Engineer - Rural Infrastructure Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Emergency program in Myanmar is working on: i) Rebuilding agriculture-based livelihoods through the supply of agricultural, livestock and aquaculture inputs and cash transfer, training on good agriculture practices, climate-smart agriculture, nutrition, hygiene, and COVID-19 risk mitigation, provision of land preparation harvesting equipment, improving animal health services; ii) Rehabilitating productive infrastructure and contribute to conservation through fishpond renovation and construction through cash-for-work and agricultural land rehabilitation; and iii) Improving disaster Risk Reduction, early warning, and anticipatory action systems as well as community-based disaster risk management.

Reporting Lines

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 Coordinator and the Team dedicated to the Emergency Projects, the following tasks will be undertaken by Engineer/rural infrastructure specialist:

Technical Focus

FAO Myanmar is implementing an emergency technical cooperation programme (TCP) entitled “Live-saving emergency livelihoods assistance to vulnerable food insecure farming households in Pauktaw and Ponnagyun 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 Pauktaw and Ponnagyun Townships, Rakhine State, Myanmar. Under this project, aside from the provision of farm inputs, FAO will also support the construction/renovation of small village -level community infrastructure through cash-for-work (CfW). This project seeks to assist 1 000 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, drying facility, etc. The identification of these infrastructures will be based on a 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 of the CfW project proposal, and overall supervision and monitoring during construction. Technical supervision will be provided by FAO to the IP staff to ensure construction of community infrastructure adheres to project design, and guidelines and operating procedures set for the project. The target is the completion of 20 (twenty) community infrastructures.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Conduct consultation with key stakeholders, on the process, criteria to use to select focus villages, design, feasibility study guidelines, and processes & implementation modalities, particularly identifying the type of infrastructures, risks that they can reduce, location, and management systems to ensure the 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 of 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 partnerships and collaboration with relevant stakeholders and support the implementation of agreements (i.e LOA) to construct/rehabilitate the selected infrastructures; • In close consultation with local or village authorities, communities, and local implementing partners, prepare the design and calculation of the Bill of Quantity (BoQ) of the selected community and agriculture infrastructure to construct/rehabilitate; • Undertake responsibility for the overall management, operation, and implementation of every infrastructure to construct/rehabilitate, particularly supervision of implementing partners/service providers for the rehabilitation and construction community and agriculture infrastructures ; • Supervise local implementing partners 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/rehabilitation 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 local implementing partners, especially the infrastructure component, and provide feedback and recommendations to FAO for processing payments; • Develop, organize, and oversee the capacity building of the local implementing partners and/or village committees on the Operation and Maintenance of built/rehabilitated community and agriculture infrastructures; • Review documentation 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 other tasks as required and appropriate for the successful implementation of the project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in structural/civil engineering/water infrastructure or related field (s) • At least 5 years of practical experience in and a good working knowledge of engineering (B.E Civil and A.G.T.I), water infrastructure construction, and management; • At least 3 years of practical experience implementing cash-for-work programmes; • Fluency in Myanmar and working knowledge of English (oral and written); • Myanmar Nationality.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• In-depth knowledge of 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; • A high sense of responsibility, willingness to take initiative, excellent communication skills, and team spirit are important assets. • Experience in working in rural areas on rural infrastructure; • Computer literacy skills; • 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.

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; • The extent of knowledge in livestock production, Agriculture production, and fishery components in Myanmar; • Level of proficiency in 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/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.