Long Term Consultant: International Specialist: Rural Infrastructure Engineer - ADB LAO Sustainable Agrifood Systems Sector Project

Position: International Specialist: Construction Design and Supervision Specialist  

Background: Winrock International is recruiting an International Specialist: Construction Design and Supervision Specialist for an Asian Development Bank (ADB) opportunity in Laos focused on Sustainable Agrifood systems. The project will contribute to food security and nutrition improved, and agricultural value addition increased in a climate resilient and gender-responsive manner in Lao PDR. 

This position will be a part-time consultancy that will require a commitment of 4 person months over a 5-year period.  

Location: Remote with travel to Laos required. 

Major Responsibilities:  

• Coordinate with the Rural Infrastructure Engineers to support the Team Leader in establishing an operational system from the central to the provincial levels for organizing surveys, detailed designs, cost estimates, and preparation of BoQs, as well as supervising construction activities undertaken by the national consulting firms. Ensure that the system functions effectively and complies with the general contractual provisions, including but not limited to change requests, review and control of Interim Payment Certificates prior to submission to the PMU Director for payment approval, and other related matters.  

• Work closely with other consultants under the IPS to recommend appropriate gender responsive design features and nature-based solutions to the two National Design and Construction Supervision Consulting Firms — one based in the north (serving Houaphanh and Phongsaly provinces, with a connectivity road focus), and another in the south (based in Pakse, serving the three southern provinces of Champasak, Salavane, and Xekong) — for integration into their infrastructure technical designs.  

• Provide training to the National Design and Construction Supervision Consulting Firms, local related construction management departments/authorities, and contractors to strengthen their capacity in contract management, including preparation of IPCs, handling change requests, calculation and management of price adjustments, dealing with force majeure (when applicable), and managing time and cost claims, as well as conducting Tests on Completion, in full compliance with FIDIC MDB 2010 procedures. 

Qualifications  

Education: Master’s qualification or tertiary qualification from a recognized institution majoring in civil engineering, preferably at M.Sc. level in civil engineering, water resources engineering, roads engineering or a related field  

Experience:  

• At least 10 years experience in experience in irrigation or rural roads project construction design and supervision with demonstrated experience in nature based solutions. 

• Extensive experience working with other specialist engineering design consultants dealing with engineering topics hydrology, geotechnics, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering with a demonstrated ability to cooperate in a team with agriculture, social, environment and marketing specialists as well as those involved in other aspects of the overall project design. 

• Experience with FIDIC Red Book (required) 

• Familiar with the requirements of the international development agencies requirements in financial intermediary designed projects.  

• Experience working in LAO PDR (preferred)  

• Experience working with ADB preferred.  

• Experience working in ASEAN countries – particularly in Lao PDR, Vietnam, and Cambodia considered as an advantage 

Computer Skills: Proficiency in using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Advanced proficiency in Excel is preferred. 

Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, including effective public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in written form. 

Language: Fluent in English (written and spoken), Thai or Lao language skills (preferred) 

Physical Demands: This position requires travel to Laos  

This position is based on-going donor funding.  

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal treatment for all people. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by law. 

At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.