On January 12, 2010 an earthquake registering over 7.0 on the Richter scale struck the Republic of Haiti killing more than 200,000 people, displacing over a million and affecting a total of 3,000,000.
The epicenter of the quake was close to Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince, destroying and heavily damaging homes, schools, churches, and critical infrastructure. The Government of Haiti (GoH) was also devastated by the earthquake, which destroyed most public buildings and records and took the lives of many key staff. More than one year after the earthquake, Haiti’s peace and recovery are threatened by a growing cholera epidemic, a disputed national election and challenging political transition, abject poverty, and lack of basic services. The goal of USAID/OTI’s efforts in Haiti post-earthquake is to reinforce stability and lay the foundation for longer term development.

In January 2010, USAID/OTI launched an 18-month-long quick-response program in partnership with Chemonics known as Haiti Recovery Initiative (HRI), or An’n Leve Kanpe (“Let’s stand up together!”) in Haitian Creole. Over the course of the last year, activities have focused primarily on the following three country objectives:

1.) Community Stabilization
2.) Enabling the GoH to Function
3.) Increasing Citizen Engagement

In recent months there have been two significant developments which have shaped – and will continue to shape – OTI’s program over the next year. First, a new USG assistance strategy for Haiti, which has been under discussion and review for the last year, is due to be formally approved in the coming months. Second, recently concluded presidential elections will usher in a new government. OTI will seek to engage with this new government and reinvigorate its efforts to provide material and technical assistance to the GoH in key areas of state functioning. Country program objectives are expected to shift over the life of the program to account for changes in the political environment.

USAID/OTI has been working with Chemonics under the follow-on to HRI (known as HRI-II) since March 14, 2011, and the program is expected to run for a period of 18 months.

Position Purpose:

The Project Engineer will assist in the supervision and oversight of a large range of small-scale and large-scale infrastructure projects of the HRI-1 and HRI-2 program in response to program components #1 and #2 – Community Stabilization and Enabling the GoH to Function. For an initial period of three months, the Project Engineer will work under the supervision of the Senior Engineer to design and implement infrastructure projects, including but not limited to the rehabilitation of GoH infrastructure, road rehabilitation, community infrastructure for urban renewal, markets, and water points. The Project Engineer will work with the Regional Program Manager, Senior Engineer, and program development and implementation teams to review construction specifications and plans, write technical scopes of work, review proposals, provide input and oversight of construction subcontracts, and ensure overall quality and adherence to standards of construction projects. The Project Engineer will liaise with the GoH and other partners, as well as representatives of OTI, as required.

Tasks:

The principal tasks to be completed under this SOW are as follows:

• Assist the Regional Program Manager and Senior Program Development Officer in providing technical direction to program development staff for grants and other activities with infrastructure components.
• Under the supervision of the Regional Program Manager, prepare cost estimates, schedules, and technical scopes of work for proposed projects.
• Review proposals for construction projects and make technical recommendations for award.
• Ensure construction subcontractors adhere to established work plans and submit deliverables on time and in accordance with technical requirements.
• Ensure that infrastructure and rehabilitation activities conform to required engineering designs and standards.
• Verify that subcontractors obtain and maintain all required permits.
• Conduct field site visits to monitor construction projects throughout HRI’s zones of operations in Cap Haitien.
• Prepare meeting notes and field inspection reports.
• Participate in meetings with grantees, partners, and representatives of OTI, as required.
• Other related engineering and construction management activities, as assigned

Job Qualifications

1. University degree in civil or structural engineering required, and experience in construction management preferred.
2. Five years of progressively responsible work experience in construction management and supervision of new projects or complex rehabilitation projects.
3. Experience with a USAID or donor-funded projects preferred.
4. Ability to multitask and work in a dynamic environment.
5. Experience working in complex and challenging field operations in unstable developing countries preferred. Previous experience working in Haiti or in similar environments and on rapid transition programs in insecure environments is desirable.
6. Knowledge and experience working with AutoCAD, and scheduling software preferred.
7. Experience using mobile GPS units to locate activity intervention areas.
8. Strong skills in using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Schedule, Access) required.
9. Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions for prolonged periods.
10. Good oral communication and writing skills required. Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to manage diverse professional relationships is essential.
11. English, French, and Haitian Creole proficiency required.

The Engineer will report to the Regional Program Manager and overall quality control will be ensured by the Senior Engineer. Chemonics may amend the SOW for this assignment at any time in consultation with the employee.