Project Engineer

Vacancy Announcement

The Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF) in partnership with REED Nepal and Action for Nepal (AFN) are working in a Consortium to improve access to quality and inclusive education, enhance teachers' capacity, improve maternal and child health, increase accessibility to health services, and improve health and education facilities in remote western region of Nepal. The West Nepal: Sambridhee Khaptad Chhanna Project targets 38 schools and 5 health posts and communities across Khaptad Chhanna Rural Municipality. The duration of the project is from 1st July 2022 to 30th June 2025. The project is particularly targeting girls, children with disabilities, teachers, Head Teachers, School Management Committees, Parents Teachers Association, Child Clubs, Female Community Health Volunteers, Health Management Committees, health workers, Women’s Groups, Mothers’ Groups, and Local Level Government Stakeholders.

Position:  Project Engineer 

Required number: 1. (One)

Duty station: Bajhang District (Khaptad Chhanna RM)

Required Qualification: Bachelor's degree in civil engineering.

Work Experience: Minimum three years of working experience in building construction and other WASH related activities in the development sector (design, planning, implementation, budgeting, reporting, preparation of Bills of Quantity (BoQ) and technical supervision at sites

Terms of Reference

For

“Retrofit, Construction Refurbishment and Classroom Furnishing of Schools and Health Posts”

West Nepal: Sambridhee Khaptad Chhanna Project

1. Project Objectives

The project aims to improve the health and education outcomes of the population of Khaptad Chhanna RM by strengthening the capacity of both education and health system stakeholders at different levels. The project will benefit school children from ECED to Grade 8, women of reproductive age group, teachers, parents, female community health volunteers, health workers, school and health management committees, and RM representatives. Particular attention will be provided to vulnerable people (women and girls, people with disabilities, Dalit and other minorities, children from single headed household and children from very poor families). Importantly, the project aligns with the key priorities of the Nepal government school education sector plan 2030 including teacher capacity development, improvement of school and municipal level education governance, capacity strengthening of local education authorities in education data management and formulation of education sector plan. The project also aligns with the Nepal Safe Motherhood and New-born Health Road Map 2030 with a focus on strengthening the community health system and improving institutional quality of care in an equitable manner. It will strengthen the capacity of the RM and HFOMC in governance and management so that health facilities are better equipped, staffed and that effective services are provided to the community in accordance with the government Minimum Standard of Services (MSS) for health facilities.

Project Scope

The West Nepal: Sambridhee Khaptad Chhanna Project covers 38 schools and 5 health posts. These locations have unsafe, inappropriate and/or insufficient buildings and infrastructure. Some schools lack access to water, classrooms are structurally unsafe, and there is insufficient weather protection. The situation of the health posts is also poor with very limited or no equipment, unsafe and poor infrastructure, and inadequate WASH facilities. The consortium has decided to support with rebuilding, retrofitting and refurbishment these facilities. 

The works are split into 3 phases:

• Phase 1 (1st June 2023 to 30th June 2023) includes refurbishments in schools which can commence immediately. 
• Phase 2 (1st July 2023 to end June 2024) includes building four new classrooms in Daru Gaun, Mahalinga and a new birthing centre in Daru Guan
• Phase 3 (July 2024 onwards) includes more schools / health centre construction/retrofitting work might be conducted.

2. Scope of Services

The Consortium requires an engineer to support the project objectives and oversee the project scope. This Scope of Services outlines the required services to be undertaken by the Engineer.

The overall Scope of Services is for the Engineer to support the Consortium and manage the project scope though all phases.

Phase 1 Requirements

The following items are anticipated key scopes of work to achieve the project objectives and scope. This list in not exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the requirements applicable to all phases. 

• Conduct meetings with local government, school authority, school management committee and school WASH committee, and other relevant stakeholders in the district to decide on priority schools that need refurbishments and priority work in those schools (considering policies and priorities of local government and plans already underway and ensuring approval for work to be undertaken) by 1st Week of June 2023.
• Prepare estimations and specification for the type of refurbishment work and equipment required for the schools (flooring, doors, windows, desks/chairs) and provide recommendation to consortium members by 1st week of June 2023. 
• Develop strategy and timeline for refurbishment work by 1st week of June 2023. 
• All procurement must be completed for Phase 1 by 25th June 2023.

Phase 2 Requirements

The following items are anticipated key scopes of work to achieve the project objectives and scope. This list in not exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the requirements applicable to all phases. 

• Review previous relevant reporting and proposals.
• Conduct meetings with local government, school authority, school management committee and other relevant stakeholders in the district to confirm project requirements and proposals.
• Prepare estimations, specifications, and schedules for the proposed work. 
• Obtain design and engineering services and oversee the development of the design and engineering.

Phase 3 Requirements

The requirements for Phase 3 will be determined during Phase 2.

Requirements for all Phases

The following requirements apply to all phases of the project. 

• Ensure proposed solutions are appropriate.
• Responsible for Time, Cost and Quality aspects of the project.  
• Ensure work aligns with best practices national standards of Nepal government.
• Develop clear monitoring tools along with Bills of Quantities (BoQs), etc. 
• Work in close collaboration with Project Manager and Finance Associate for school selection/scope of works and to manage procurement, transportation, and logistics. 
• Prepare and compile reports related to refurbishment monthly and share them to the direct supervisor or to central offices as per requirement.
• Handover the completed projects to the schools, health posts and communities including all documentation with training of schools’/ health posts’ staff to operate and maintain the facilities.
• In addition, during Phase 2 and 3, engineer should work closely with the construction committee/s for quality implementation of construction, reconstruction and renovation works as per the agreed plan and take care of site safety and security management.

3. Contractual period

The Engineer is expected to complete the assigned responsibilities within the project period phases. The employment contract shall be valid for Phase 1 until 30th June 2023. It is expected that following successful completion of Phase 1, the engineer will continue employment for Phase 2 (with possibility of extension till Phase 3) which is estimated to conclude by 30th June 2024.

4. Reporting/Communication

The engineer shall closely work with the Project Manager of West Nepal project and shall report to the Program Director of REED Nepal (Phases 1, 2 and 3) and Action For Nepal (AFN) (Phase 2 and 3) respectively for school refurbishment/construction and health post construction. If required, s/he shall be able to communicate with the Consortium on the technical aspects of the project implementation.

5. Child Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

The Consortium partners are committed to the principles below that derive from the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child:

• All children have equal rights to protection from abuse and exploitation.
• Everyone has a responsibility to support the care and protection of children.
• Children are actors in their own protection and development, which does not exempt parents and educators from their responsibilities.

In addition to child protection, the consortium partners are committed to the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation. The employee should be able to provide a Police Clearance Certificate and sign our Code of Conduct and Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct.

Should an employee pose an unacceptable risk to children, the Consortium is committed to preventing that employee from working with children.  Where suspicions have been raised that a member of personnel has contravened the related policies and codes of conduct, the organization can suspend or transfer to other duties any employee who is under investigation and dismiss any employee after an investigation.

6. Job Requirements

• Minimum three years of working experience in building construction and other WASH related activities in the development sector (design, planning, implementation, budgeting, reporting, preparation of Bills of Quantity (BoQ) and technical supervision at sites.
• Familiar with current government policies in construction of public buildings, preferably in public schools and health posts, including WASH activities.
• Ability to manage work pressure within tight deadlines with limited resources.
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Office Package and AutoCAD.
• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a valid two-wheeler driving license, as well as professional license as an engineer.
• Good in English language, both written and verbal.

Apply Instruction:

Qualified and interested candidates are requested to submit CV with two referees along with cover letter to inforeednepal@gmail.com  to reach the office latest 30th May 2023. For more detail, visit website: www.reednepal.org. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for further assessment process. The organization reserves the right to cancel or reject the application. Phone calls or any other enquiries will NOT be entertained, and any type of solicitation will automatically disqualify the application.