Infrastructure Project Manager

Description About Mercy Corps Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Program / Department Summary Mercy Corps has been operational in Puerto Rico since 1st October 2017. Following Hurricane Maria, Mercy Corps is supporting relief and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico in both rural and urban settings. We have a team in Puerto Rico that is focused on helping local organizations deliver humanitarian assistance and start rebuilding the communities ravaged by the hurricane. Our recovery approach will focus on meeting immediate energy and water needs and building back a better energy and water system, as well as providing comprehensive wrap-around services for communities in need. Our work will center on 15 existing local Community Centers and provide the emergency solar power, tools and support needed to transform them into Resilience Hubs, which will serve as critical resource points and have the ability to promote both social cohesion and resilience. These existing community centers already serve as key gathering points, aid distribution sites, places for community events. With our support, they will be able to do even more to support families in need, providing access to basic services and building resilience. Under this assignment, Mercy Corps will work to restore emergency drinking water up to 15 communities. If warranted, PV solar systems will be utilized. Our team also plans to install up to 15 solar energy systems to provide power for pumping water for the same community centers where possible. These systems will provide emergency water supplies to more than 10,000 people as they are installed between July 2018 and May 2019. The Project will add much-needed resilience to the local power grid and provide uninterrupted power supply for a new local groundwater pumping system. It is envisioned that the PV systems will be in range of 15 kW or smaller . General Position Summary The Infrastructure Project Manager is responsible for all water infrastructure aspects of the projects in the assigned targeted areas. The Project Manager will also supervise proper implementation, planning, completion of the solar energy component without responsibilities on the technical details. Also, may supervise a consultant engineering team as well as internal water team staff. He/she will work closely with local communities leaders, local agencies and other local Mercy Corps staff including our Infrastructure technical team located in Portland, Oregon. Essential Job Responsibilities Infrastructure Project Management Lead selection of water projects, conducting feasibility investigations, lead design and cost estimation process, prepare work plans, plan for implementation of the infrastructure projects. Liaise effectively with the community groups and public agencies to explain and promote the emergency hub concept. Select and lead consultant team preparing conceptual designs for emergency potable water systems. Manage selection consultant team in preparation of technical specification for all water infrastructure projects. Manage consultant team in preparation of all technical documentation for the tendering process. He/she should maintain updates work plans and schedules including construction management activities. Work together with the local Mercy Corps project teams to ensure that all water infrastructure projects are implemented in the selected communities. In coordination with program leadership, M&E team, communities and construction companies will ensure quality and timeless of all projects. Conduct frequent site visits to determine any deviation and challenges, and suggest appropriate solutions. He/she should interact with contractors during construction to ensure quality and approve progress payments. Provide feedback to the Mercy Corps Monitoring and Evaluation system in order to assess the effectiveness of the projects and impact, and propose recommendations for improvements. Team Management Identify training need and deliver capacity-building activities both for the program engineering team as well as for beneficiaries. Coordinate and communicate with local authorities, program monitoring consulting firm, donor and other implementing partners to avoid overlapping and obtain all necessary no objection certifications. He/she will be the lead Mercy Corps contact for PRASA, the local water and power utility. The Water Project Manager will be responsible for developing necessary relationships with PRASA to enable MC to provide support at both the utility as well as community level. Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian/development mission in Puerto Rico Work within communities in a manner that ensures safety and minimizes disruption during construction. Prepare site visit and quality check reports and contribute to overall program reporting to the donor and the government. Ensure and maintain a proper filing system as both hard copies and soft copies. Assist in development and evaluation of subcontracts with technical experts outside of Mercy Corps Lead QA/QC process ensuring all technical reviews are conducted according to best practices. Coordinate with Mercy Corps HQ staff as required for assistance Other duties assigned by supervisor. Program Management Coordinate with program, finance and administrative staff to ensure systems are in compliance with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures. Ensure program implementation is on time, on target and on-budget using effective M&E systems. Support community involvement in all phases of the project cycle Influence & Representation Communicate with local partners (name), as well as (name any sub-grantees), to verify their systems and that they understand and follow all appropriate procedures and archiving. Maintain productive relationships with all stakeholders, vendors, suppliers, etc. Consistently demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances. Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity. Demonstrate an awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs. Security Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership. Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies. Organizational Learning As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves. Accountability to Beneficiaries Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. Supervisory Responsibility Supervises Senior Mechanical Engineer and Engineer Associate. Possible oversight of program construction inspectors. Accountability Reports Directly To: Program Manager Resilience and Partnerships Works Directly With: Puerto Rico Director, Operations Manager Procurement department and if requested with technical personnel of program implementing partners as well as with Mercy Corps HQ Infrastructure team. Knowledge and Experience BSc or Master Degree in engineering preferred, planning, architecture or other relevant field. 2 years of experience in energy related project management. Strong preference for someone with experience in water systems within a community context or emergency response. Ability to manage and work collaboratively with design-build mechanical/ electrical consulting engineers who will develop associated electrical power system designs, including PV solar. Ability to write clear task orders for design contractors and effectively negotiate changes as required. Basic knowledge of design and operations of community water systems including piping, pumps, controls, storage reservoirs, treatment and well operation. Knowledge of the local construction industry would be a plus. Strong organizational and communication skills. Ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel. Excellent oral and written skills in English and Spanish languages. Experience in leading development of clear and concise construction documents for tender Experience in reviewing tenders and developing recommendation for award Construction management experience including ability to review contractor work plans, budgets and work progress preferred. Strong computer skills on MS Office programs, Auto CAD 2D and 3D, Primavera, MS project preferred. Demonstrated ability to multi-task and process information into action to avoid delaying program activities. A clear understanding of assets, transport, property ethics and donor compliance is essential. Should have the ability to have frequent travels to all project locations in Puerto Rico. Success Factors The successful Project Manager will be good at problem solving and have the ability to work out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations. S/he will maintain stro...