Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since August 2007, with a staff of approximately 200 people working in North and South Kivu Provinces. Mercy Corps’ national office is in Goma with a provincial office in Bukavu and field offices in Mweso, Masisi (North Kivu). Current Mercy Corps activities focus on the provision of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in camps of internally displaced people and affected communities, but also large-scale WASH infrastructure and service delivery development in urban centers. Mercy Corps also has Food Security, Economic Recovery/ Development programs, with an increasing shift towards transitional and integrated development programming. The DRC team has a strong commitment to providing entrepreneurial and innovative solutions to development challenges, and is actively seeking and facilitating market-based solutions.
In 2008, Mercy Corps and USAID launched a project to rehabilitate and extend the municipal water system of Goma. In 2013, Mercy Corps signed a 36 million British Pounds grant agreement with UKAID to rehabilitate the Drinking Water Supply and Treatment Systems in Goma and Bukavu in the Eastern Part of Congo. The integrated program involves designing, rehabilitating, extending and constructing of urban water and sanitation infrastructure as well as working to reform management structures to ensure that the systems are managed profitably and sustainably while addressing issues concerning Governance, Behavior Change Communication and crosscutting gender aspects.
The water infrastructure components will be delivered by the design/tender/construct model. The final design for all infrastructure improvements has been completed and approved. Construction management services will be provided by a selected Consultant reporting to Mercy Corps Deputy Programme Director who is responsible for delivering the IMAGINE infrastructure components. Mercy Corps DRC seeks a Senior Engineer with strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach aligned to servicing the delivery of MC’s IMAGINE program.
General Position Summary
For the implementation of the Imagine Program Project within the department of Infrastructure, Mercy Corps is searching for experienced professional Project Manager Engineering, with architectural/ urban planning and civil / structural engineering under FIDIC (Fédération Internationale Des Ingénieurs-Conseils) standard contracts management background with profound international experience and a proven track record in the management of construction, rehabilitation and extension of Urban Water Supply, Treatment and Distribution Infrastructure.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
- Oversee field construction activities which are managed by a Construction Management Consultant under contract and identify/resolve problems before they become critical
- Establish internal project schedule for comparison with Consultant construction schedule and subsequent updates
- Liaise with regulatory and governmental entities as well as partner NGO’s conducting similar work in adjacent sections of the city. Prepare donor reports as directed.
- Review and process requests for information in a timely manner
- Review submittals, inspect sample materials and maintain thorough submittals log
- Preparation and verification of pay requests and preparation of any documentations and/or reports relating to change orders, and the preparation of any reports and/or documentations in the event of a construction claim by the contractor. Check quantities in relation to invoiced amounts and prepare payment requests
- Prepare variation requests, ensure all supporting documentation is provided and develop recommendations for action by the Deputy Programme Manager
- Preparation of any reports and/or documentations in the event of a construction claim by the contractor
- Oversee material testing and maintain comprehensive records of testing results
- Supervise site inspector(s)
- Review submitted Quality Control Plans
- Supervise specialty inspections including foundations, welding, reinforcement and leakage testing
- Review Daily Field Reports and Certification of Work to ensure they are complete and files, collaborate and review certifications, supporting documents, invoices, and deliverables – ensure they are organized, filed monthly, and lead Monthly Progress Summaries
- Prepare other internal reports as required
- Keep the Deputy Programme Manager constantly appraised of both evolving projects site risk and site safety issues
- Assist with resolving non-conformances, generate nonconformance reports, ensure they are provided to and approved by the document author and logged. Initiate resolution to constructability issues or differing field conditions. Ensure inspector(s) are performing as-built drawings and organizing Project construction documents
- Oversee start up and commissioning activities
- Coordinate operator training for utility staff.
- Ensure all project deliverables including manuals, training guides, spare parts and tools are received prior to project closure.
- Perform specific Deputy Programme Director duties, as directed, in his absence.
Program Management
- Oversee and manage the works and consultant contracts;
- Ensure works and consultants contracts are implemented as contracted;
- Maintain and review program workplans for the entire implementation of the project duration;
- Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with development partners and Mercy Corps policies and procedures;
- Ensure quality control and Health-Safety-Security and Environment standards.
Team Management
- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
- Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
- Supervise and orient new team members as necessary.
- Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
- Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
Finance & Compliance Management
- Ensure compliance with development partners and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming;
- Oversee and ensure contractual procedure for interim payment certificates with supporting documentation for works and consultant contracts;
- Review scope of work and manage technical consultants, works contractors including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
Influence & Representation
- Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
- Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
- Attend regular construction meetings
- Host donor visits to observe project progress
Security
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
- Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
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 toward 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, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Supervisory Responsibility
Site Engineers, QA/QC Engineers, Environment Engineers, Consultants and Works Contractors.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Deputy Director Program Infrastructure
Works Directly With: Program Director, Deputy Director Program Infrastructure, Site Engineers, QA/QC Engineers and Program Managers and Program Team members.
Knowledge and Experience
- Relevant University degree (Architecture/ Civil Engineering/ Disaster Management);
- 5-7 years’ experience in demonstrated experience working as a Project Manager in experience in Sub-Sahara Africa, South America or Asia, preferably in a development or humanitarian context;
- Demonstrable technical experience, particularly in Urban Drinking Water Supply and Water Treatment Projects under FIDIC (Fédération Internationale Des Ingénieurs-Conseils) standard contracts and International Development funded projects, with 5-7 years’ professional experience;
- Knowledge of / experience with participatory methodologies;
- Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spread sheets, word-processing, program management, electronic drawing-processing, e-mail);
- Demonstrable skills and expertise in capacity building in development and emergencies;
- Good skills in training, facilitation and presentations;
- Skills in mentoring and developing staff;
- Creativity and the ability to work with limited resources;
- Fluency in spoken and written English and/ or French / Kiswahili;
- Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders.
Success Factors
The successful Program Manager Engineering will combine strong team playing, engineering and project management skills with a highly collaborative and program focused approach and be experienced in maintaining stakeholder relationships.
She/he will have an outstanding ability to recognize potential challenges then develop, promote consensus and manage solutions within the IMAGINE implementation program for the Water Supply Treatment Distribution Project.
She/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and strong mentoring skills. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail whilst maintaining budget and schedule are essential.
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.
She/he will have a strong commitment to quality control and Health-Safety-Security and Environment standards.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Goma, DRC and it requires up to 30% travel either to Bukavu and Kinshasa. This is an unaccompanied position and is eligible to R&R.
While conditions in the country are improving, and security is quite stable in Goma, there is mounting insecurity and violence in parts of the country. Mercy Corps’ sub-offices experience variable levels of insecurity, with the situation closely monitored by UN peacekeepers. Years of conflict and corruption have badly damaged the country’s infrastructure. Air travel is necessary to get from one end of the country to the other and some field locations. There are virtually no telephone landlines in the DRC, though mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is limited, but available in all Mercy Corps offices. Travel to field sites will be required where living conditions are clean and secure, but basic. There are a number of health services available with several evacuation options for serious illnesses. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods, although they can be expensive.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
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More Information
- Job City Goma
