Senior Water Resources Engineer - International Relief & Development

Location: Kabul, Afghanistan      

Classification: Regular Full-time

Summary
IRD provides assistance to Afghanistan Ministry of Energy & Water (MEW) in supporting the planning and development of the MEW water resources capital investment plans. The MEW is responsible for managing, maintaining, and building water-related infrastructure projects. The Senior Water Resources Engineer will provide a broad range of water resources planning and engineering technical support to MEW. This will include reviews of dam analyses - covering slope stability, seepage, water balance, surface water and groundwater from conceptual through detailed design and construction stages.
Essential Job Functions:

• Review and analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, and other topographic or geologic data;
• Review and analyze plan and design of hydraulic structures in accordance with international standards utilizing design software and drawing tools;
• Review and analyze load and grade requirements, discharge rates and material stress factors to determine design specifications;
• When warranted, inspect project sites to review progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety standards;
• When warranted, participate in surveying to lay out installations and establish reference points, grades, and elevations to guide construction;
• Review estimated quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to determine project feasibility.
• Prepare and present reports such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, and property and right-of-way descriptions;
• Review soil and material testing reports to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations, concrete, asphalt, or steel;
• Provide technical advice regarding design, construction, or program modifications and structural repairs to industrial and managerial personnel;
• Review feasibility and engineering studies to identify engineering problems and assess the potential impact of projects;
• Provide technical assistance to field projects in water sector systems design and operations and in support of project goals;
• Carry out program assessments in support of defining new programs, projects, or guiding work plans of existing projects in collaboration with the Senior Water Sector Advisor;
• Conduct monitoring and evaluation in support of project goals;
• Help develop proposals that are responsive to the needs of the MEW water infrastructure investment plans;
• Contribute to MEW Project Management, Project Implementation & Technical Monitoring professional development of staff and provide staff training;
• Contribute to participatory Quality Control and Program Monitoring and Evaluation;
• Assist with program development of efficient operation and maintenance of developed infrastructure;
• Assess staff capacities and develop recommended plans of ministerial training needs;
• Assist in coordinating technical staff training where necessary;
• Travel on a regular basis to various water sector project locations to give technical and management support and motivate various teams; and
• Provide other technical advice and carry out duties as requested.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Degree in engineering with a specialization in water resources and hydraulic engineering.
• Minimum of 20 years of directly relevant experience (or an equivalent combination of training and experience) in water resources planning and design.
• Direct experience with planning, design, construction and operation and maintenance of medium-large dam projects.
• Ability to work well in difficult environments.
• Outstanding interpersonal and team building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including report writing.
• A licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or equivalent.

• Demonstrated practical background in all water sector sub-sectors, including water supply and water resources infrastructure.
• Familiarity with and experience of applying international water sector standards.
• Good command of international standards in design and specifications of various types of dams e.g. Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC), Earthfill, Embankment or Rockfill, Gravity, and Buttress.
• Working knowledge of hydraulic and dam structural analyses software.
• Working knowledge of geotechnical & geological aspects of large water infrastructure, e.g. dams.
• Working knowledge of survey and research methods.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building and staff training in complex working environments (e.g. post-conflict settings).

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Master’s degree;
• Ability to communicate in Dari (Farsi) would be a considerable asset.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D and Arc GIS.
• Experience in grant management, with emphasis on preparation of terms of reference.

Success Factors:

• Ability to maintain effective performance under pressure or adversity.
• Ability to handle stress; managing own personal growth and development continuously; managing emotions and stresses positively, adapting to change.
• Taking decisive actions to achieve goals in formulative environments and changing contexts; analyzing and diagnosing problems with depth and insight; displaying sound judgment, and decision making; providing creativity and innovation.
• Working with others to achieve goals; resolving conflict successfully; building rapport, communicating effectively and maintaining relationships within changing conditions.
• Showing drive and initiative, taking ownership, being accountable.

Travel Requirements:

• Up to 30%

Physical Requirements:

All IRD personnel who work in Afghanistan must be physically able: (i) to function for extended periods of time wearing personal protective body armor weighing approximately 35 pounds and a helmet weighing approximately 5 pounds; (ii) to walk comfortably over rough terrain; and (iii) to ascend up to six flights of stairs on a daily basis.  Candidates will be required to provide medical certification to IRD's satisfaction of the absence of any conditions that might impair a candidate's ability to meet these requirements.

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