Technical Officer Shelter and Construction at Plan International

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian non-governmental organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And its girls who are most affected. Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries. Child protection is key in all that we do.

Working in Zambia since 1996, Plan International Zambia’s development and capacity building programmes focus primarily on Education, Health, Water and Sanitation, Economic Security and Youth Empowerment, including Child Protection and Participation. Plan International Zambia has programme areas (PAs) in; Central, Luapula, and Eastern Provinces including in Lusaka, where the Country Office is located.

We are looking for experienced, innovative, motivated, self-starter individuals to fill the following position:

Technical Officer Shelter and Construction – Mantapala Refugee Settlement, Luapula Province

Position Description:

This position will be responsible for overseeing Plan International’s technical support schools that host Congolese refugees in Northern Zambia. The position will also be responsible for regular monitoring of implementation and budget, as well as promoting accountability to communities, especially children. This position will work closely with the Ministry of Education and will liaise with existing refugee education international and national actors.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical supervision of construction works.
• Ensure shelter construction is in accordance with design specifications through site visits.
• Prepare field reports and maintain a filing system for project documentation.
• Evaluate and process recommendations for payments for skilled and unskilled labor.
• Ensure that design concerns raised by hired labor or beneficiaries are raised to the Emergency Response Manager.
• Coordinate with the District Building in the Office of District Education Board Secretary concerning all Technical aspects of project implementation.
• Promote safety driven construction practices (safety culture) by regular review of project site safety initiatives and compliance by contractor.
• Preparation of  risk assessment and mitigation reports related to the construction activities
• Prepare weekly construction reports on all individual units being constructed.
• Must demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, or extensive equivalent experience
• Minimum of five years’ relevant work experience
• Knowledge of local building design standards; experience with humanitarian shelter a plus.
• Proven ability to build/work in a team and to manage and motivate personnel drawing on individual skills to advance agendas and problem solving.
• Familiarity with affected population’s culture, ability to develop the respect from a wide range of people and to communicate effectively on appropriate shelter solutions.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Strong knowledge and experience of working with local/community partners.
• Fluency in English with good verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience with assessments and analytical and planning skills.
• Effective inter-personal skills and consensus-building.

.