Jamaica: Shelter and WASH Engineer

Organization: Habitat for Humanity International
Country: Jamaica
Closing date: 10 Oct 2014

Location:Portmore, Project Braced JAMAICA

Position Name: Shelter and WASH Engineer (SWE)

Objective:Lead the design and vetting of all Shelter and Water/Sanitation projects, as part of the neighborhood based redevelopment effort in each community.

OVERALL PURPOSE:

The BRACED project introduces a neighborhood-based approach to urban disaster risk reduction through a collaborative partnership with local actors Over a 33 month period, the project will work within Gregory Park, Newlands, and Naggo Head neighborhoods to develop community redevelopment plans, supported by a suite of DRR-oriented shelter improvements, community projects, and awareness programming targeting the residents of urban settlements facing high levels of risk exposure.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Overall responsibility of the position is to lead the design, coordination and implementation of the WASH and Shelter aspects of the project which is not limited to but includes house and building retrofits, repairs, construction of VIDPs, water testing and community training. The SWE will also vet the effectiveness of community identified micro project designs, providing advice to community members while overseeing contractor construction activities. THE SWE will play a major role in the overall urban redevelopment process with focus on Disaster Risk Reduction.

MAIN ACTIVITIES:

Water and Sanitation sector:

• Consult with community representatives about access, design and management of water systems and sanitation facilities, as well as hygiene promotion needs.
• Design and implement (at household level) water storage, treatment and distribution systems - potable / other uses.
• Design and implement sanitation systems for household and/or communal toilets, household liquid and solid wastes and community facilities, including drainage and vector control and in close coordination with health and education services.
• Assess condition, set up maintenance systems, train staff and arrange repairs of tanks, pumps, generators, pipe networks, drainage systems and water quality testing equipment.
• Prepare technical drawings, BOQ, specifications for water and sanitation infrastructure.
• Develop, negotiate and manage contracts with service providers (may include preparing
• Liaise with other agencies, government bodies to ensure coordination and works suitability. Participate in or facilitate Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) coordination meetings, training events and workshops.

Shelter sector:

• Lead the shelter (re)development component of the project for homeowner repair and reconstruction using disaster resilient building techniques (designs budgeting and costing, BoQ, supervision of works, etc)
• Lead the construction scheduling, site planning, training of homeowners and skilled labor, and quality assurance.
• Lead the household infrastructure hazard mitigation component (retrofitting for 250 households)
• Support the Project Coordinator in the design of a Financial Assistance Products for Safer Shelter to increase household’s access to financial services.

Training

• Design and implement Community Builder Training for local semi-skilled and unskilled builders in DRR-appropriate construction methods.
• Assist in the implementation of a Professional Construction Training for semi-experienced and professionalized trainees to develop certified skills in plumbing, masonry, and carpentry.
• Organize, implement and assist in training events and refresher training to beneficiaries in WASH techniques and practices

Supervising

• Supervise and support the activities of the Shelter Assistant Engineer
• Ensure that staff adheres to the ethics and principles with respect to community engagement and transparency
• Keep records of supervision and actions taken from own activities and activities of the subordinates

Management

• Write weekly and monthly reports on project activities, documenting progress against indicator achievement
• Relationship building, negotiation and problem solving with authorities and contractors.

Other Responsibilities

• Be involved in future planning
• Assist in carrying out assessments/surveys (baseline house hold surveys. Hazard mapping exercise, etc)
• Participate in regular staff meetings and to discussion project progress and suggest alternatives for the solution of identified obstacles

SKILLS:

Essential

• Civil or Structural Engineering Degree, specializing in shelter and/or water and sanitation.
• 5 years senior work experience in shelter and/or water and sanitation projects.
• Working skills with Word, Excel, MS Project, MS Outlook
• Working knowledge of construction costing tools or systems,
• Working knowledge of design software such as AutoCad, Sketchup, or similar
• Self-motivated, desires to serve the community, especially marginalized and vulnerable families.
• Willing to be trained, able to learn from mistakes and capable of listening to criticism.
• Willing to be a facilitator to community level participants
• Flexible and willing to work in difficult and busy environment.
• Sound knowledge of team management and supervision
• Able to lead urban redevelopment interventions at different locations.

Desirable

• Demonstrable skills in working in a complex and multi-facetted environment
• Previous experience working with international teams.
• Experience in shelter, disaster risk reduction or disaster response programs.
• Experience in team leadership and management.

How to apply:

Application Deadline: Friday October 10th, 2014

Application Process: Submit CV, motivation letter and other supporting documents recruitment.projectbraced@gmail.com