Program Engineer – Kenya | ReliefWeb

Place of activity: Kakuma refugee camp, Kalobeyei integrated settlement and host communities in Turkana West Sub County.

Duration: 4 months (from September 2024) – extendable

Reporting: Area Manager

ABOUT PEACE WINDS JAPAN

Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) is a Japanese non-governmental organization founded in 1996. PWJ provides humanitarian and development assistance to people affected by forced displacement and natural disasters in more than 20 countries around the world. PWJ launched its mission in Kenya in 2012 and has since been implementing shelter, WASH and youth development projects funded by UN agencies and the Japanese government to improve the living conditions of the refuge and host populations while promoting peaceful coexistence and self-reliance in the communities in Dadaab, Kakuma and Kalobeyei. In Turkana West Sub-County, PWJ is actively engaged in promoting sustainable solutions to protracted refugee situations through its shelter and WASH projects in line with the plans and strategies of the Kenyan National Government as well as the Turkana County Government; clearly integrated into the integrated socio-economic development program for Kalobeyei in 2018.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Programme Engineer will coordinate and lead all activities related to infrastructure development within PWJ’s projects in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement and Host Community in Turkana-West Sub-County, Turkana County in Kenya. He/she will be based at the Kakuma office and will visit the sites regularly. The work will cover construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, and coordination and technical advice for the construction of permanent shelters through conditional cash transfers to refugee households.

MAIN TASKS

1. Coordination tasks

• Organize the tasks of employees in the infrastructure development team, monitor their work and guide them in the correct program implementation
• Coordinate with program team members, area manager and other relevant stakeholders in the region.
• Provide regular updates to the Area Manager on behalf of the Infrastructure Development Team.
• Coordinate with public health/WASH and finance/logistics team to ensure harmonized, smooth and transparent implementation of activities
• Develop plans to build technical skills and craftsmanship among local masons and craftsmen
• Liaison with external stakeholders, including partners and funders, regarding components of rehabilitation, construction and other engineering projects.
• Lead the handover process to local authorities and partners
• Archive relevant documents precisely and in detail
• Capacity building of colleagues

2. Documentation of engineering projects

• Plan and conduct technical assessments in target areas, collect field data, write reports and provide advice based on the conclusions drawn.
• Providing inputs for and preparing for rehabilitation and construction works on structures and WASH infrastructures as well as all other engineering works included in the programme.
• Create specifications and drafts
• Plan in close coordination with relevant stakeholders (e.g. UNHCR, partner organizations, relevant Turkana County Government departments, etc.).
• Procurement assistance; providing input and performing quality control on relevant procurement; monitoring/coordinating/supervising the delivery/distribution of materials and the construction process.
• Prepare appropriate documentation and regular/ad hoc reports as required
• Carry out the final evaluation of the work carried out

3. Supervise engineering projects

• Oversee the planning, scheduling and implementation of the technical components of the project in accordance with regulatory, funder and PWJ procedures, standards and safety requirements, and other applicable legal requirements.
• Conduct regular on-site inspections.
• Monitor and evaluate renovation and construction work according to accepted plans and other relevant documents.
• Make adjustments as needed and based on consultation with relevant stakeholders, team members and area managers.
• Ensuring accountability for building materials

QUALIFICATIONS AND PREFERRED SKILLS

Education and professional experience

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
• At least 7 years of experience in construction and civil engineering work in humanitarian and development settings.
• Membership in the engineering professional association.
• Solid experience in program implementation.
• Strong coordination skills with proven ability to work in multiple technical areas simultaneously while supporting multiple collaborators
• Ability to write high-quality technical reports.
• High-quality technical design programs (AutoCAD, SAP, Revit)
• Good experience in preparing specifications and cost estimates for construction projects
• Experience in monitoring construction progress against targets
• Experience in communicating with various stakeholders
• Experience working in industrial construction and NGOs
• Local knowledge of Turkana West is an added value.
• Commitment to beneficiary accountability and humanitarian principles

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Experience in managing personnel and project requirements
• Good communication skills, high level of organization, result orientation, responsible and reliable demeanor
• Resilience, proactive and independent working style
• Good understanding of community involvement and ability to communicate effectively and respectfully
• Ability to deal with complex situations and solve related problems

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• English: Fluent
• Swahili: native/advanced