Geotechnical Engineer / International Expert

Background

Strengthening Drought Resilience 2 (SDR 2) is a project implemented in the Afar region of Ethiopia by the Ministry of Agriculture (Project Executing Agency) and the Regional Bureau of Agriculture Livestock and Natural Resource Development (BoLANRD, Project Implementing Agency). The project is supported by implementing consultants consisting of the Consortium of GITEC-IGP GmbH (GITEC) and the NGO Support for Sustainable Development (SSD).  GITEC is an international consulting company based in Cologne, Germany. SSD is a national NGO established in 2003 with many years of work experience in Afar region with focus on small-scale irrigation.

Project Description

The project Strengthening Drought Resilience 2 (SDR 2) is focusing on improved water supply for pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Afar region. This objective is pursued among others through the construction of sand dams and submerged dams. Two sand dams are being constructed in in Ada’ar and Kori Woredas:

• Dakha Bhuyi Sand Dam and Submerged Dam, Eli Badu Sand Dam (Kori Woreda)
• Fursa, Dubra, Hafalu Sand Dams (Adaar Woreda)

Construction of the project is expected to begin in September 2023 and continue until end of 2024, pending and extension of the project phase by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BMZ through KfW Development Bank.

Key Role:

The geotecnical engineer will be responsible for assessing geological conditions such as rock foundations and other relevant parameters at construction sites for the construction of sand dams. The assessment of such parameters have to be made comprehensively and on time  to avoid delays during constructions.

Specific tasks:

• Investigate the foundation condition at the sand dam axis during excavation by the contractor and evaluate if hard bedrock is reached to anchor the bottom structure to it. If the hard bedrock is not reached at design depth, recommend appropriate alternatives to fix the foundation level;
• For each level at which hard material is encountered, log depth and material, and assess the quality and hardness of the materials at the dam foundation;
• Compile a file for the two sites detailing the findings of the investigation;
• Prepare a geotechnical investigation report.

Project title: Strengthening Drought Resilience in Ethiopia (SDR-2)

Period of project: Approximately 09/2023 – 09/2024

Duration of Assignment: 3 months

Country: Ethiopia 

Qualifications:

Education:

• BSc in Civil Engineering or geology or a similar discipline

Requirements and Skill:

• Good knowledge and at least 7 years of practical experience in geotechnical surveying and design;
• Assess and monitor the condition of foundations during construction at project sites and lead the construction team to ensure stable foundation structures;
• Excellent skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management;
• Proven experience in supervision construction supervision of hydraulic civil works structures;
• Experience in working with rural (pastoral and agro pastoral) communities.

Regional experience:

• Work experience in rural areas and in the lowlands of Afar or Somali region.

Donor experience:

• Experience of working with donor-funded projects in similar positions.

Language skills:

• Proficiency in the English language and Amharic;
• Proficiency in Afar language would be an advantage.