The Organization

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian 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 it’s 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 support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years, and are now active in more than 80 countries.

Role Purpose

The job holder is responsible to technically to handle the design, working drawing development, and the overall field construction related works to the solar powered climate resilient and gender sensitive of the assigned WASH project efficiently and effectively at the PA level to meet the intended goal of the project by leading and handling  the project technical components, for the PIE and other regional stake holders in line with the country strategy to meet the donor compliance requirements to benefit the target community. In doing this, S/he is responsible and accountable to facilitate: 

• Provision technical Leadership for the construction related Solar powered Water supply installations. 

•  Design, develop working drawing, create and maintain solar powered water supply project construction tasks in a safe, timely and sustainable manner 

• Effective and smooth technical communication between the CO, the project area and the project technical teams 

• Survey sites and create site layouts 

• Conduct on site investigations and analyze data (maps, reports, tests, drawings and other) 

• Carry out technical and feasibility studies and draw up blueprints that satisfy technical specifications 

• Assess potential risks, materials, costs etc. and provide advice and resolve creatively any emerging problems/deficiencies 

• Monitor progress and compile writing periodic quality reports on findings and in project status 

• Conduct quality control on the suitability of material (e.g. metals for construction purposes) and inspect projects 

• Ensure environmental and other regulations are met in construction and production projects concerning the national & international standards 

• Working hand in hand with the WASH teams’ hand in heads and all staff for the benefit of Girls and children 

• Prepare the technical monitoring and evaluation templates of the project deliverables and producing consolidated narrative reports for financial and physical progress to the PA  

• Participate the proposal development, project evaluation and need assessment sessions at the PA level 

• Comply with guidelines and regulations including permits, safety etc and deliver technical files and other technical documentation as required 

As a result, her or his work directly advances the Plan's goals and provides effective technical guidance and support for the successful implementation of the WASH projects in Gambella Regional State as a stand-alone WASH programme of the Plan's humanitarian and development nexus project within the framework of the Plan Ethiopia Country Strategic Plan 

Accountabilities and MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES 

The Construction Specialist is accountable for the overall technical aspects of the Humanitarian and Development Nexus WASH Project with respect to construction components  for Solar Powered Water Supply Project where S/he assigned, will be facilitating the efficient and effective implementation of the entitled WASH Project to meet the aim of providing sustainable and climate-resilient solar powered water supply systems, sanitation and hygiene promotion services for the target communities to contribute to Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus. As a result, the post holder required and specifically responsible to facilitate the smooth and sound technical management of the project at the CO and the PA level with a special focus of quality project out puts, smooth communication, cross-learning, downward accountability, project monitoring & evaluation aspects, and producing consolidated narrative reports for both financial and physical aspects of the project. S/he will be responsible that coordinating his/her technical team to ensure quality project implementation. The role post holder is expected to have experience in the following areas: 

Planning, strategy, and policy (10%) 

• Technically responsible for the development of the assigned WASH technical design, site management, quality project outputs, and work strategies 

• In coordination with the PA technical team, develop standard WASH infrastructures designs according to the need in the field, the national and international standards.   

• Participate, support, and fully engage on shaping the technical design of WASH projects and writing technical sections of proposals  

• Ensures the adherences of the donor technical compliance in accordance with the national standard 

• Support on representing Plan’s WASH work and proposals to donors and potential partners and at field level, while coaching other Plan International programme staff to do likewise at field level  

• Foster productive relationships with Plan International WASH staff, WASH sectoral networks, donors and other actors  

• Stay up to date with key WASH sectoral trends to ensure that proposals are informed by best practice and underpinned by robust theories of change and M&E frameworks  

• Adhere to prescribed quality standards for construction of all water and sanitation structures, ensuring appropriate maintenance and sustainable processes are established 

• Support the continual improvement of the processes and the technical implementation of the WASH programme 

• Assist in development of new proposals, linked to the country strategy, in conjunction with the thematic sector lead, the relevant field manager and Sector Lead 

• Contribute towards preparation of technical designs by collecting relevant reports, site layouts, sketches, working drawings, in collaboration with PA WASH technical team 

• Prepare payment sheets, Bill of Quantities (BoQs) including materials, costing and work specifications 

• Contribute towards preparation of technical designs by collecting relevant reports, maps, drawings, geologic data, in collaboration with WASH PA team 

• Prepare regular technical reports on WASH activities and progress to WASH PA team 

• Conduct periodic technical visits to implementation sites (districts and locations) to understand the reality, provide on-site advice/support and come up with recommendations for program quality improvement 

• Technically support the development of annual operational plans and the regular internal program planning and review meetings weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual PIE reports 

• Develop DIP for the proposed work activities in line with the assigned budget  

• Conduct periodic technical visits to implementation sites (districts and locations) to understand the reality, provide on-site advice/support and come up with recommendations for program quality improvement 

Program Management & Coordination – 20% 

The position will be the budget holder for the Program Area level responsibilities. Therefore S/he will be: 

• Responsible to overview technically all construction tasks for the dispensed WASH project activities and operations  

• Manage field construction activities and implement engineering designs 

• Responsible to work with program managers, Thematic Sector Lead, Program technical Coordinators, and officers. 

• Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in all aspects of the project 

• Ensure the adherence of Protection, and gender-sensitive approach during all program cycle management. 

• Responsible to attend WASH coordination meetings at the PA level 

• Expected to jointly work with the WASH technical team based at PA 

• Identify WASH program hydrogeology component of supplies needs in the facilities and coordinate with the logistics team to put in place a sensible phased procurement plan. 

• Support in preparation of master budget, monitoring and reviewing expenditure in consultation with the finance team 

• Support the assurance of the regular revision of the Detail Implementation Plan (DIP) based on the dynamic context in the Implementation area.  

• S/he will be ensuring effective information sharing and learning across agencies including providing monthly and quarterly technical updates on project activities for internal consumption 

• Establish strong working relationships with all implementing partners and stakeholders of the project, and develop an in-depth understanding of the activities. 

• Organize project technical aspects planning & monitor meetings with staff, partners, and stakeholders. 

• Update Project Outline with any significant changes in context and secure the required timely approval   

• Participate in coordination and cluster meetings when required 

• Coordinate the writing and submission of regular technical reports to the PA  

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions. 

• Willing to take disciplined risks and ready to take additional organizational assignments 

RESOURCE MOBILIZATION – 20% 

• Participate in resources mobilization and develop humanitarian and development nexus WASH funding project for the field areas through conducting rapid needs assessments and writing concept notes and proposals, submit timely to country office team based on the national and regional appeal and resources gaps.   

• Undertaking quality and reliable technical feasibility studies and prepare designs and bills of quantities and tender documents for WASH in emergency project to facilitate humanitarian and development nexus WASH projects at all levels based on Plans’ corporate procedures to enhance resource mobilization efforts to save the lives of disaster affected children and communities.   

• Map partner’s in order to identify potential grant for emergency response WASH projects and enhance partnership.  

• Technically ensure that humanitarian and development nexus WASH projects are implemented in compliance with donor requirements and in line with Plan’s grant management systems. 

• Ensure efficient utilization of humanitarian and development nexus WASH projects grant funds for WASH in close collaboration with all relevant staff at the country and field levels.    

• As part of donor compliance and tools for maintain good relation with donors to run smooth resource mobilization, prepare and submit periodic quality technical reports in a timely manner according to the requirements. 

 Stakeholder Coordination – 10% 

• Establish effective working relationships with the government counterparts, implementing partners, private and public sectors, consultants, and other development organizations and target populations in the program operation at PA Level. 

• Coordinate between the project area WASH project team to maintain consistent delivery standards and good working relationships. 

• Represent the Plan International team in meetings with the donor and with implementing partner at the program area Level 

• Work with the implementation partners to identify and address potential capacity building and/or support needs 

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, and external partners and supporters. 

• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength. 

• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to. 

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity. 

Staff Development and Management – 10% 

• Actively participate in the programme team meetings in an open, cooperative and proactive manner and contribute towards ensuring smooth departmental collaboration and coordination as far as the humanitarian and development nexus WASH response is concerned.  

• Ensure equal and fair opportunities and representation of both sexes and persons with disabilities in the WASH and related emergency response projects and programs. 

• Organize regular performance review meetings to assess emergency response resource mobilization and project implementation progress and communicate any changes in strategy with the key project stakeholders particularly donors and national forums. 

• Build the technical capacity of the WASH staff and community facilitators and also ensure possible active benefices involvement in the pre and post assessment conceptualization, development, management, monitoring and evaluation of WASH emergency response projects and program.  

• Appraise field-based WASH project team performance and ensure capacity building support is provided regular competency update as per the stated level of management. 

• Develop WASH learning needs assessment and capacity building plans for both Save the Children and partner’s staff, linking capacity building initiatives to wider opportunities identified via coordination and networks. 

• Coach and mentor WASH technicians, coordinators, officers as well as their national level counterparts. 

• Oversee development of technical training material that will improve the different components of WASH portfolio within PIE. 

Monitoring and Evaluation Systems – 20% 

• Put in place a sector Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan, ensuring this links to reporting requirements, and capacity build technical field staff in carrying out the work 

• Ensure the recommended practices of Core Humanitarian Standard for quality and accountability (CHS) and WASH sphere standards being both of them are quality assurance monitoring and evaluation tools for the humanitarian response. 

• Prepare and document quality and timely case studies for the interest of donors and learning purpose in and outside Plan staff. 

• In close consultation with program quality and emergency response teams at all levels, establish community feedback mechanism for the technical elements of quality and accountability and monitor its operationalization 

• Establish country specific and updated assessment based national database and provide support for program area staff which are relevant for Humanitarian and Development nexus WASH and other humanitarian responses.  

• Identify, document and disseminate best practices from within and outside Plan to staff and other relevant partners. 

• Prepare and submit quality periodic technical reports for all Humanitarian and Development nexus WASH projects in a timely manner according to Plan International, donor and government requirements. 

• Ensure all emergency response project documentation is filed and organised to serve as a reference for accountability and bases for learning, sharing and dissemination. 

Network and Representation – 10% 

• Represent PIE as per the delegation of the line mangers in WASH clusters and forums at regional level for all humanitarian and development nexus WASH intervention. 

•  Represent the project and liaise with government stakeholders, donors, partners, national offices, and any other relevant project stakeholders as per the delegation of the line mangers. 

• Participate and coordinate as per the delegation of the line mangers the Cluster group meetings as per the delegation the line mangers in WASH, and Protection Sector. 

• Clearly promote Climate resilience, Gender sensitive and child protection programing issues across the work of participants. 

• Support partners in understanding plans’ gender equality strategy and program criteria and capacity-building activities on gender as part of the regular work at the representation level. 

• Ensure the representation of Plan Ethiopia in implementing region from gender equality and their rights perspectives. 

• Establish and lead strong and smooth partnerships and networks with likeminded NGOs, government bodies and forums for cross learning, identification of lessons learned, best practices, resources mobilization and scaling-up to enhance program initiatives. 

• Network effectively with others to draw information and knowledge for the response projects and strategy development. 

Gender Equality, Safeguarding and Inclusion (GESI), & Safeguarding Children and Young People – 5%  

• Understand and put into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding, Child Protection and GESI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC). 

• Ensure that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in day-to-day work. 

• Ensure that Plan Ethiopia contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GESI making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted. 

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications/ experience essential:

• Educational Qualification and Experience

• Poses a minimum of a University Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, with a minimum of 5 years relevant to Solar Powered Water Supply Project construction tasks

• Demonstrated solid experience in the design, implementation and supervision of large size Solar Powered Water Supply Project

• Ability to work in adverse weather and occasional overtime and weekends

• Proven capacity to supervise, train and coach staff in WASH related construction technical skills

Knowledge

• Good knowledge of the attributes of ores, soil, minerals and other materials

• Practical experience in construction industry especially in water works.

• Extensive knowledge on Climate resilient Gender transformative WASH, and the sector dynamics.

• Understanding of Core Humanitarian Standards which are workable by sector. 

• Knowledge of human resource and coordination role from general and organization perspectives.

• Understand organizational principles, systems and have the ability to provide leadership and support to staff working at community level for disaster affected population.

• Knowledge of child-rights programming particularly Child Protection in Emergency, CPiE

• Knowledge of participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Research systems and processes

Skills to the Post

• Proven experience as a geologist

• Experience with various geological techniques like mining, boring and numerical modeling

• Proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications like using geology software (e.g. AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, ETABS, SAP, ArcGIS, Microsoft Excel, Word PowerPoint etc.)

• Familiarity with engineering drawings

• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with colleagues

• Have good writing and oral communication skills, including presentation.

• Experiences in resource mobilization through preparation of Humanitarian and Development Nexus WASH Project proposals.

• Proven working experience in civil engineering

• Understands budgetary processes including planning, monitoring and reporting.

• Ability to provide team leadership and communicate effectively.

• Ability to conduct assessment, analyze information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically.

• An analytical mind & attention to detail

Competencies

• High language proficiency of all skills, able to perform under stress and supervision in remote environment, innovative, build relationships, communicate effectively, coach and mentor, facilitate change, develop teams, initiate action, strategic decision making, planning and organizing and a personal commitment to children’s development

Values

Commitment to Plan Ethiopia Values:

• Integrity

• Unity/Oneness

• Accountability

• Excellence

• Embracing Change

• Speed/Agility

Please click on this link to review the full job description; Link

Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) (5%)

• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

• Ensures that all staff signed safeguarding policies;

• Implement Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in day to day work.

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

We create a climate of trust inside and outside the organisation by being open, honest and transparent. We hold ourselves and others to account for the decisions we make and for our impact on others, while doing what we say we will do.

We strive for lasting impact

We strive to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. We challenge ourselves to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative.

We work well together

We succeed by working effectively with others, inside and outside the organisation, including our sponsors and donors. We actively support our colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. We come together to create and implement solutions in our teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities and our partners.

We are inclusive and empowering

We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge inequality in our programmes and our workplace. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.

How to Apply

The closing date for the application is September 24, 2023. Qualified candidates should submit their application with the links provided below. CLIK HERE

This position is only open to Ethiopian Nationals, who must be eligible to live and work in Ethiopia.

Please note that: 

• Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

• We are not accepting CVs that are not sent through the indicated links.

• Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

• Female candidates are highly encouraged to Apply

More information about Plan International can be found on http:// plan-international.org

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all persons meeting the skills and experience required.

As an international child centered community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realization of children's rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.