Field Engineer

Introduction

The EU funded Support to Rural Entrepreneurship, Investment and Trade project, STREIT, in Papua New Guinea aims to contribute to the sustainable and inclusive economic development of rural areas. More specifically, it will target integration with and support to the broader work of FAO and other project partners to support cocoa, vanilla and fishery value chains. The ILO has been tasked to implement the infrastructure development component of this project thereby contributing to the overall goal of STREIT by improving transport access into the rural areas. 

The ILO inputs intend to improve access to communities and markets, in particular those linked to the project value chain development, through the rehabilitation and maintenance of transport infrastructure, including rural roads, wharves and jetties. By applying local resource-based approaches in the infrastructure works, the ILO also seeks to (i) increase participation of local communities in the planning and implementation of works, (ii) increase the creation of jobs and income by applying employment-intensive work methods and (iii) secure the involvement of the local construction industry. These approaches are expected to further support ambitions of the timely delivery of high-quality infrastructure, sustainable arrangements for its operation and maintenance and, equally important, value for money. By adding the dimensions of increased employment and income opportunities to rural households and more private sector business opportunities, the infrastructure works are expected to contribute to and create additional synergies with the sustainable and inclusive economic development ambitions of the project.

The transport component is aligned with key national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular in relation to infrastructure development and employment generation. With this focus, the ILO activities will also place emphasis on strengthening the capacity of local institutions responsible for the improvement, development and maintenance of PNGs transport infrastructure, introducing approaches relying to the extent possible on the use of local resources such as local entrepreneurs and communities. All activities will be gender-mainstreamed targeting women, youth and disadvantaged groups.

The ILO will deliver the project activities through close collaboration with government agencies, civil society as well as other UN agencies and programmes, in the spirit of the One-UN approach.

Reporting Lines

The ILO technical assistance forms an integral part of the STREIT project delivered by a host of UN agencies under the overall coordination of FAO. Within this framework, the ILO will take charge of the activities within the scope of the project infrastructure component. As such, the ILO will manage all planning and implementation activities in relation to the rehabilitation and maintenance of transport infrastructure in line with work plans, projects documents, ILO policies and strategies, and in accordance with country programmes and administrative and financial procedures. 

The infrastructure component will be delivered by an ILO technical assistance team based in Wewak, with support from the ILO office in Port Moresby, the ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries in Suva, and ILO expert teams in Bangkok and Geneva. 

Under the supervision and guidance of the Infrastructure Specialist, the Field Engineer will take charge of works operations within the infrastructure component of STREIT. The Field Engineer will be given the responsibility of a cluster and/or category of infrastructure works for which she/he will be the key resource person, including initial feasibility studies, preliminary and detailed designs, quantity surveying, preparation of contract documents, supervision and inspection of works, use of appropriate technology, conditions of employment of labour, OSH, gender, environment and other crosscutting issues related to the works.

Description of Duties

In collaboration with local authorities, technical agencies, UN agencies and local communities, and under close supervision and guidance of the Infrastructure Specialist, the Field Engineer will engage in a number of activities, including but not limited to:

• Carry out field surveys to build an inventory of the existing transport infrastructure in the project area and assess current condition of infrastructure structures and components.
• Participate in the appraisal and planning of rehabilitation works on existing infrastructure as well as the establishment of effective maintenance schemes.
• Apply appropriate technical design standards, work methods and organisation, standard bill of quantities, work norms and appropriate unit rates for the planning and design of the works.
• Carry out quantity surveys, prepare designs and cost estimates of infrastructure works, draft bidding documents and civil works contracts and review tenders.
• Plan and design structural works for bridges, culverts, drifts, jetties and other infrastructure components based on prevailing traffic, hydrological assessments and other ground conditions.

• Instruct and provide guidance to counterpart agencies, contractors and local communities on local resource-based work approaches including the use of employment-intensive work methods in the rehabilitation and maintenance of transport infrastructure.
• Organise the testing of gravel, aggregate and other building materials.  Review results of material testing and provide necessary design recommendations and work instructions.
• Organise community consultations as part of securing adequate local involvement in the planning and implementation of works.
• Supervise infrastructure works including:
  • Review contractors’ work programmes, method statements, material sources, etc. and any proposed modifications or variations.
  • Approve working drawings and approve setting out works.
  • Recommend remedial action during events or circumstances that significantly impact works in terms of quality and time.
  • Carry out or instruct appropriate quality assurance measures to secure compliance with designs, work specifications and common workmanship standards.
  • Carry out regular inspection and measurement of works, foundations, quality of materials and as-built drawings.
  • Certify and recommend payment of completed works.
  • Assess maintenance and repair work to be carried out during defects liability periods.

optional section (if needed)

• Maintain expenditure plans and update works budgets.
• Inspect working conditions at construction sites, ensuring that occupational health and safety practices are in compliance with prevailing standards.
• Monitor and report progress of work, material tests, employment generation, OSH issues, challenges and deviations from plans, designs and work plans, etc.
• Plan and manage sustainable maintenance arrangements that secure all-weather access and protect past and current infrastructure investments.
• Carry out field inspections during extreme weather to secure that rehabilitated infrastructure shows the necessary climate resilience, assessing the performance of drainage and safe discharge of water, clearance above potential flood levels, adequacy of erosion protection measures, risk of washouts, landslides or other debris compromising the function or safe use of the infrastructure.
• Recommend remedial action when there is a risk that components of inspected infrastructure may fail or cause damage to the public during extreme weather conditions.
• Participate as a resource person in technical training events for local contractors, counterpart agencies and local communities, including the development of training material and translations into local languages.

Required qualifications

Completion of Secondary education or higher education in civil engineering. University degree in civil engineering.

Experience

Six years of general experience including at least two years of specific experience in planning and supervising Roads and Transport Infrastructure Works

Technical requirements

• Good knowledge of planning and implementation of road construction and maintenance works.
• Good understanding of asset management for public infrastructure and how this translates into effective maintenance strategies.
• Good understanding of the planning and implementation of employment-intensive public works is considered an asset.
• Proficient in community and project stakeholder consultations.

Languages

Good command of English.  Knowledge of the main local language(s) is preferable.

Competencies

• Effective supervisory skills and ability to interpret project information to identify and analyse challenges as a basis for finding appropriate solutions and provide guidance and support to technical agencies, contractors, local communities and workers involved in infrastructure works.
• Ability to work independently with a clear focus on reaching defined outputs in a timely manner as agreed in contract documents and work plans.
• Ability to establish priorities and to efficiently plan, organise, coordinate and monitor works activities.
• Ability to work in a team and maintain effective working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Good understanding of gender and minority issues, gender mainstreaming and equal opportunity principles and approaches.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Computer literacy.