Construction Officer - ECW at Save the Children Nigeria

Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Save the Children is working in Nigeria because one in five children in Nigeria dies before their fifth birthday. About 40% of children miss out on school and have to work to survive while nearly 2 million children have lost one or both parents to an AIDS-related disease.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Construction Officer - ECW

Location: Adamawa
Contract Length: 1 year (Renewable)
Grade: 4
Job Category: Programme Operations
Reports to: ECW Program Manager
Staff Reporting to This Post: None
Role Dimensions: Field office-based position with at least 40% field visit

Child Safeguarding Level 3

• The post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight). 
• This contact may be due to working in country programs, visiting the country programs, or being responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process for staff.

Role Purpose

• With funding from ECW, Save the Children is implementing a 3-year project to ensure equitable access to safe learning environments for all. 
• The project will assess existing learning facilities to ensure they are inclusive and sensitive to the needs of girls and boys with disabilities. 
• The WASH facilities will be assessed for availability, functionality, safety, gender-responsiveness, and disability friendliness in learning centres.
• The Construction Officer will oversee all aspects of construction-related projects, including feasibility assessments, preparing technical and tender documents, supporting the supply chain team for procurement, mobilizing contractors, conducting regular field visits, and performing intensive technical monitoring of construction activities in close coordination with the Education team in Adamawa State.

Key Areas of Accountability

• Conduct needs assessments in selected schools to identify the requirements for WASH facilities in close coordination with the Education team.
• Conduct feasibility studies to construct Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS), latrines, and handwashing facilities in selected schools.
• Prepare designs and Bills of Quantities (BOQs) for water supply, classrooms, and TLS constructions and installations for schools and host communities.
• Conduct hazard assessments and verify the availability of land for design and drawing preparations.
• Prepare designs, drawings, BOQs, cost estimates, and specifications of construction materials according to standards in close coordination with the School Management Committee and Education team.
• Ensure the quality of construction work carried out by contractors per SCI construction policy.
• Supervise the construction work of latrines, handwashing facilities, and other construction activities undertaken by SCI.
• Prepare construction quality checklists and periodic reports.
• Conduct frequent field visits for technical monitoring.
• Provide technical support and suggestions to contractors, construction workers, and school management.
• Maintain close contact with selected communities to inform them of project-related issues.
• Provide periodic progress reports and verify payment invoices.
• Monitor construction budgets and overall performance with Program and Project Managers.
• Verify the completion of construction work, cooperating with relevant authorities to ensure all requirements are met before issuing a Certificate of Completion and final payments.
• Liaise and collaborate with local authorities and other key stakeholders.
• Lead and support the implementation of WASH and construction components of the project, including construction/rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities, in collaboration with Education and Child Protection stakeholders at state/LGA levels.
• Supervise borehole drilling and rehabilitation by contractors in the field to ensure quality control and adherence to project specifications and timelines.
• Ensure Child Safeguarding Risk Assessments are conducted for all construction and program activities.
• Coordinate with logistics to facilitate the procurement of necessary WASH items and materials and support their distribution across supported schools and communities.

Capacity Building:

• Build the capacity of partners and SCI staff on hygiene promotion.
• Provide capacity-building support to implementing partners with less construction experience.
• Engage community leaders and other key stakeholders at the LGA level on hygiene promotion.
• Ensure community mobilization approaches integrate hygiene promotion concepts.

Representation, Advocacy, and Organizational Learning:

• Ensure Save the Children’s work is coordinated with efforts of other agencies and the government, supporting Interagency Coordination Sub Working Groups, and advocating for the specific needs of children.
• Under the guidance of the Project Manager, WASH, and Construction TA, ensure the ECW-funded project is implemented in selected communities in line with WASH and construction minimum standards.
• Contribute to communications and media work as required.

General Responsibilities

• Comply with Save the Children policies and practices with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities, and other relevant policies and procedures.
• Perform other ad-hoc tasks as requested by the Line Manager.

Behaviours (Values in Practice):

• Accountability: Holds self and the team accountable for decisions and responsibilities, managing resources efficiently and role-modelling Save the Children values.
• Ambition: Sets ambitious goals, takes responsibility for personal development, and motivates others.
• Collaboration: Builds effective relationships, values diversity, and is approachable and a good listener.
• Creativity: Encourages innovation and disciplined risks.
• Integrity: Demonstrates honesty, openness, and high levels of integrity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience, preferably in a humanitarian/recovery context.
• Experience in construction and WASH-related projects, especially in designing and constructing infrastructure.

Experience and Skills
Essential:

• Experience with local and international NGOs.
• Training and experience in borehole and VIP latrine construction/rehabilitation.
• Community mobilization and advocacy experience.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, AutoCAD, and Epanet.
• Ability to work in partnership with government and other NGO staff.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and listening skills.
• Problem analysis and solving capabilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with mapping field equipment and software.
• Experience with emergency water supply systems.
• Familiarity with population fluxes and water supply management in emergencies.

Equal Opportunities:

• The role holder must carry out duties in accordance with Save the Children’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

• We prioritize child protection in our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks.

Safeguarding Our Staff:

• Ensure project delivery complies with the highest safeguarding standards according to Save the Children’s policies.
• Work with the project safeguarding officer to ensure that all construction activities, construction sites, and construction facilities have safeguarding risk assessments and mitigation measures in place.
• Ensure safe programming in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and training of teachers and construction/rehabilitation of learning centers.
• Adhere to the Do No Harm principles in all steps of the Programme Management Cycle.

Health and Safety:

• The role holder must carry out duties in accordance with Save the Children’s Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Application Closing Date
14th April, 2025; 14:13.

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