ACDI / VOCA Construction Engineer Job in Kenya

Vacancy: Construction Engineer

Since 1963 and in 145 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people ¡n developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy.

Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society. 

ACDI/VOCA has approximately 76 projects in 36 countries and revenues of about $170 million.

Summary: As part of the U.S. government’s expanded Feed the Future strategy in Kenya, ACDI/VOCA is implementing a five-year, USAID-funded program to increase economic growth in the counties of Marsabit and Isiolo by building a more inclusive and competitive livestock value chain.

The REGAL-AG program builds upon and deepens the USAID investment in select areas to improve the inclusiveness and competitiveness of the livestock value chain in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties while furthering livestock-related economic opportunities. 

A key focus on the project involves facilitating behavior change ¡n actors all along the chain — from livestock keepers, to middlemen, traders, transporters, and buyers — in order to improve their economic resilience and stimulate growth.

In order to garner community-driven, basic infrastructure improvement projects that will help lay the foundation for improved market access for pastoralists, 

REGAL-Accelerated Growth has established a Community Contracting Fund. This flexible contracting mechanism will provide investment in livestock-focused infrastructure in order to alleviate market constraints and benefit the local communities. 

We expect these investments to result in more efficient market places, and increased revenue for community institutions as well as county governments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Construction Engineer will manage the design, construction monitoring, and implementation of a variety of ACDI/VOCA livestock markets and productivity infrastructure projects under the REGAL-AG program. 

The primary focus and ongoing priority will be to oversee the monitoring and implementation of the livestock market infrastructure construction in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties.

The Construction Engineer will also manage other infrastructure projects related to private sector projects. 

Specific responsibilities:

• Evaluate designs, make comments, and ensure proper revisions are made by the designer
• Participate in the development of tender documents/packages for infrastructural activities
• Participate as a member of the tender evaluation committee for infrastructure projects
• Perform a comprehensive tender review and analysis to determine if the bidders have pricing irregularities or mistakes.
• Help negotiate an aggressive implementation schedule with the winning/selected construction contractor(s).
• Manage the selection of additional construction technical staff (if needed) to properly supervise the ongoing construction
• Monitor the contractor for quality of materials, quantity of materials, and review invoices for proper pricing and quality satisfactory completion.
• Prepare and submit to management all needed change orders for approval prior to changes being implemented on the ground
• Ensure that photos of all key construction activities are taken and organized for review on ACDI/VOCA5 server
• Weekly report in writing including updates on all relevant matters
• Review and certify work progress statements/payment certificates from the contractor so ACDI/VOCA can make interim payments
• In consultation with the lead engineering company and ACDI/VOCA, , review and approve material samples
• Inspect all reporting documents provided by the contractor
• Ensure all relevant parties implement the project as it is in the project design and the technical specifications. 
• Should there be a situation where the project design is not clear, the Construction Engineer should inform and recommend appropriate solutions to ACDI/VOCA
• The Construction Engineer does not have any authority to approve or disapprove any changes in the design. The Construction Engineer should first seek prior approval from the Chief of Party.
• Monitor the implementation of environmental mitigation measures during the construction process to ensure compliance with USAID and Kenyan government environmental regulations
• Monitor construction projects following completion and during the defect liability period and advice on corrections needed and their satisfactory completion.
• Submit weekly progress reports to the Chief of Party.
• Any other ad-hoc duties as agreed with ACDI/VOCA

Education & Experience Requirements

• Degree in Civil Engineering or Architecture
• At least 3 years of experience working with construction projects funded by international donors.
• Experience with USAID environmental and construction projects preferred, but not required.
• Solid general knowledge of principles and practices of engineering construction works
• Competency in spoken and written English is required
• Computer literate including familiarity with design programs such as Aut0CAD and spreadsheets
• Accurate, independent worker
• Willingness to work as needed either in the field or on detailed paperwork
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to manage a diverse range of professional relationships

To be considered for this recruitment. please e-mail your resume to regalag@joinav.org.

Please include the position title in the subject line.

No phone calls please. 

Only finalists will be contacted.

Women and minorities encouraged to apply.

EOE.

Please apply by close of business November 26 2014