Infrastructure Development Officer (7 Positions)

Job Purpose:

The Infrastructure Development Officer will work under the TRAIL III Project and the Rural Connectivity for Improved Food Security Programme (RCFSP) to provide technical assistance and operational support in rural infrastructure development, with a particular focus on Trail bridges and foot trail networks, ensuring successful project implementation.

The incumbent will deliver capacity-building and technical support in the areas of trail bridge and trail improvement design, construction, operation, and maintenance for project staff, government institutions, private sector actors, and communities. The position holder will provide training, coaching, and support to regional teams on design, construction, operation, and maintenance, ensuring knowledge transfer from Nepal coaches to Ethiopian engineers, consultants, and contractors. This includes expertise in short-span, long-span, wider deck, and stone arch bridges, among other technologies.

Additionally, the officer will collaborate closely with regional road bureaus and universities to promote the inclusion of trail bridge topics in educational curricula, integrate trail bridges into government plans and financing mechanisms, and support the development of a web-based data management system.

​Duties and Responsibilities:

​​Capacity Development and Technical Support to Key Stakeholders

• ​Coordinate trail bridge needs assessments in collaboration with the Partnership and Capacity Development Officer to provide government partners and other stakeholders with the information required to prioritize rural access in plans and budgets.
• ​Promote the inclusion of trail bridges and trail improvements in government development plans and financing strategies.
• ​Work closely with universities to improve designs, foster innovation, and integrate trail bridge technology into educational curricula.
• ​Provide training, coaching, and technical support to regional teams, government institutions, private actors, and communities on the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of trail bridges and foot trail networks. Ensure knowledge transfer from Nepal coaches to Ethiopian engineers, consultants, and contractors, covering short-span, long-span, wider deck, and stone arch bridges.
• ​Advise and support on design, Bills of Quantities (BoQ), and other specifications for trail bridges and trail improvements in compliance with design requirements, partner internal rules, and applicable regulations and policies, including design manuals.
• ​Support government partners in all rural transport infrastructure engineering activities, including project design, preparation, implementation, supervision, and coordination with other stakeholders, donors, and development partners.
• ​Provide inputs for tender preparation and evaluation reports and assist in reviewing technical and financial proposals for contracts related to project implementation.
• ​Develop the capacity of local teams, including regional, zonal, and Woreda-level government stakeholders, as well as project teams working on rural infrastructure planning, design, and implementation.
• ​Collaborate with government technical teams to review consultant and contractor performance, prepare completion reports, and ensure lessons learned are applied to new project sites.
• ​Support and advise government technical teams to ensure quality and compliance with standards set by the Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA).
• ​Undertake analytical work and provide technical guidance on rural transport infrastructure, focusing on strategies to ensure sustainability of trail bridges and foot trail networks.

Project Implementation

• ​Develop realistic work plans for all engineering-related aspects of the project in collaboration with project staff and partners.
• ​Ensure project implementation proceeds according to approved work plans and take timely corrective actions when necessary.
• ​Support the management of works in accordance with organizational rules, regulations, and procedures, including works contracts, and ensure timely completion of projects.
• ​Assist in procurement processes in line with approved procurement and construction strategies and applicable policies.
• ​Work harmoniously with rural communities, local government partners, and other project team members to ensure timely and effective project delivery.
• ​Support project teams and government technical personnel in overseeing and managing the construction of trail bridges and foot trail networks.

​Quality Assurance and Knowledge Management

• ​Actively participate in and review designs for suspended and suspension bridges, including designing safety lines for these structures.
• ​Support technical assessments of prospective bridge sites, including surveys, aerial imagery evaluation, and preliminary design alternatives.
• ​Identify and anticipate potential risks and challenges and advise on mitigation measures and solutions while defining intermediate steps for project execution.
• ​Continuously monitor and analyze delivery data using the dashboard system.
• ​Coordinate quality control of project/program documents and deliverables.
• ​Prepare reports, case studies, and documentation of lessons learned.
• ​Coordinate and participate in studies planned under the project.
• ​Collaborate with staff, regional government, and universities to develop and operationalize a web-based data management system.​

Qualifications:

• B.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Technology and Management, Public Works Engineering, or a related field of study.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant and progressive professional experience, particularly in rural road construction planning, budgeting, design, contract management, construction supervision, and monitoring.
• Proven experience in quality control and quality assurance of trail bridges and footpath networks.
• Strong understanding of rural infrastructure development, with specific expertise in surveying, design, and execution of trail bridges and foot trail networks.
• Solid knowledge of monitoring and quality control systems, with the ability to disseminate and transfer technical know-how.
• Proficiency in physical progress reporting and documentation.
• Experience working with INGOs and/or donor-funded road projects is an advantage.
• Familiarity with the Ethiopian Road Sector Development Program, including relevant guidelines, standards, and specifications.

Skills and competencies required

• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Competences in the use of Microsoft Office applications (MS-Project, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); knowledge of SAP is a plus.
• Knowledge and skill of GIS related software is an asset.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Flexible, capable of working independently, high integrity, and hard-working.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required; Proficiency in the local languages of the region applied is mandatory.