DRC began operating in Kenya in 2005 with assistance to refugees and displacement-affected communities via implementation of protection and livelihoods activities. DRC works in Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps, as well as in Nairobi and Mombasa to assist urban-based refugees. In the Kakuma Refugee Camp, (Turkana County), DRC assists refugees throughout East Africa but primarily from South Sudan with protection and livelihoods/self-reliance programs. Host community members also benefit from DRC activities. Currently there are over 130 DRC staff in the Kenya country program, 21 of whom work in Kakuma. With funding from UNHCR and other donors, DRC will continue to provide both humanitarian assistance and longer-term development support to existing refugees, new arrivals, and the host community in Kakuma and expand activities into the new Kalobeyei settlement area.
Purpose
The Construction Officer is needed to ensure proper implementation of construction activities across all DRC intervention areas. Activities include facility design, creation of BoQs, facilitating call for bids and bid analysis, selection of appropriate construction companies, monitoring and evaluation of all construction works, facilitating payment for contractors, and ensuring all previously constructed facilities are maintained and properly functioning. Construction activities include but are not limited to design and construction of SGBV safe spaces and safe havens, DRC field offices, storage facilities, rehabilitation of existing structures, and installation of water catchment devices.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop working drawings (both soft and hard copies), bills of quantities, breakdown estimates, technical specifications, and tender dossiers for all construction projects under both Protection and Livelihoods sectors including but not limited to:
- Safe Spaces (2 or more)
- Storage sheds (4)
- Rehabilitation of shipping containers to create office space/storage facility (2)
- Installation of water catchment devices on existing buildings (4 or more)
- Construction of tent platforms (1 or more)
- Staff accommodation blocks (depending on funding, 1 or more)
- Maintain accepted Infrastructural standards for the sector and ensure that project staff, partner agencies and recipient communities understand, accept and adhere to these standards.
- Ensure that various technical Templates (including bill of quantities, bill of materials and reporting formats) are in line with the Regional Infrastructure Manual (2016) and are well used.
- Review of the technical specifications, engineering designs and work schedules to ensure consistency with the most appropriate technology and existing ministry /sector standards.
- Assist the DRC logistics unit with the technical evaluation of the bids for those works
- Supervise the construction of the facilities on a day-to-day basis
- Conduct final inspections and recommend payments to contractors based on measured works
- Take into consideration the following aspects: Fire breaks, drainage systems, Sphere standards, accessibility, and environmental concerns
- Ensure the Quality Control of the implemented activities.
- Ensure maintenance of existing DRC facilities; assist the Support Office with ensuring repairs and routine maintenance is conducted on all DRC facilities
- Provide technical support for possible environmental engineering projects such as check dams and water pans
- Carry-out technical assessments
- Monitor and certify progress of works according to work schedules indicated in contracts, verify completion rates in order to release milestone payments to contractors
- Follow up of budget and costs for all assigned projects
- Regular reporting to Area Manager by copying RIC (Regional Infrastructure Manager) as per agreed format (monthly, quarterly, and yearly)
- Participate in relevant meetings
- Perform other related tasks as instructed by DRC Area Manager
Personal Specifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Architecture, Civil, Environmental, or Structural Engineering, or in Building and Construction
- Minimum 5 years working experience in the field of building and construction; experience must include design, BoQ creation, call for bids, bid analysis, contractor selection, monitoring of all day-to-day construction activities, facilitating payment to contractors, and evaluation through defects and liability period
- Demonstrated understanding of engineering, architectural, and other construction drawings
- Demonstrated understanding of building methods and elements of a construction project
- Demonstrated understanding of AutoCad software
- Decisive individual, works well under pressure, particularly when faced with unexpected events or delays
- Must have good interpersonal skills and personal integrity
- Possess good analytical, writing, and communication skills in English
- Ability to work in an economically unstable and geographically harsh environment
- Although not required, candidates with previous NGO experience in a refugee setting have an advantage
Reporting Arrangements
The Construction Officer will work closely with the Livelihoods and Protection Team Leaders, but will report directly to the Area Manager.
Local candidates encouraged to apply
Position Description
Start of Contract: 1 February 2017
Duration: 6 months
General
Commitments:
DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework into the work of DRC (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)
Posting details:
This position is field based and a non-family duty station. Kakuma lies at security phase 3.
Application Details:
Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications which should include a 1-page cover letter clearly stating their motivation and qualifications and a CV. Applications should include contact details of three professional referees who have supervised the candidate in the last five years. One referee must be the applicant’s most recent manager. Only applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.
We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. Applications should be sent no later than: 26th January, 2017.
If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact [email protected]
Danish Refugee Council does not charge any kind of fee at any stage of the recruitment process nor does it use recruitment agents.
Danish Demining Group (DDG) is widely recognised as provider of efficient and community-oriented solutions to human security problems caused by landmines and other explosive remnants of war as well as small arms and light weapons.
DDG is part of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), which is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organisation founded in 1956 that works in more than 35 countries throughout the world. We are the largest humanitarian NGO in Denmark and consistently ranked as one of the world’s best NGOs according to Global_Geneva.
We fulfil our mandate by providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations – refugees, internally displaced people and host communities in the conflict areas of the world. We also advocate on behalf of conflict-affected populations globally on the basis of humanitarian principles and the Human Rights Declaration. Our work and long-term strategies are guided by our five core values: Humanitarian approach – Respect – Independence & neutrality – Inclusion – Honesty & transparency.
More Information
- Job City Kakuma
