Background

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 Chemonics Field Engineer is a short-term position focused on assisting in the supervision of all active infrastructure projects mostly in response to Program Components #1 and #2 – Community Stabilization and Enabling the GoH to function. Under the supervision of the Chemonics Project Engineer, the Field Engineer will be responsible for all aspects of the design and implementation of infrastructure projects, including but not limited to, planning, site visits and inspections, reporting, and reviewing requests from subcontractors and vendors.

Tasks:

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

• Inspect and review project documents to monitor compliance with building and safety codes, and other regulations.
• Assist the Project Engineer in reviewing project documents to identify potential conflicts and recommend solutions.
• Assist the Project Engineer in reviewing subcontractor’s requests for information, change order, and pay.
• Verify that subcontractors obtain and maintain all required permits.
• Verify that subcontractors follow and implement projects according to the approved Work Plans.
• Study project documents to determine if subcontractor is using appropriate construction methods.
• Assist the Project Engineer in the preparation of cost estimates and schedules for proposed projects.
• Provide assistance to administrative staff and others, as required, to interpret and explain project documents.
• Prepare meeting notes and field inspection reports.
• Other related engineering and construction management activities, as assigned

1. University degree required. Background in civil engineering, structural engineering, or 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. Knowledge and experience working with AutoCAD, and scheduling software preferred.

6. Experience using mobile GPS units to locate activity intervention areas.

7. Strong skills in using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Schedule, Access) preferred.

8. Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions for prolonged periods.

9. Good oral communication and writing skills required.

10. English proficiency preferred.

The Field Engineer will report to the Project Engineer. Chemonics may amend the SOW for this assignment in consultation with the employee.