WORKING CONTEXT:

NRC (Norwegian Refugee Council) has been working in Lebanon since 2006 and supports vulnerable populations through WASH, shelter, education, ICLA, basic assistance and protection interventions across the country.
Within its WASH programming, NRC implements rehabilitation and improvement of water and sanitation infrastructure, emergency WASH activities, support to public service providers, and community-level interventions. A significant part of the work in Bekaa involves water-supply infrastructure, including water sources, pumping systems, reservoirs, transmission and distribution networks and their related components.
Within this framework, NRC seeks to engage a WASH Engineer to support technical assessment, design, implementation and supervision of WASH infrastructure activities. The Engineer will work closely with the WASH CSP Team Leader, NRC technical colleagues, contractors, consultants, suppliers, Water Establishments, municipalities and other relevant stakeholders. The role is expected to maintain strong field presence and provide practical engineering support from assessment through implementation and handover.

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The responsibilities of the WASH Engineer Consultant include, but are not limited to, the following activities:
Studies, Assessments and Reporting (40%)
• Collect and verify technical information on existing water sources, wells, pumping stations, reservoirs, transmission lines, distribution networks and service connections.
• Conduct field surveys and ground-truth available drawings, as-built information and previous assessments, including measurements of network alignment, levels, pressure, flow and other relevant site conditions.
• Assess the condition and functionality of water-network components including pipes, fittings, valves, air valves, washouts, pressure-reducing valves, bulk/customer meters, chambers, manholes and related accessories.
• Identify leakage, pressure, continuity-of-supply, accessibility, operation and maintenance problems and recommend practical rehabilitation or upgrade measures.
• Prepare and/or review technical drawings, sketches, Bills of Quantities, cost estimates, scopes of work and technical specifications for WASH infrastructure activities.
• Carry out basic hydraulic calculations and support water-balance, network-zoning or hydraulic-modelling exercises where required, in coordination with relevant technical specialists.
• Collect and organize field findings using GIS or other approved mapping/data tools where applicable.
• Prepare regular progress reports and technical notes documenting progress, findings, challenges, risks and recommendations, and provide inputs to programme and donor reporting when required.
Activities Implementation and Site Supervision (50%)
• Support and follow up the design and implementation of rehabilitation, upgrade and construction works in coordination with the WASH CSP Team Leader and NRC technical team.
• Supervise water-network works including excavation, bedding, pipe installation or replacement, service connections, leak repairs, fittings, valves, chambers, meters, thrust/anchor blocks, crossings, backfilling, compaction and reinstatement.
• Support implementation and supervision of wells, pumping stations, reservoirs, water points, solar-pumping systems and associated civil and electromechanical works where relevant.
• Inspect line, level, depth, alignment, pipe diameter/class, jointing, concrete works, backfilling and other critical construction details before approving completed stages.
• Review and verify materials, equipment and supplies provided by contractors or suppliers and ensure compliance with approved specifications, contracts and applicable standards.
• Witness and document pressure testing, leakage testing, flushing, disinfection, commissioning and other required quality-control tests.
• Follow up contractor work plans, technical submittals, shop drawings, method statements and implementation progress, and report delays or non-compliance to the supervisor.
• Verify executed quantities and measurements and maintain accurate records to support payment verification, variations, close-out and handover.
• Identify defective or non-compliant work, communicate required corrective actions clearly and follow up until closure.
• Monitor site Health and Safety requirements and immediately report or stop unsafe activities through the appropriate supervision line when necessary.
Liaison and Coordination (10%)
• Liaise and collaborate with the NRC WASH team and relevant Programme, Logistics and support colleagues.
• Coordinate with Bekaa Water Establishment and other public service providers where activities are implemented on their infrastructure.
• Coordinate with municipalities, local authorities, contractors, consultants, suppliers and other stakeholders as required for implementation.
• Support planning of field visits, site access, work sequencing and coordination between different parties working on the same infrastructure.
• Maintain professional communication with communities and facility representatives and raise technical or protection-related concerns through the appropriate NRC channels.

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

The prospective WASH Engineer Consultant should, as a minimum, have the following functional and technical competencies and skills:
Educational Background: A university degree or equivalent in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water/Hydraulic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or another relevant engineering discipline.
• Driving license: A valid driving licence is preferred due to the field-based nature of the assignment.
• Work Experience:
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant engineering experience in WASH, water infrastructure, construction, rehabilitation, consulting, contracting or utility operations.
• Practical experience in water-network rehabilitation, construction, maintenance or operation is strongly preferred.
• Previous experience in Lebanon, preferably in the Bekaa region, is an asset.
• Previous experience with public utilities, Water Establishments, municipalities or infrastructure contractors is desirable.
• Experience in site supervision, BoQ preparation, quantity verification and contract management of infrastructure works is desirable.
Skills and Abilities:
• Good written and spoken communication skills.
• Ability to read and prepare engineering drawings, BoQs, technical specifications and cost estimates.
• Good understanding of water-network components, construction methods, quality control, testing and commissioning.
• Ability to identify technical problems on site and propose practical and safe solutions.
• Proven organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and sites and perform under pressure.
• Ability to work autonomously while knowing when technical, safety or contractual issues need to be escalated.
• Ability to maintain professional relationships with organisations, public institutions, service providers, contractors and communities.
• Commitment to knowledge transfer and capacity building of colleagues and partners.
• Integrity in line with NRC values and ethical standards.
• Cultural, gender, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Languages
• Professional written and spoken English.
• Native or fluent spoken Arabic.
Computer Skills
• Professional working skills in AutoCAD.
• Good competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word and Excel.
• Experience in GIS software is desirable.
• Experience in hydraulic modelling software such as WaterCAD or WaterGEMS is desirable.

WASH Infrastructure Engineer-Bekaa-Zahle