Engineer/rural infrastructure Specialist

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FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Wednesday 2 Feb 2022 at 22:59 UTC

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Organizational Setting

Food insecurity in Myanmar has dramatically increased since the political crisis began on 1 February 2021, driven by the impacts of protracted and newly erupting armed conflicts, inter-communal tensions, large-scale population displacements and recurrent climate-related shocks (cyclones, storms, floods, drought, and others). The impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), have significantly worsened the situation, further limiting access to and availability of food. According to the World Bank’s July 2021 report on Myanmar, the economy was expected to contract by around 18% in the 2021 Fiscal Year (October 2020 to September 2021), with damaging implications for lives, livelihoods, poverty reduction and future growth. This crisis is also showing serious consequences for the banking system and local currency.

Rakhine State is one of the poorest states in Myanmar with more than 40 percent of households (HHs) being food-insecure, more than half of which are moderately or severely food insecure. FAO works on building resilient agriculture and food systems, ensures humanitarian policy coordination and liaises with humanitarian partners, co-leads Food Security Cluster (FFS) with WFP, supports Food Security assessments and early warning activities. In line with FAO’s strategic objective to increase resilience of livelihoods to food and agriculture threats and crises, FAO Myanmar is implementing a number of projects in response to the recent crises in various States and Regions of Myanmar. The FAO Rakhine Programme includes several short- and medium-term projects aiming at improving household food security and increasing resilience in conflict and natural disaster prone areas with a focus on ethnic minority communities of Rakhine State.

Reporting Lines

The Engineer/rural infrastructure specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative to Myanmar and the operational supervision of the Emergency and Rehabilitation Coordinator in Myanmar, in close cooperation with National Project Manager and the Team dedicated to the Emergency Projects,

Technical Focus

FAO Myanmar is implementing an emergency technical cooperation programme (TCP) entitled “Emergency support to vulnerable farming households in Kyauktaw and Rathedaung Townships, Rakhine State, Myanmar”. The overall objective of the Project is to improve the livelihoods of the most vulnerable small-scale farmers and landless workers in Kyauktaw and Rathedaung Townships, Rakhine State, Myanmar. Under this project, aside from the provision of farm inputs and cash to monsoon farmers, FAO will also support construction/renovation of some community infrastructure through cash for work initiatives in the target villages. This project seeks to assist 510 of the most vulnerable households through the provision of a cash for work programme to support the implementation of a number of various agriculture-related infrastructure construction and rehabilitation projects, such as community irrigation, earthen embankments, storage and drying facility, etc. The identification of these infrastructures will be based on series of consultation with community and village leaders of project village locations. A process of participatory problem identification, solution formulation, and CfW project identification and proposal development would be facilitated by the IP. Appropriate technical support will be provided by IP and FAO staff in the design details, costing, and finalizing the CfW project proposal, and overall supervision during construction.

The target is the completion of 10 (ten) community infrastructures.

Tasks and responsibilities

  • Prepare criteria to use to select focus villages, design, feasibility study guideline and processes & implementation modalities, including environmental impact assessment of the selected priority community-based small scale and agriculture infrastructures, particularly identifying the type of infrastructures, risks that they can reduce, location, and management systems to ensure sustained impact of these activities;
  • Review village development plans and assess small scale rural infrastructure construction/rehabilitation work which can be addressed within the framework of the project taking into account its overall objectives, the “do no harm” and equitable access principles;
  • Conduct technical and feasibility study (including design and environmental impact assessment) of community identified priority community and agriculture infrastructure that would enhance the capacity of communities to protect their livelihoods against natural disasters and to promote/facilitate full engagement of women and their access to natural resources and livelihood activities;
  • Informed by the result the technical and feasibility study, formulate criteria to select priority villages to receive support to rehabilitate and construct community and agriculture infrastructures;
  • Informed by the result from the technical and feasibility study, design effective and efficient implementation mechanism (cash for work scheme or a combination of sub-contracting);
  • Establish good partnership and collaboration Implementing Partners (IPs) and support the implementation of agreements (i.e LOA) to construct/rehabilitate of the selected infrastructures;
  • In close consultation with IPs, prepare design and calculation of Bill of Quantity (BoQ) of the selected community and agriculture infrastructure to construct / rehabilitate;
  • Responsible for the overall management, operation and implementation of every infrastructure to construct/rehabilitate, particularly for selection of implementing partners/service providers;
  • Supervision of IPs in the mobilization and organizing of workers/beneficiaries;
  • Conduct various verification and control Activities;
  • Regular monitoring and technical support: with the support of FAO M&E staff, monitor the construction sites to ensure that the use of procedures, human resources for cash-for-work, and materials/equipment are in line with the agreed design/drawings and bill of quantity;
  • Ensure follow-up and coordination related to the implementation of work plans and procurement plans;
  • Ensure the construction works follow the national standard or locally acceptable standard and are moving as per the agreed work plan;
  • Provide technical feedback to the Implementing Partners for the entire duration of construction works (quality, use of human resources and material and equipment) on behalf of FAO;
  • Review and endorse the reports from IPs, especially the infrastructure component and provide feedback and recommendations to FAO for processing payments;
  • Document lessons learned and provide feedback for any improvements needed;
  • Follow up, track and report on progress;
  • Closely coordinate with other FAO similar projects and promote synergies in project implementation;
  • Prepare and submit mission report after each mission and the end of assignment report before the termination of the contract; and
  • Perform others tasks as required and appropriate for successful implementation of the project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

  • Advanced university degree in structural/civil engineering/water infrastructure or related field (s)
  • At least 5 years practical experience on and a good working knowledge of engineering (B.E Civil and A.G.T.I), water infrastructure construction and management;
  • At least 3 years practical experience implementing cash for work programmes;
  • Experience in working in rural areas on rural infrastructure;
  • Computer literacy skills;
  • Fluency in Myanmar and working knowledge of English (oral and written);
  • Must be familiar with operations under complex and sensitive contexts and eager to work with all communities;
  • Affinity with the mandate and role of the FAO and United Nations.
  • Myanmar Nationality

FAO Core Competencies

  • Results Focus
  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Building Effective Relationships
  • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

  • In depth knowledge of the engineering, construction and water infrastructure issues and standards in Myanmar;
  • Excellent knowledge of English is preferable, and knowledge of local languages would be an asset.
  • Knowledge of DRR resilience infrastructure;
  • High sense of responsibility, willingness to take initiative, excellent communication skills and team spirit are important assets.

Selection Criteria

  • Relevant practical experience in engineering, water infrastructure construction and management, including in rural areas;
  • Relevant practical experience in implementing cash for work programmes in Myanmar;
  • Extent of knowledge in livestock production in Myanmar (including husbandry and management, animal health care and veterinary issues);
  • Level of proficiency of English;
  • Knowledge of local languages;
  • Communication skill level;
  • Degree of familiarity with operations under complex and sensitive contexts and preparedness to work with all communities;
  • Previous work experience with FAO and/or other UN agencies, or other international development actors;
  • Level of computer literacy;
  • Demonstrated teamwork abilities.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
  • Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
  • For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: fao.org