Construction Specialist at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) - Belgium

Medecins Sans Frontieres is a private, international organisation. The organisation is made up mainly of doctors and health sector workers and is also open to all other professions which might help in achieving its aims. Médecins Sans Frontières provides assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict. They do so irrespective of race, religion, creed or political convictions.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Construction Specialist

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time

Main Purpose

• Carrying out assessments and ensuring the implementation, maintenance and monitoring of the technical work in the projects within a certain area of specialization (Electrical Engineering, GIS, ICT, Biomed, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Construction Engineering) according to MSF protocols and standards in order to ensure an optimal running of the project and its infrastructures and the efficient use of the systems and equipment.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Defining procedures and ensures the implementation, monitoring, maintenance and correct functioning of the technical work within his/her area of specialization.
• Managing the technical activities in support to and in close collaboration with the field responsible of the sector of activity (s)he is primarily in support.
• Carrying out assessment and feasibility studies in the project to provide line managers with alternatives and possible solutions to infrastructure challenges in the area of specialization e.g. installing / building / implementing. Liaising directly with the staff to identify the project needs and managing response and prioritization of requests.
• Where standard protocols are not available or appropriate, developing a protocol seeking extensive feedback and pilot tests to ensure its functioning as well as defining functioning standards and monitoring systems.
• Ensuring the proper documentation, filing and the compilation of the installation and maintenance done or required.
• Acting as a technical referent, providing technical advice and oversight of quality and strengthening knowledge of the team. Providing training sessions to technicians, the managers and supervisors in the overall set-up, use and maintenance of new installations.
• When required, acting as Flying expert in a mission and providing deep technical advice to managers.
• Performing delegated tasks specific to her area of speciality and as defined in his/her job description.

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

• Supports the projects and Abuja base
• Onsite or remote construction/rehabilitation planning, design support of simple structures and programs (light and basic OCB categories) . Provides the project log or CM with technical advices, ensuring compliance to MSF standards, protocols and procedures (including the filling of the construction category form), in order to answer to the needs in safety, and reporting to the line manager.
• Providing safety equipment for people who work in construction so as to ensure that all workers comply with safety standards.
• Short term visits: assessements, advices
• Long term support and gapfills of several weeks to several months, depending on the needs, including the technical management of the construction dossiers onsite (excluding administrative and financial part of the contract management), in collaboration with the LTL

Role in coordination, in collaboration with HQ Referent (for technical advices) and Deputy LogCo/LogCo (for decision making):

• Frame
• Contextualizes and manages the infrastructure process within the frame of OCB guidelines
• Guarantees the implementation of the Construction Basics and Good practices.
• Advises.
• Advises the mission for the implementation of sustainable and energy efficient construction and rehabilitation Practices, in accordance with local practices.
• Advises the Log Coordination about the need for escalation of support.
• Advising and following up on the legal aspects (eg: building permits)
• Participates in the ARO process (team sizing & development, needs reporting)
• Organises.
• Planning, monitoring the light and basic constructions and rehabilitations at mission level, and reporting on the progresses and challenges (HR, technical, legal, compliance), according to guidelines (SitRep, Logistics Statistical Report, etc.)
• Manages the administrative part of the contractors list (validation and evaluation of companies being done by LTL/Dep LogCo/LogCo)
• In collaboration with the Project Coordinator and the Logistics / Technical Logistics Coordinator, contributes with technical inputs to the planning, establishing and reviewing of all the construction and/or rehabilitation activities in the mission/project, including its budget, in order to identify and give a response to the needs of the mission and the targeted population.

Contract Period: Definite:

• With the possibility of becoming Indefinite contingent upon successful completion of the probationary period and satisfactory performance.

Minimum Required Skills and Qualifications
Educational Qualification:

• Essential Degree in Architecture, Construction, or Civil Engineering
• Master's Degree is an added Advantage

Experience:

• Previous experience in construction (minimum two years – each additional year is an asset).
• Site supervision experience, including quality control responsibilities (materials and works) including quality control responsibilities (materials and works)
• Experience with NGO or Multilateral International Organisations mandatory (2 years)

Knowledge:

• Proficient AutoCAD user (Practical knowledge will be verified during recruitment)
• Knowledge of sustainable building techniques is an asset

Language

• Local language essential, mission language desirable.

Application Closing Date
17th January, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Important Information and Notice

• MSF is an equal opportunity employer, both men and women are encouraged to apply.
• Candidates should submit their application, including cover letter, resume and copy of relevant certificates and NYSC certificate/Exemption Letters using the link above
• Please note only short-listed candidates will be notified and invited for interview; MSF Belgium takes this opportunity to thank all potential candidates for their application.
• Dual Employment is considered gross misconduct as contained in MSF Belgium Internal Regulations (IR) guideline and hence not acceptable.
• Applications should be sent through the indicated channel else application will not be entertained.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next steps.
• MSF reserves the right to cancel any step or whole of the recruitment process at any stage.
• The position is open to all Nigerians.