Infrastructure manager

Role and Responsibilities:

Management of all Construction activities for the Disaster Risk Reduction programme. Manage the infra construction team: organize, plan, stimulate, coach, train and support the staff. Make plans and supervise the constructions (houses, wood bridges, dykes, surelevated water points, etc.) in the required time frame. Ensure excellent coordination with the other sectors (Behaviour Change Communication, social mobilization, and logs).

Project Overview:

Tsara Kobaby (Maroantsetra District): Medair is running a project to assist communities to identify and prepare for the possible disasters and risks they face - Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). This project will last until the end of October 2011. Emergency projects: Medair provides a rapid response to post-cyclone emergencies everywhere on the island. A small project with WFP, and WASH operations and maintenance. Medair MDG is looking for new opportunities.

Medair brings life-saving relief and rehabilitation in disasters, conflict areas, and other crises by working alongside the most vulnerable. Its staff are inspired by their Christian faith to care for people in need, providing practical and compassionate support, regardless of race, religion, or politics. Medair has achieved the ISO 9001:2008 certification, worldwide. This certification signifies that Medair effectively delivers goods and services with a focus on beneficiary needs. Founded in 1989, Medair's unwavering commitment continues to bring hope to the world’s most vulnerable.

Workplace:

Rural area of Maroantsetra, Analanjirofo Region

Contract Details:

Minimum 1 year, 100%

Key activity areas:

Management:

• Manage, coach, and train the INFRA team (can include training of beneficiaries).
• Regularly visit the work in the field. Participate actively in the regular coordination meetings.
• With the Mobilization team, motivate stakeholders to ensure a high level of participation and project ownership. Develop the infra database to monitor and evaluate the work.
• Plan the work of the team and coordinate this with the other sectors.
• Participate in project proposals and /or projects reports.

Technical:

• Work together with Community Authorities, village authorities and the capacity building team (MOSI) to plan the construction of cyclone and flood proofed houses.
• Make plans for all constructions, plan the job and follow-up the work.
• Make sure the work meets quality standards, budget, log frame and timing.
• Bring new ideas and improve technical solutions where needed (efficiency and quality).
• Lead and supervise the setting up of local small enterprises for construction.
• Evaluate the behaviour and satisfaction of the individual households and their success or problems with the cyclone and flood proofed houses.
• Ensure promotion and training of cyclone and flood proofed houses in collaboration with other sectors.

Qualifications:

• University degree in construction engineering

Experience and Competencies:

• 2 years professional engineering experience
• 1 year experience overseas
• Basic understanding of community development theory and its practical application
• Experience in Community Development and/or Hygiene promotion desirable
• Thorough understanding of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) promotion methods desirable
• Strong working knowledge of French (oral and written); native French speaker desirable
• Ability to give guidance and leadership to local staff
• Planning skills; Excellent cross-cultural skills
• Able to work in team and live in community
• Ability to cope with rough living conditions
• High level of patience; Team player / serving attitude
• Ability to take initiative

Medair standard working requirements for the field:

• Committed to Medair values
• Reflect the vision and values of Medair when interacting with team members, local staff, beneficiaries and external contacts
• At least one year of professional experience in a relevant field (more experience preferred)
• Minimum 3 months inter-cultural overseas experience
• Willing to commit to Medair for a minimum of one year
• Single, or married (without dependent children)
• Aged 25-55 generally preferred
• Strong working knowledge of English (oral and written)
• Competent with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Able to live and work with a multicultural team under difficult conditions
• Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity, honesty, and physically fit
• Successful completion of Medair Relief & Rehabilitation Orientation Course (ROC)

Working Conditions:

• The Infra Manager is based in the town of Maroantsetra, with infrequent visits to the field. Maroantsetra is a rural town with approximately 25,000 inhabitants which has electricity most of the time (while the surrounding villages mostly do without).
• The security situation is good in Maroantsetra which allows the expat to move around without problem.