STTA Construction & Security Specialist at North East Regional Initiative (NERI)

Job Location: Maiduguri, with travel to northern Borno and Yobe

Contract Term: Consultant

Duration: Six (6) months

POSITION SUMMARY

The STTA Construction & Security Specialist provides engineering expertise with a security lens to advise on implementation of engineering activities with the intention of deterring attacks by violent extremists and improving the security posture of key areas. The STTA Construction & Security Specialist will advise the NLCB engineering team on the construction of expedient physical barriers to reinforce the physical security of target areas vulnerable to violent extremist attacks in Northeast Nigeria. The STTA Construction & Security Specialist will provide military and civil engineering technical expertise on emplacement of semi-permanent structures that act as a blast wall against explosions or small-arms to deter infiltration by violent extremists. The STTA Construction & Security Specialist will work in close collaboration with the engineering and procurement teams to ensure that these infrastructure improvement activities are designed and implemented in accordance with sound technical, environmental and engineering standards within the context of a high-risk security environment.

REPORTING & SUPERVISION

The STTA Construction & Security Specialist reports to the Operations Manager based in Abuja, and closely collaborates with the Engineering Manager, the Nigeria Program Manager and the Security Manager. Target areas will be identified by the Program Managers and the Community Development Facilitators (CDFs) in the field offices. The STTA Engineer & Security Advisor will coordinate with the field procurement staff and supervise the technical aspects for infrastructure activities. The STTA Construction & Security Specialist will work with the NLCB Engineering team to ensure quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) of each construction project.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct extensive site visits in Northern Borno and Yobe States to identify opportunities for site hardening of target locations, in partnership with local government counterparts and security forces.
• Advise the Senior Management Team through weekly phone calls in identifying, and developing infrastructure projects, in close collaboration with the Program Managers and Community Development Facilitators (CDFs), and the Engineering Manager. Input will include technical expertise on construction of physical barriers, establishing constructability, and potential field difficulties;
• Advise the Engineering team through weekly meetings on project designs and specifications to ensure that all designs, drawings and BOQs are in accordance with construction of barriers for a high-risk security context;
• Work with Engineering Manager to provide oversight for infrastructure hardening projects, including regular design review, inspection, quality control/quality assurance testing and monitoring for construction projects;
• Conduct monitoring visits on a weekly basis to infrastructure project sites to monitor progress and ensure compliance with all requirements in coordination with engineers as needed;
• Participate in final review, evaluation and close out of specific engineering activities accompanied by a final report;
• Support production of adequate bills of quantity (BOQ) supported with site photos and drawings for each activity;
• Produce implementation and work plans for each infrastructure activity;
• Oversee all infrastructure activities and prepare weekly reports as necessary;

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Qualifications:

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Project Management or similar field of study is preferred;
• Experience in the Nigerian military or police; military engineer with experience in survivability or infrastructure improvement preferred;
• Familiarity with HESCO barriers or other forms of field expedient physical barrier construction;
• Experience with a USAID-funded or other international organization implementing a program operating in insecure areas and areas affected by insurgency is desirable;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to manage a diverse range of professional relationships essential;
• At least five (5) years’ general work experience. Three (3) years specific work experience with a portfolio of construction supervision activities as Resident Engineer, Construction Manager or Contractors’ Site Representative preferred;
• Willingness to travel extensively to remote areas with difficult security conditions and minimal comfort essential.
• Working knowledge of modern technical security systems, security standards and procedures within the private sector of Nigeria.
• Familiarity with USAID Environmental Compliance regulations is a plus;
• Proficient oral and written communication skills in English;
• Fluency in Hausa or Kanuri preferable.