Water Engineer

About Mercy Corps

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 Ethiopia since 2004, working in rural, peri-urban and urban areas in five regional states – Somali, Oromia, Afar, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples, Amhara – and the capital city of Addis Ababa. We engage in both development and humanitarian work, and seek to integrate approaches, programs and geographies as much as possible. Our partners include government, academic institutions, development and private sector actors, civil societies and communities. Mercy Corps envisions contributing to the emergence of a peaceful, prosperous, and resilient Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic focus in the country includes catalyzing economic opportunities, improving water security, promoting peace and good governance and enhancing food security and nutrition.

Mercy Corps’ Resilience in Pastoral Areas (RIPA) program is a five-year USAID-funded initiative that aims to improve the resilience capacities of households, markets and governance institutions across 22 woredas in the Somali, Afar and Oromia regions. Under RIPA, we are aiming to improve water security in Shabelle Zone of Somali Region through identifying and building resilient and safe water systems for human consumption and productive use.

A water supply project for Adadle town is part of the RIPA program.  The design of the Adadle water supply project is anticipated to be completed in the coming months with the following components:

• An intake on the Shebelle River near Gode, approximately 15 km north of Adadle
• Replacement of an abandoned Water Treatment Plant (WTP)
• Transmission Pipelines
• Booster Pump Station
• Storage Tanks
• Water Distribution Systems (piping and distribution points)

General Position Summary

The Water Engineer will be responsible for coordinating management of the design contract and will also be responsible for construction management and inspection.   Tasks the Water Engineer will lead or be engaged in are likely to include: 

• Assisting with prequalification of contractors
• Preparation and/or review of construction contract documents
• Construction observation and associated documentation
• Coordination of testing and quality control during construction
• Communication and coordination with regional water authority, donor and Mercy Corps team.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Program Management

• Provide technical guidance on prequalification and selection of a qualified contractor.
• Responsible for overseeing the daily implementation of construction activities and progress.
• Lead on the recruitment of Site Assistants if determined necessary.
• Develop and maintain good lines of communication and relationships with local authorities, local community and contractror.
• Supervise and be responsible for all technical aspects of project implementation, ensure they are completed in a timely, efficient and accurate manner according to standard engineering methods and Mercy Corps Infrastructure Standards.
• Regularly update project implementation plans to program leadership with associated timelines.
• Ensure a safe working environment for all people involved in project implementation.
• Responsible for maintaining detailed work plans and written records of engineering work undertaken in the project. Including weekly and monthly progress reports.
• Responsible to resolve any field issues with contractors in a timely and effective manner
• Prepare payment progress reports based on BoQ and actual work performed by the contractor for payment
• Responsible for a high degree of awareness regarding the security situation in the project area. Based upon this knowledge, take adequate measures to ensure the safety of the public, beneficiaries, and all MC staff and equipment. 
• Follow all MC protocols and regulations according to guidance provided by the direct supervisor.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Ensure compliance with USAID environmental compliance requirements and construction guidelines.

 Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country.
• 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.
• 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

Supervise technical staff as required.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Water Security Manager

Technical Reporting: Senior Infrastructure Engineer.

Works Directly With: Contractor, Technical Managers, Technical Team, Implementation Team, SMT, Operations Team, Procurement Team, Global Infrastructure Team

Knowledge and Experience

• University degree in civil or related engineering.
• Minimum eight years work experience in engineering project implementation and construction supervision.
• Spoken and written English proficiency is essential.
• Proficiency in a variety of local languages preferred.
• Physically able to spend the long periods of time in the field.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will be able carry on the vision of the engineering department; provide leadership and motivation; be able to train and capacity-build staff; and ensure that projects are planned appropriately and delivered to a high quality.