Housing construction expert

Background

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe / Diakonie Emergency Aid is a German non-governmental organisation providing worldwide humanitarian aid. Since 2005 Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe is based in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince. After the earthquake in January 2010, the most affected regions are the rural townships Bainet and Jacmel in the Southeast of Haiti.

Work Context For Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe the vast majority of the projects in Haiti are implemented jointly with local NGO partners. In Haiti, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe provides support and guidance and ensures bridging between third party donors or Diakonie’s Headquarter and the implementing partners. Position purpose As an integral team member of the Senior Management Team of Diakonie Haiti, lead the implementation of the reconstruction of houses and small infrastructures program in the aftermath of the recent earthquake in Haiti.

• For its Project Office in Haiti, DKH is seeking a Housing Construction Expert for Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe Haiti.
• Reporting to: Head of Mission (HoM)
• Assignment Period: January, 1st 2012 (or earlier) five months’ assignment with possible extension


Main tasks

Project Management

• Construction of 600 earthquake and hurricane resistant houses
• Project implementation, management and monitoring as well as reporting
• Coordinating Staff, foreman and unskilled workers within this project
• Coordinating the procurement of material (needs assessment, quality control, coordination with the logistics officer, etc.)
• Survey of the damages and needs assessment
• Planning construction measures (design, cost calculation, planning of timeframes and needed manpower, etc.)
• Work in close collaboration with DKH’s consultant (Housing expert and projects manager)
• Ensure participation and collaboration with related cluster meetings, donor meetings and local authority to ensure adequate positioning of DKH in the overall housing reconstruction efforts alongside the other players
• Assess the needs for housing and small infrastructures rehabilitation and construction in the different zones affected by the earthquake
• Analyze the results of former and current housing projects implemented in the zones of intervention
• Develop designs and construction criteria for housing and infrastructure projects identified in the framework of the program that respect local designs and cultural sensitivities
• Incorporate disaster risk reduction (DRR) techniques and measures in all designs
• Study land right issues and propose alternative scenarios for an inclusive beneficiary selection process
• Monitor the beneficiary identification
• Elaborate terms of references and technical documents for call for proposals
• Produce reports as well as any additional required documentation

Capacity building, capacity assessment and Human Resources Management

• Give technical support, ensure quality assurance, application and respect of construction standards, sphere standards, national guideline, DKH standards, donor requirements and cluster inputs
• Participate in the initial and on-going capacity assessments of current and potential partners
• Support local NGO partners, contractors and DKH field staff during all phases of the projects from needs assessment, planning, implementing, monitoring and reporting
• Provide guidance, coaching and capacity building to DKH’s, partner’s and contractor’s staff
• Identify gaps and needs in capacities of the partner and DKH team and propose action plan to remedy the situation in collaboration with the Senior Management team and the HoM
• Supervise a small team of staff
• Revise and develop job descriptions for own team and ensure recruitment and evaluation of staff both local and expatriate

Others

• Comply with security plan regulations and procedures
• Liaise with other senior management positions and participate actively in team work
• Submit various reports both internal and for donors (including narratives, graphs, tables, photos) according to the various time schedules
• Accompanying project visitors to the field when required, in consultation with the HoM
• Attending related meetings, workshops in agreement with the HoM
• Carrying out any other tasks assigned by the HoM  

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications and experience

• University degree in Architecture or Civil Engineering
• Demonstrated professional experience of at least 5 years in housing and infrastructure community projects especially in rehabilitation / construction programs
• Experience in during recovery phases (post emergencies)
• Demonstrated experience in working with partner organisations and contractors
• Demonstrated capacity to live in harsh conditions and insecure environment
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience with policies, protocols, and procedures of international NGO and donor agencies
• Good understanding of key principles of international NGO including accountability, impartiality, neutrality, independence, cooperation, and intercultural understanding
• Willing to work in the target region during the foreseen assignment duration
• Good knowledge of AUTOCAD software
• Excellent report writing capacities

Assets

• excellent analytical/problem-solving skills and detail orientation;
• excellent knowledge of the English language and computer skills;
• strong commitment to teamwork;
• effective communication, motivating leadership and interpersonal skills;
• belief in the principles of participatory approaches to relief, recovery and development.

Remuneration

The remuneration will follow internationally accepted standards.

Further information

For detailed information about the assignment please contact:

Daniela Simm,
Programme Officer
Latin America and the Caribbean at Diakonie Headquarter,
Email: d.simm@diakonie-katastrophenhilfe.de
Tel: +49 7112159104