Engineer/rural infrastructure specialist

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The FAO Representation in Myanmar supports the Government in all aspects of agriculture development including ensuring that the country has the capacity to reduce the risks of and is well prepared for and effectively responds to food and agriculture threats and crises. FAO works on building resilient agriculture and food systems, ensures humanitarian policy coordination and liaises with humanitarian partners, co-leads Food Security Sector (FFS) with WFP, supports Food Security assessments and early warning activities. In line with FAO’s strategic objective to increase resilience of livelihoods to food and agriculture threats and crises (SO5), FAO Myanmar is implementing a number of projects in response to the recent crises in various States and Regions of Myanmar. The FAO Rakhine Programme includes several short and medium term projects aiming at improving household food security and increasing resilience to floods and cyclones in conflict and natural disaster prone areas with a focus on ethnic minority communities of Rakhine State.

More specifically, FAO Myanmar is implementing a European Union funded project entitled “Improvement of food and nutrition security of vulnerable population in Rakhine State” (Pro-Act). The overall objective of the Project is to contribute to the enhancement of food security conditions and resilience to socio-economic shocks and natural disasters in Rakhine State. The Project’s overall strategy will draw on lessons learned from previous and ongoing FAO Myanmar interventions and it will address low agriculture productivity and input/food purchasing power; household food insecurity and malnutrition and high vulnerability to socio-economic shocks and natural disasters. Under this project, FAO is also supporting construction/renovation of some community infrastructure through cash for work initiatives in the target villages. The construction works will be implemented by the respective community with assistance from the Implementing Partners, the preparation, supervision and monitoring will be done by FAO to ensure the construction work is done as per the agreed design and also to ensure the quality of construction works.

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative to Myanmar and the operational supervision of the Emergency and Rehabilitation Coordinator in Myanmar, in close cooperation with ProACT Project Coordinator and the Team dedicated to the Emergency Projects.

• Conduct consultation with MoALI’s Department of Rural Development and or Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department (IWUMD), on the process, criteria to use to select focus villages, design, feasibility study guideline and processes & implementation modalities, including environmental impact assessment of the selected priority community-based small scale DRR and agriculture infrastructures, particularly identifying the type of infrastructures, risks that they can reduce, location, and management systems to ensure sustained impact of these activities;

• Review village development plans and assess small scale rural infrastructure construction/rehabilitation work which can be addressed within the framework of the project taking into account its overall objectives, the “do no harm” and equitable access principles;

• Conduct technical and feasibility study (including design and environmental impact assessment) of community identified priority DRR and agriculture infrastructure that would enhance the capacity of communities to protect their livelihoods against natural disasters and to promote/facilitate full engagement of women and their access to natural resources and livelihood activities;

• Informed by the result of the technical and feasibility study, formulate criteria to select priority villages to receive support to rehabilitate and construct DRR and agriculture infrastructures;

• Informed by the result from the technical and feasibility study, design effective and efficient implementation mechanism (cash for work scheme or a combination of sub-contracting);

• Establish good partnership and collaboration with DRD, IWUMD and Implementing Partners (IPs) and support the implementation of agreements (i.e LOA) to construct/rehabilitate of the selected infrastructures;

• In close consultation with DRD, IWUMD and IPs, prepare design and calculation of Bill of Quantity (BoQ) of the selected DRR and agriculture infrastructure to construct/rehabilitate;

• Responsible for the overall management, operation and implementation of every infrastructure to construct/rehabilitate, particularly for selection of implementing partners/service providers;

• Supervision of IPs in the mobilization and organizing of workers/beneficiaries;

• Conduct various verification and control Activities;

• Regular monitoring and technical support\: with the support of FAO M&E staff, monitor the construction sites to ensure that the use of procedures, human resources for cash-for-work, and materials/equipment are in line with the agreed design/drawings and bill of quantity;

• Ensure follow-up and coordination related to the implementation of work plans and procurement plans;

• Ensure the construction works follow the national standard or locally acceptable standard and are moving as per the agreed work plan;

• Provide technical feedback to the Implementing Partners for the entire duration of construction works (quality, use of human resources and material and equipment) on behalf of FAO;

• Review and endorse the reports from IPs, especially the infrastructure component and provide feedback and recommendations to FAO for processing payments;

• Document lessons learned and provide feedback for any improvements needed;

• Follow up, track and report on progress;

• Closely coordinate with other FAO similar projects and promote synergies in project implementation;

• Liaise with other agencies/government bodies to ensure coordination and works suitability;

• Prepare and submit mission report after each mission and the end of assignment report before the termination of the contract; and

Perform others tasks as required and appropriate for successful implementation of the project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

• Advanced university degree in structural/civil engineering/water infrastructure or related field (s)

• At least 5 years practical experience on and a good working knowledge of engineering (B.E Civil and A.G.T.I), water infrastructure construction and management;

• At least 3 years practical experience implementing cash for work programmes;

• Experience in working in rural areas on rural infrastructure;

• Computer literacy skills;

• Fluency in Myanmar and working knowledge of English (oral and written);

• Must be familiar with operations under complex and sensitive contexts and eager to work with all communities;

• Affinity with the mandate and role of the FAO and United Nations.

• Myanmar National

• Results Focus

• Teamwork
• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

  Technical/Functional Skills

• In depth knowledge of the engineering, construction and water infrastructure issues and standards in Myanmar;

• Excellent knowledge of English is preferable and knowledge of local languages would be an asset.

• Knowledge of DRR resilience infrastructure;

• High sense of responsibility, willingness to take initiative, excellent communication skills and team spirit are important assets.

• Relevant practical experience in engineering, water infrastructure construction and management, including in rural areas;

• Relevant practical experience in implementing cash for work programmes in Myanmar;

• Extent of knowledge in livestock production in Myanmar (including husbandry and management, animal health care and veterinary issues);

• Level of proficiency of English;
• Knowledge of local languages;
• Communication skill level;

• Degree of familiarity with operations under complex and sensitive contexts and preparedness to work with all communities;

• Previous work experience with FAO and/or other UN agencies, or other international development actors;

• Level of computer literacy;
• Demonstrated team work abilities.