ORGANISATION SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps Europe, formerly known as Mercy Corps Scotland, has been operational in Sudan since 2009 and currently leads humanitarian assistance efforts in conflict-affected South Darfur and South Kordofan States, supporting IDPs, returnees, refugees and host communities. Mercy Corps is also engaged in the South Sudanese refugee response in refugee camps across White Nile State.  Mercy Corps’ current areas of programming include food security and livelihoods, WASH, nutrition, peace building and protection. 

PROGRAM SUMMARY 

Mercy Corps is leading a consortium with VSF Germany and three National Partners in a four-year, €12M Euro, EC-Funded food security program in the Darfur Region of Sudan. The program is designed to contribute to sustainable and resilient livelihoods and food security in rural communities most affected by food insecurity, climate change and conflicts in South & Central Darfur states. To align with the current humanitarian situation, the program shall also undertake multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA) targeting the newly displaced, most vulnerable households. 

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Mercy corps Europe is looking for an experienced and qualified Sudanese to fill in the position of Senior Site Engineer. The primary focus of the Senior Site Engineer is to support the implementation of SMART -supported construction activities from design to implementation, including logistics and monitoring. The Site Engineer will ensure quality programming through rigorous field visits and supervision of SMART-supported construction activities within Central and South Darfur States. S/he will have direct responsibility for overseeing construction of water catchment and farm-level infrastructure and other related construction/rehabilitation works. S/he will be supported by other SMART program staff and supervised by the SMART Program Director in Nyala, South Darfur State. S/he will establish/strengthen good working relationships with all necessary stakeholders including the community and Government offices at all levels, the Contractors, and others. S/he will have to coordinate closely with the Community Mobilization and program team and ensure that all projects implemented are demand-driven and communities comply with MC requirements in terms of contribution. Construction fraud is a serious concern in Sudan, and the Engineer will ensure that potential fraud is quickly identified, and all possible precautionary measures are in place to prevent fraud.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

Program: 

• Read and interpret engineering plans and technical specifications and translate them into actionable items and workplans
• Carryout preliminary survey for various engineering related activity sites and identify construction related standards that are relate to site that have to be taken into consideration 
• In coordination with other program staff, develop construction plans and material estimates (Bills of Quantities-BoQs)
• Report the status of all active construction projects on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
• Determine and calculate construction materials usage and make timely procurement/supply requests to ensure work does not come to a standstill or materials are not left unused for long
• Assess construction of Market Infrastructures to ensure that they are suitable for the desired constructions
• Inspect and monitor work of contractors regularly for quality assurance and maintain good working relationship with contractors to ensure reasonable value for money
• Review construction materials testing, interpret the results of such tests and ensure they are according to set standards
• Establish and adhere to project implementation schedules to ensure timely output delivery
• Support tendering and procurement processes for construction activities
• Responsible for the daily implementation of engineering related project activities and monitor progress at assigned works
• Mobilize community to fully participate in the project implementation including in-kind contribution for items such as local materials and local labor to ensure sustainability and participate in community construction management committee meetings.
• 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.
• Ensure that environmental aspect of project sites are well incorporated during construction and post construction phase, and that environmental mitigation plans for impacts are developed and are followed
• Monitor and advise on construction safety practices
• Ensure an integrated approach to program implementation in order to maximize resource utilization and synergy between the staff and different MC programs in the area

Partnership Management: 

• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with village, Unit, locality and state level leaders, relevant ministries, engineering/ construction and agriculture departments in the state, soliciting their full support and participation in all activities where appropriate
• Make on-site field visits regularly to provide technical review and/or resolve emerging issues
• Work with Mercy Corps technical staff in order to develop potential projects, implement and closely monitor program activities including detailed work plans.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Create a dynamic program environment that promotes inquiry
• Take primary responsibility for data gathering in engineering related works
• Provide data in support of team submission of timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation.
• Work with the Engineering Programs Advisor to ensure accurate and timely flow of information from the field for entry in the database and for preparation of PR materials

Security:

• Be fully aware of the security situation of the area and follow all precautionary procedures. 
• Personal safety is the top priority. The incumbent is clearly advised not to take any risk whatsoever of personal insecurity at no time and under no circumstances.

Organizational Learning:

As part of Mercy Corps’ 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 SMART program, Mercy Corps as a whole as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards 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.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Director-SMART,

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Consortium Director, MEL Officer, Market Integration Officers, Environment and NRM Officers, Gender officer and other support department staff.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: 

• University degree in Civil or Construction Engineering 
• At least 5 years of professional relevant experience, including buildings/ community structures, road and concrete construction, supervision works and multiple construction projects.
• Experience working with an international NGO and working directly with communities will be an advantage
• Willingness to work in and frequently travel to the field spending most time there.
• Ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people and monitor contractors.
• Skills in networking, teamwork, and community consultations essential.
• Good reporting, communication and representation skills. 
• Good computer skills including proficiency with various engineering software and MS Office Suite 
• Good verbal and written English and Arabic, communication, organizational, prioritization and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated flexibility, creativity and enthusiasm as well as a willingness to learn and to be continually adaptive within a dynamic and often self-directed working environment.
• Good knowledge and experience of south Kodofan state and local context is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applying Do No harm frameworks concepts and approaches in high-risk security areas is an advantage. 

SUCCESS FACTORS:

• Strong leadership working with operation and program staff.
• Capacity to represent MC Europe with government officials, partners and leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with team members and other stakeholders.
• Flexibility, adaptability and creativity in planning and problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability work independently and effectively in extreme conditions.
• Proven ability to take initiative and be accountable for results.
• Ability to grasp and understand program details.
• Good temperament and a good sense of humor appreciated.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

Ongoing learning in support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

SAFEGUARDING & ETHICS

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis. As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

LIVING CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The position is based in Zalengei, Central Darfur with travels to other parts of Sudan.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short term assignment 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.