Consultant - Field Engineer (STRONG)

Project Context and Scope

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM works to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does this by providing services and advice to governments and migrants. In The Gambia, IOM implements a wide range of programmes aimed at strengthening migration governance, supporting migrant protection and sustainable reintegration, and enhancing community resilience.

As part of these efforts, IOM is implementing the project titled “Strengthening the Reintegration of Returnees in The Gambia (STRONG) at the Community Level”, funded under the European Union’s Flexible Mechanism for Migration and Forced Displacement. The Project aims to strengthen sustainable reintegration of Gambian returnees by combining community-based reintegration (CBR) and enhanced access to mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services. Building on the foundations established under the EU-IOM Joint Initiative and the ongoing EU-funded Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA), the project aims to establish 50 community-based livelihood projects benefiting both returnees and community members, while expanding decentralized MHPSS services to improve psychological well-being and social cohesion. Through complementary capacity-building efforts, the project aims to enable state and non-state actors to take greater ownership of reintegration processes, ensuring sustainability, whole-of-government coordination and strengthened service delivery at national, regional and community levels.

The position will contribute to the planning, implementation and monitoring of community-based reintegration activities, including community infrastructure, rehabilitation works and service-related improvements, ensuring that such interventions are safe, inclusive, protection-sensitive, accessible and aligned with IOM standards, government priorities and identified community needs.

This position will be hired under the affiliated contract and will be working under the overall supervision of the Officer-in-Charge, and direct supervision of the Reintegration Officer and in coordination with the Procurement and Logistics Unit of IOM The Gambia. The successful candidate will support in design, implementation and monitoring of infrastructural activities related with establishment of community-based reintegration projects across The Gambia.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing

Retune and Reintegration Unit

Tasks to be performed under this contract

• Assist in the planning, monitoring, and reporting of infrastructural component of Community-Based Reintegration projects, ensuring compliance with IOM standards, donor requirements, safety protocols, and national construction regulations.
• Prepare, review, and validate technical drawings, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), cost estimates, technical specifications, and implementation plans for infrastructure interventions in line with IOM engineering standards and donor requirements;
• Establish and monitor quality assurance mechanisms and technical standards for infrastructure refurbishment activities, ensuring compliance with approved designs, timelines, safety standards, and contractual obligations;
• Monitor construction and rehabilitation works implemented by contractors, service providers, and community-based structures, ensuring quality control and timely completion of activities;
• Coordinate closely with Procurement, Supply Chain, RMU, and programme teams to provide technical expertise for tendering processes, contractor selection, procurement planning, and contract management related to infrastructure activities;
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor infrastructure works, identify implementation challenges, verify progress, and recommend corrective actions where necessary;
• Coordinate closely with local authorities, technical services, contractors, community leaders, and implementing partners to facilitate implementation, approvals, and operational coordination of infrastructure projects;
• Support the integration of labour-intensive and community participation approaches where feasible, including opportunities linked to livelihoods, local economic support, and reintegration objectives;
• Ensure proper documentation of all construction, engineering activities, including contracts, work permits, site assessments, compliance records, progress reports, photographic evidence, and other supporting documents;
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineers, technical staff, and implementing partners, ensuring the consistent application of engineering standards, methodologies, and best practices across infrastructure interventions;
• Ensure compliance with IOM engineering standards, health and safety requirements, environmental considerations, and relevant national regulations throughout project implementation;

• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

At the end of the assignment, the consultant is expected to have:

• The number of technical drawings, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), cost estimates, technical specifications, and implementation plans prepared, validate and implemented as per IOM engineering standards and donor requirements;
• Established quality assurance mechanisms and technical standards for infrastructure refurbishment activities, ensuring compliance with approved designs, timelines, safety standards, and contractual obligations;
• The number of sites visited conducted to monitor infrastructure works

Education

• University BA and MA in Civil/Structural Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Environmental Engineering, and/or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 4 years of experience in construction, engineering projects.
• Experience working with international organizations NGOs, or UN agencies is an asset.
• Experience in designing and implementing community-based reintegration projects/initiatives and social cohesion in the community.

• Experience in undertaking regular travel in the project intervention areas.

• Knowledge of the broad range of migration-related subject areas dealt with by the Organization

• Experience in working in a multi-cultural environment;

• Experience in team coordination:
• Working experience in the region and in a humanitarian setting is an advantage

Skills

• Good computer knowledge in MS office packages.
• Demonstrated capacity and skills in the use of AutoCAD, ProgeCAD, ArcGIS, and RCD 2000.
• Ability to adapt technical knowledge and expertise to specific project or activities.
• Ability to work with colleagues from different cultural and professional backgrounds; flexibility to perform and deliver in difficult and rapidly changing situations is essential.
• Ability to work quickly and accurately and pay attention to detail.
• Willingness to assist efficiently in a very busy project environment.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Ability to present clear and concise information and good communication skills i.e. strong writing and reporting skills.
• Strong communication and cultural sensitivity.

Languages

• Full working proficiency in English is required

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Travel required

• Conduct regular field visits to monitor infrastructure works, identify implementation challenges, verify progress, and recommend corrective actions where necessary

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies - behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

• Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
• IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.
• IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
• IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
• IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

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