Key Responsibilities

The Construction Engineer (CE) helps plan, organizes, and supervises, on a day-to-day basis, all construction activities carried out by the USAID Zambia Integrated Health Activity. The Construction Engineer will work under the guidance of the Director Financial Management and Operations (DFMO), Operations Director (OD) and Technical Director, Clinical Services (TDCS) to formulate, oversee, and evaluate construction works and aid in the development of budgets pertaining to the works in Activity supported facilities as well as provincial and district hub offices in Central, Copperbelt and Northwestern provinces.

The CE will directly supervise Activity construction contractors and subcontractors and work hand-in-glove with Activity hired architectural and engineering firm to ensure timely and quality completion of all construction works. The Engineer is responsible for maintaining project paperwork, plans, and expense tracker, as well as providing regular progress reports to the Director Finance and Operations.

This position will entail regular local travel to construction sites throughout Central, Copperbelt and Northwestern provinces.

Primary duties and obligations

Coordination of construction-related activities

• Oversee the management of all health facility-level construction works from inception to their finalization/commissioning in coordination with the Activity contracted architectural and engineering firm and ZIH Senior Management.
• Conduct initial site surveys, pre-design investigations, and environmental (water quality, hydrogeological, geotechnical) impact studies for each proposed site and develop plans to minimize negative environmental impact of activities.
• Oversee and supervise construction contractors and subcontractors engaged to carry out construction works.
• Ensure that all construction works adhere to:

– GRZ and MoH protocols, regulations, and construction guidelines

– Established protocols, regulations, and construction guidelines as outlined in the USAID approved Construction Implementation Plan (CIP)

– USAID donor regulations

• Collaborate with the ZIH procurement team to mobilize materials, ensure quality control, and manage last mile delivery.

Supervision and administration of construction activities

• Collaborate with Senior Management in conducting regular evaluations of the CIP and ensuring continuous adherence to the CIP, GRZ, MoH and USAID guidelines.
• Verify that any memorandums of understanding (MOU) with Ministry of Health, contracts with contractors, and any other required documentation are prepared, executed, and stored in compliance with established protocols.
• Maintain compliance with best practices and defined minimum standards by incorporating quality control testing and inspection procedures, which may include conducting regular site visits.
• Oversee and manage the construction activities at the site and oversee the certification procedure for each stage of completion.
• Supervise both on-site and offsite construction projects, as well as ensure adherence to general construction and safety rules.
• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments and develop contingency plans to proactively address potential issues and effectively manage risks across all construction sites.
• Demonstrate exemplary management of resources by thoroughly examining material requisitions and providing recommendations for their approval, procurement, and subsequent delivery to construction sites.
• Examination of invoices, completion certificates and the provision of recommendations for approvals and timely payment to all contractors.
• Provide project oversight for environmental management and compliance related to construction activities.

Reporting

• The Construction Engineer muse be able to consolidate and monitor all program construction activities using regular periodic progress reports.
• Must have experience with the development, revision, and upkeep of a construction project workflow tracker, as well as the generation of project-specific quality control reports.

Qualities, skills, and education requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in construction management, architecture, engineering, or other field relevant to the assignment.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in the construction sector, specifically with a contractor involved in general construction and experience managing non-governmental projects.
• Accreditation from a construction engineering body in Zambia, such as Zambia Institute of Architects (ZIA) and Engineers’ Institute of Zambia (EIZ).
• Demonstrated expertise in overseeing and coordinating construction projects.
• Proficiency in construction management processes, techniques, and resources.
• Thorough understanding of every aspect of the construction process.
• Good analytical skills, capable of making autonomous judgments and decisions.
• Proficiency in project management.
• A thorough understanding of software systems used in construction management.
• Good strategic planning skills, adept at coordinating multiple tasks, and equipped with a holistic perspective.
• Proficient in the management of conflicts and crises.
• Experience in human resources management.
• Exceptional attention to detail and adeptness in managing time.
• Must possess strong people skills and the capacity to collaborate effectively with both technical and non-technical individuals.