Construction Manager -JigJiga

CAAP Background

CAAP is a local NGO operating in the Somali region, with a vision to create a poverty-free Somali regional state in which women are empowered to build a resilient, inclusive, and fair future for themselves, their families, and their communities. CAAP’s strategic plan for the next seven years (2024-2030) aims to empower girls and women through integrated, sustainable, cost-effective, evidence-based, coordinated, and impactful programs in the Somali region and throughout Ethiopia. CAAP is planning to implement the Climate Adaptive Livelihoods (CAMEL) Program in partnership with WFP to improve the resilience, food, and nutrition security for the targeted vulnerable pastoral and agro-pastoral populations across Harshin, Mulla, Erer, Aw-Bare, Tuliguled, and Haroreys woredas of Sitti and Fafen Zones of the Somali region, Ethiopia.

The CAMEL Program strengthens agriculture and livestock production and productivity, access to markets and market linkages, financial inclusion, and the promotion of the production and consumption of diversified foods to improve the nutrition status of the population in target woredas. The implementation of this program will improve smallholder farmers’ productivity, enhance their incomes, and build resilience, contributing to the country’s vision of becoming a middle-income country by 2030. Therefore, CAAP is seeking competent, committed, and professional staff to fill Construction Manager positions in the Somali Region, Ethiopia.

Job Purpose Summary:

The Construction Manager is responsible for technical leadership, planning, coordination, oversight, quality assurance, and timely completion of all infrastructure activities under the CAMEL Program. This includes the construction of rangeland and livestock-supporting water infrastructure (weirs, dykes, ponds), water and soil conservation activities, and other required infrastructure, as well as the establishment and operationalization of water management committees across target woredas. The role ensures compliance with environmental, social, structural, and safety standards and integrates community participation (including women, youth, and persons with disabilities) and sustainability principles throughout the construction lifecycle.

KEY AREAS OF Responsibilities:

• Lead the review and finalization of infrastructure designs (ponds, weirs/dykes, etc.), detailed construction plans, and Bills of Quantities (BoQs) tailored to local needs and environmental considerations, safety standards, regulatory and operational guidelines, and program objectives.
• Validate designs with stakeholders (government engineers, WFP technical team) and update as needed.
• Oversee the whole construction lifecycle from initial design review to final commissioning—with the ability to implement phased construction approaches, which include preparation and release of tender documents and advertisements, technical clarifications during bid submission and evaluation, pre-qualification, bid evaluations, contractor selection processes in compliance with donor, WFP, and CAAP procurement policies, contractor onboarding and pre-construction/site mobilization meetings
• Ensure signed contracts include technical schedules, quality standards, safety requirements, and environmental and social safeguards (ESS).
• Support quality assurance and supervision, including carrying out material testing and performance evaluations, to guarantee structural soundness and functionality.
• Monitor construction progress, managing risks (such as delays or quality issues), and ensuring timely resolution of any challenges.
• Ensure the quality of the infrastructure is aligned with the construction guidelines, ensuring that all projects adhere to quality, safety, and environmental standards.
• Lead daily/weekly supervision of on-site works for ponds, dykes/weirs, and aggregation facilities.
• Ensure adherence to design specifications, safety protocols, national building codes, quality materials, and ESS requirements.
• Incorporating green energy solutions and sustainable building practices to ensure environmental sustainability (rainwater harvesting, solar pumps, passive cooling, climate-adapted materials).
• Incorporate community participatory approaches, including developing skills and knowledge for local youths, women, and persons with disabilities to participate throughout construction and ensure effective management and ownership (planning, labor contribution, monitoring).
• Support the establishment of water management and rangeland committees (7 members per structure) and plan/coordinate their training on operations and maintenance (O&M)
• Maintain accurate records of all construction activities, agreements, supervision reports, and compliance documents.
• Provide timely technical input for monthly, quarterly, and donor reporting needs.
• Capture lessons learned and recommended improvements for subsequent construction phases.
• Ensure strict adherence to Environmental and Social Safety nets (ESS) approaches and enforcement of Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) regulations on all sites.
• Monitor compliance with child protection, AAP, PSEA, and other safeguarding policies.
• Coordinate with MEAL, Gender & Nutrition, and Safeguarding teams to integrate cross-cutting compliance measures.

Department: Project Implementation Unit

Direct Hierarchy: Program Manager

Contract duration: Fixed

Location: JigJiga

Number of Positions: One (1)

Starting date: February 1, 2026

Contract duration: 11 months

Career Level: Mid-Senior Level (Minimum 8+ years of relevant experience)

Employment Type: Full-time

Salary: CAAP salary scale

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Civil Engineering, hydrology, Construction Management, Architecture, or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of proven experience in project construction management, infrastructure design oversight, and supervision in rural/development settings.
• Demonstrated experience in supervisory roles for multi-site construction (water infrastructure, warehouses, rural infrastructure).
• Prior experience with UN/INGO/NGO construction projects and ESS/green building standards strongly preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong planning, organization, and multitasking skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, BoQs, and construction standards.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project, AutoCAD review, and construction quality tools.
• Ability and willingness to frequently travel and stay in the field/Hardship environment (>70%
• Proven ability to work under pressure and with multiple concurrent demands.
• Fluency in English and Somali languages
• Computer skills, particularly in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience using Outlook, ability to organize meetings in teams, Kobo tool, and ODK