Infrastructure Coordinator

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) has launched its operations in Lebanon in March 2013 in order to address the immediate needs of Syrian refugees affected by the crisis. SI in Lebanon has two operational bases (Tripoli and Zahle) and a coordination office in Beirut. The expatriate team consists of 15 staff members, while the national team represents around 170 staff members.

In 2021, the SI Lebanon mission has undergone an extensive Strategic Development exercise to (re)orient the mission given the contextual evolution and transition from a status-based towards a needs-based approach to it’s programmatic strategy. This transition entailed an internal analysis on the current programming and geographical coverage to determine the impact (both positive and negative) SI’s programming has had on the population of Lebanon over the last years.

With this, the programmatic strategy for 2022-2025 has been designed and will revolve around the following (3) axis:

Respond to the acute needs of vulnerable populations in the aftermath of sudden shocks;

Ensure delivery of basic services and strengthen coping capacities of vulnerable populations through a community-based integrated approach;

Build resilience of communities and systems through strengthening capacities of local stakeholders

The above will consider the integration of the following sectors - at both household and community level - considering the needs along the time continuum between Emergency and Development:

WASH

Public Infrastructure

Disaster Risk Management

Livelihoods – new sectoral focus of SI Lebanon

At the time of writing, SI Lebanon annual portfolio is an estimated 15 M USD through a total of 6 projects from Unicef, ECHO, AFD/Danida, DFID/EU, GSMA

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

The Infrastructure Coordinator, as technical advisor of the mission, contributes to the development of Solidarités International strategy by proposing a sectoral-based strategy in the field of public infrastructure.

He/she specifically guarantees the quality and suitability of proposed technical approaches and ensures the appropriateness of public infrastructure activities and general SI objectives to the needs of the local populations.

He/she coordinates the project cycle and more particularly the operational monitoring of public infrastructure programs implemented in the intervention country.

He/she contributes to the process of capitalization and the improvement of Solidarités International methods and techniques in the field of public infrastructure

The main challenges:

Develop SI’s vision in terms of public infrastructure activities aligned with the missions integrated, area-based strategy

Provide technical designs,  guidance and review of all technical documentation, internally and externally with contractors, consultants and stakeholders

Ensure quality control and sustainability of public infrastructure programming

Contribute to the development of new project proposals – aligned to the missions strategy

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

Design, Support, Monitor and Supervise the infrastructure activities in areas of operation (assessment, design, logistic and procurement process, work monitoring with regular field visit, financial statement and final acceptance, handover) according SI standard and work safety approach

Technical Line Management of Infrastructure-related teams (WAS, Public Infrastructure, DRM)

Design, Support, Monitor and Supervise the infrastructure activities in areas of operation (assessment, design, logistic and procurement process, work monitoring with regular field visit, financial statement and final acceptance, handover) according SI standard and work safety approach.

Design SI strategy for community-based (urban, semi-urban and rural) Infrastructure activities

Support and work closely with Supply team for specific procurement (technical aspect, specificity of infrastructure work)

Coordination with the local stakeholders and the other actors (local and international) working in infrastructure activities

Active participation sectors and actors linked to public infrastructure activities.

Responsibilities and main activities:

Strategic orientation

· Propose and develop a sector-based strategy in accordance with SI’s policies and priorities for the intervention country.

· Propose and organize diagnostic missions in the field of public infrastructure.

· Support the Head of Programmes in the monitoring and analysis of the public infrastructure sector and the analysis of donors’ strategies for community-based infrastructure activities

· Be the driving force for putting new public infrastructure activities into place.

· Participate actively in programming work

· Participate actively in the week for technical coordinators

Relevance and quality of projects

· Confirm the relevance of any assessments carried out

· Propose and organize evaluation missions

· Support the program supervisor/s in setting up a technical approach and assessing the financial, human, and logistical elements of programs to be implemented.

· Approve the technical approaches and aspects of projects for public infrastructure activities

· Ensure that all public infrastructure programs are implemented respecting Solidarités International annual operational strategy, technical requirements, and the criteria stipulated by financial backers.

· Ensure the relevance and consistency of public infrastructure programs vis-à-vis the needs of the local populations.

· Ensure that the programs under his/her supervision achieve the required results

· Ensure that work meets sustainability requirements and that established norms and standards are respected

· Develop the public infrastructure team capacities with techniques and new methodologies

Coordination, technical support and operational monitoring

· Ensure that resources from the Tool Box are used correctly in the management of the public infrastructure project cycle.

· Ensure that the planning and monitoring timetable is consolidated / validated

· Approve the quality criteria and performance indicators of public infrastructure programs proposed by the program managers.

· Ensure that monitoring indicators are in place and relevant

· With the coordination team, take part in the monthly review of programs (budgetary, operational, logistical…)

· Provide support and advice to the logistical service for the purchase of specific materials for public infrastructure activity

· Provide a technical and methodological support to program managers for the planning and implementation of public infrastructure activities

· Supervise and support the public infrastructure   program managers, monitor and evaluate infrastructure  activities implemented

· Anticipate difficulties relating to how public infrastructure activities are carried out and facilitate the resolution of problems linked to public infrastructure  programs

· Propose the reorientation of public infrastructure activities according to changing context and indicators

Capitalization

· Ensure that Solidarités International’s capitalization tools are correctly used and disseminated throughout HQ (technical unit and desks)

· Participate in the centralization and dissemination of procedures, guides and tools linked to public infrastructure activities

· Propose improvements to existing tools

· Form a network of  public infrastructure experts, develop technical partnerships with others actors in this sector of the intervention zone and regularly keep the technical unit informed of this

· In coordination with the technical unit, capitalize on the intervention methods and techniques, and on the experiences acquired by Solidarités International and others actors in this activity field

· Ensure that handover reports are written by all program managers before the end of their contract and that these are sent to headquarters

Personnel management              

· In conjunction with HQ HR, define the prerequisites for public infrastructure position openings and adapt existing criteria if necessary.

· Welcome and brief expatriates working on public infrastructure programs

· Identify training requirements within the public infrastructure team and the resources available in the work area

· Implement technical training in line with operational needs identified by training requirements

· Lead workshops, coordination meetings and/or technical exchange programs

· Evaluate and assess the performance of collaborators under his/her direct supervision

· Actively participate in the organization of regional technical weeks and compiling reports of these work sessions

· Supervise adherence to security regulations by personnel under his/her supervision

Reporting / communication / representation

· Support the HoM with fundraising and the negotiation and examination of project proposals relating to his/her activity

· Convey information to the relevant authorities on security matters or any event having a possible consequence on Solidarités International activities and the security of the teams.

· Consolidate public infrastructure activity reports and supervise the preparation annexes linked to public infrastructure activities for reports and/or financial donors

· Ensure that all reports are delivered on time and in the correct format

· Validate technical expertise reports

· In conjunction with the HoM, establish and maintain a communication network and good relations with local/government authorities, financial donor representatives, UN agencies and other international agencies

· Ensure that SI is represented at all meetings or forums concerning public infrastructure activities

· Represent the organization when asked and/or delegated to do so

· Reply to headquarter requests regarding specific needs

YOUR PROFILE

Education:

Advanced university degree (MA) in civil engineering, urban development/planning or equivalent

Mandatory Experience:

Minimum 6 years technical experience in technical field of expertise (ie urban planning, infrastructure projects)

Minimum 4 years experience in INGO/NNGO/UN

Previous experiences at management, project management and coordination level

Asset experience:

Previous experience in large scale infrastructure projects

Previous experience in the Middle East and/or Lebanon

Technical skills and knowledge:

Strong technical skills in the field of civil engineering and/or urban planning is required

Strong Project Cycle Management skills

AutoCad, MATLAB

Soft skills and spirit:

Organized and problem solving spirit

Autonomy and capacity of initiative

Flexibility and strong coordination skills

Ability to work under pressure, with peaks of heavy workloads

Languages:

Fully fluent in English: excellent speaking, reading and writing skills

French & Arabic is a strong asset

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried post: 3,090 USD as a basic salary

Paid Leaves: 1.5 days/month

Social and medical cover