Plan, one of the world’s largest children’s NGOs, has been working in Haiti for over 37 years supporting partners to deliver services for the children and youth of Haiti and communities in general. Following the 12th January earthquake, Plan Haiti is now implementing a major emergency response and recovery programme in three programme areas – Croix de Bouquets, Jacmel and the North East Department.

Overall Responsibility

Reporting to the Earthquake Response Program Manager, the Senior Program Specialist for Infrastructure leads on all technical aspects of construction in Plan Haiti’s Earthquake Response Program. He/she ensures that all infrastructure projects are designed, implemented, monitored and evaluated in line with Plan’s Child Centered Community Development approach and with best practices in the construction industry.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Oversees the full range of engineering design, analysis, supervision and support services for all Plan-assisted infrastructure projects, notably in education and water and sanitation
• Provides technical advice and opinions on designs and specifications, and on bids and proposals by infrastructure contractors and consultants
• Ensures supervision of construction contracts, including operations at project sites and monitoring of budgets and expenditures.
• Supervises infrastructure-related consultants
• Manages, supervises and mentors Plan staff engineers and technicians
• Advises Plan Haiti management colleagues on infrastructure related matters
• Supports capacity building of staff of Plan partner organizations
• Liaises with governmental agencies and other organizations involved in construction
• Ensures Plan and Plan-funded infrastructure projects follow best practice in terms of quality, value for money and safety, including adherence to national building codes developed after the 2010 earthquake and recognized earthquake and hurricane resistance standards
• Contributes to development of appropriate innovations in design, materials and practices in infrastructure
• Prepares progress and completion reports on a timely basis
• Assists with development of infrastructure elements of grants proposals
• Contributes to Plan’s overall strategy and operations in Haiti
• Ensures consultants and contractors respect Plan’s Child Protection Policy
• Encourages involvement of children and communities in infrastructure projects, e.g. through consultation on designs

Required skills, qualifications and experience
• Relevant advanced qualification in engineering or related field
• Minimum five years of experience providing engineering, project design, contract management and/or project management support for infrastructure construction projects, with at least three years of experience managing infrastructure projects in developing countries;
• Proven skills in capacity building of local staff, subcontractors and partners
• Demonstrated skills in networking and facilitation
• Commitment to human rights based approaches to development, including commitment to gender equity and to the rights of the child
• Fluent English and at least a strong working knowledge of spoken and written French essential – Creole an advantage
• Proven ability to work effectively and successfully in a cross-cultural context
• Ability to work under pressure, and to live and work in difficult conditions
• Available to travel and stay extensively throughout Haiti