Position: Field Engineer
Location: Las Anod, with travel to other project sites in Sool
Duration: 12 months, renewable based on performance, funds, and need for the position
Closing date: 3rd Dec 2024
Organization: Alight
About Alight:
Alight is an international humanitarian organization dedicated to guiding displaced individuals through the journey from vulnerability to resilience, impoverishment to well-being, and exclusion to inclusion. Committed to co-designing solutions with a focus on radical accountability, Alight is a global force in building meaningful lives for and with displaced communities, implementing high-quality programs and services – all while developing trusting local partnerships that build resilience and shifts power back into the hands of local communities, where it belongs.
Role Overview:
The Field Engineer supports the Construction Engineer in overseeing on-site construction, ensuring project quality, compliance, and adherence to timelines. As the primary on-site representative, the Field Engineer ensures efficient and sustainable execution of infrastructure projects, including educational facilities, healthcare centers, and water supply systems. Through daily monitoring, they ensure contractors and workers follow approved designs, technical specifications, and safety protocols.
Field Engineer maintains quality by conducting inspections, addressing deficiencies, and providing real-time technical support. They assist in planning and coordinating construction schedules, resource allocation, and stakeholder collaboration for smooth project execution. The Field Engineer ensures compliance with local regulations, environmental sustainability, and organizational standards while optimizing resource use.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
1. Construction Supervision and Quality Assurance
· Supervise daily construction activities at assigned sites, ensuring that work adheres to approved technical designs, specifications, and quality standards.
· Conduct regular inspections to identify deviations from the project plan and take corrective actions to ensure compliance with design and quality requirements.
· Monitor contractor performance, including workforce efficiency, material usage, and equipment operation, ensuring timely progress toward milestones.
· Provide real-time technical support on-site, troubleshooting construction challenges and coordinating solutions with the Construction Engineer.
· Implement and maintain a rigorous quality control system using tools such as tracking reports, checklists, and spot-checks to ensure construction quality.
· Ensure that construction materials meet the specified standards by performing regular quality checks on-site and coordinating with suppliers to resolve issues.
· Verify that contractors are following proper procedures in the execution of construction tasks, particularly for critical structural components.
2. Planning and Coordination
· Assist the Construction Engineer in creating detailed work schedules, including timelines, key milestones, and critical activities, ensuring alignment with project goals.
· Organize and facilitate site meetings with contractors, subcontractors, and other stakeholders to review progress, address challenges, and align expectations.
· Collaborate with procurement and logistics teams to schedule timely delivery of materials and equipment, minimizing delays in construction activities.
· Coordinate site visits by senior staff, donors, and stakeholders by preparing detailed site inspection plans and briefings.
· Work closely with community leaders and local authorities to ensure alignment with community needs and address site-related concerns.
· Monitor resource allocation and ensure optimal utilization of labor, materials, and equipment to achieve cost-efficiency.
· Ensure that work schedules are adapted when unforeseen delays occur, maintaining realistic and achievable project timelines.
3. Reporting and Documentation
· Maintain comprehensive site records, including daily construction logs, inventory registers, attendance sheets, and photographic documentation of progress.
· Prepare detailed weekly and monthly progress reports, providing insights into completed activities, challenges encountered, and plans for subsequent phases.
· Document site meetings, decisions made, action points, and follow-up activities in official meeting minutes for future reference.
· Compile and organize contractor performance assessments and share findings with the Construction Engineer to evaluate adherence to contracts.
· Maintain an updated record of changes or variations in the construction plan, including reasons, approval status, and impacts on the overall schedule.
· Support audit and compliance reviews by ensuring all project-related documentation is readily accessible and up to date.
· Create and archive lessons learned reports to improve the efficiency of future projects.
4. Safety and Compliance
· Enforce compliance with health and safety standards at construction sites, ensuring that workers follow proper procedures and use personal protective equipment (PPE).
· Conduct regular safety audits and risk assessments to identify potential hazards and implement mitigation measures promptly.
· Ensure contractors are trained in and compliant with local building codes, environmental regulations, and mandatory certifications.
· Monitor environmental sustainability measures, such as waste disposal, water conservation, and the use of eco-friendly materials during construction.
· Organize regular safety briefings and workshops for contractors, laborers, and other on-site personnel to promote a safety-conscious culture.
· Investigate accidents or safety incidents, document findings, and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.
· Liaise with regulatory authorities and ensure that all permits and licenses are maintained and displayed as required.
5. Technical Support and Capacity Building
· Provide hands-on technical guidance to contractors and on-site teams to ensure understanding of project requirements and adherence to technical standards.
· Conduct on-site training sessions to improve the skills of local workers in modern construction techniques, equipment handling, and safety practices.
· Review and clarify technical drawings and designs with contractors to prevent misinterpretation and ensure proper execution.
· Work with the Construction Engineer to assess the capacity of contractors and recommend necessary adjustments or reinforcements.
· Provide mentorship and on-the-job training to junior engineers or interns working on the project, fostering professional development.
· Support the evaluation and procurement of innovative construction methods or materials that improve efficiency and sustainability.
· Act as a resource for technical troubleshooting and advice during critical phases of the construction process.
Qualifications and Experience:
· Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Building Construction, or related field.
· At least 2-4 years of experience in field-based construction project supervision and management.
· Proficiency in construction-related software, including AutoCAD and MS Office Suite.
· Strong knowledge of structural design, tender documentation, and preparation of bills of quantities.
Desirable:
· Experience in school or education infrastructure development.
· Familiarity with GIS mapping and construction regulations in [specific region].
· Demonstrated ability to work in remote and challenging environments.
Key Competencies and Skills:
· Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
· Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
· Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams, including contractors and community members.
· Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
· High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
Special Responsibilities:
· Frequent travel to remote project sites for extended periods.
· Support the Construction Engineer and the field manager in additional tasks or projects as assigned.
Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply:
Submit a one-page motivation letter and a current, updated CV (2-4 pages) with three references to SMjobs@wearealight.org before the closing date. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
For more information about our work and impact: https://wearealight.org