long-term development programming by focusing on key sectors: Protection, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Governance and Social Stability (GSS), and Livelihoods.

Under the scope of the Governance and Social Stability (GSS) Sector, Mercy Corps is working in the Bekaa mainly in Baalbek-Hermel Governorate and Bekaa Governorate (West Bekaa, Zahle and Rachaya districts), targeting in particular nine vulnerable municipalities (Rayak, Kfarzabad, Keb Elias, Jeb Jannine, Qaraoun, Kasarnaba, Douris, and Fakiha). The overall objective of the programs is to empower vulnerable municipalities and communities to mitigate conflict caused by resource tensions exacerbated by the Syrian crisis. In this regard, Mercy Corps works closely with municipalities to mobilize and enrich community members with skills that can help them identify sources of common tensions and create action plans that will mitigate those tensions.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Civil Engineer will ensure day-to-day field supervision and coordination of all engineering works taking place during the lifetime of the project, focusing primarily on civil infrastructure, roads, irrigation canals, rehabilitation, and other similar works. The projects are aimed at improving infrastructure at vulnerable localities in Bekaa. The Civil Engineer will maintain impartiality and neutrality in dealing with all stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Oversee day to day project implementation and ensure effective and timely completion of the infrastructure interventions according to project specifications and standards.
• Supervise the implementation of the technical components of the project contracted; ensure proper project implementation, full compliance with required standards and specifications.
• Generate, in coordination with the Wash Sector Manager and the Project Manager, designs, illustrations, and Bills of Quantities (BOQs) for the required infrastructure projects.
• Provide technical support and advice to Mercy Corps’ partners and other agencies engaged in the implementation of infrastructure interventions.
• Conduct field assessments and coordinate with different stakeholders to determine the scope of work, resource requirements, and estimated costs.
• Monitor infrastructure intervention progress as per Mercy Corps regulations and standards.
• Prepare weekly field plans/reports to be submitted to the Project Manager;
• 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.
• Identify equipment and material needs by developing a detailed bill of quantities (BOQ), and in co-operation with the local logistics team assess what is available in the local market.
• 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 duties as assigned by the supervisor.

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:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Project Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Sector Manager, Senior Engineer Consultant, field engineer, procurement, M&E Teams, field officers, and partners

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 5 years’ work experience working in the construction/infrastructure field, previous experience with NGOs or relevant organizations in Lebanon is an asset.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or any relevant engineering field.
• Familiarity with the issues of urban and rural infrastructure systems and networks desirably.
• Demonstrate good expertise in infrastructure system design and implementation, especially roads, underground networks, concrete tanks, irrigation canals, etc.
• Commitment to local capacity building and the ability to engage local stakeholders in project design and implementation.
• Demonstrated capacity to collaborate closely with INGOs and national NGOs and CBOs.
• Good organizational and basic project management skills
• Experience working with refugees or other vulnerable population required, implementing an infrastructure project and conducting training is preferred.
• Proven understanding of Do No Harm principles and methodology with applied experience implementing projects with/for women and girls. 
• The applicants should have good written and verbal English and Arabic skills.
• Must be computer-literate, particularly in programs such as AutoCAD, MS Word, and MS Excel. Strong organizational and collaboration skills required, with the ability to work independently and be self-directed, as necessary. 
• Must work well as a member of a team, with the willingness to travel throughout Lebanon, sometimes staying overnight, as the job requires. 

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful infrastructure Civil Engineer will be bright, energetic, hard-working and eager to learn.  S/he will take a deep personal interest in supporting the Syrian refugees’ and host communities’ situation in Lebanon and in learning about the work of Mercy Corps and the humanitarian/development community.  S/he will be attentive to detail and be able to carry out assigned tasks in high-pressure circumstances in a timely manner and according to a very high standard of quality.  S/he will be creative and flexible, but at the same time will adhering to all organizational systems, procedures, and policies.  S/he will strictly follow all protocols related to safety and security. S/he will have a strong collaborative spirit with the ability to work independently and with a team, while maintaining a sense of humor.