Senior Civil Engineer (Roads and Bridges) - Kiribati

Job Description

About Australian Aid and Cardno
Australia’s development program invests in an open, prosperous and resilient Indo-Pacific. Australia’s efforts contribute to stability, restarting economies post-pandemic, and managing the effects of resurgent poverty and inequality.

For over 50 years, Cardno International Development has partnered with governments, communities, and the private sector to deliver practical, innovative, and sustainable solutions for an empowered and inclusive development in various disciplines such as education, health, governance, economic growth, gender and inclusion, climate change management, infrastructure, and environment. With over 1600 staff around the world and active projects in over 60 countries, we are helping communities and clients achieve their sustainability goals with a strong commitment to use and build local capacity and empower local voices.

For more information visit our website: cddid.com

About the Program
The Australia-Pacific Partnerships Platform (AusP3) is an Australian Government initiative funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and managed by Cardno Emerging Markets. It provides Pacific Island Countries with a suite of flexible, fit-for-purpose options that support broad governance and stability development outcomes.

About the Partner Organisation
For this position, the AusP3 program is partnering with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy, (MISE), Government of Kiribati.

MISE was established by the Government to primary handle engineering work that includes, infrastructural and energy services. The Ministry’s vision is: “I-Kiribati utilising appropriate, well-maintained and climate change-resilient infrastructure and utility services.” The mission is “To develop, sustain and provide access to infrastructure and utility services to the Kiribati people in a changing socioeconomic environment using appropriate technologies.”

For more information about MISE see: https://www.mise.gov.ki/index.php/about-us/role

About the Role

The Senior Civil Engineer (Roads and Bridges) reports to the Director of Engineering Services (DES) and will support MISE with the planning, design and delivery of a broad range of civil infrastructure projects including the management of operation and maintenance of built assets, with a focus on capacity building and supplementary engineering support to MISE’s Civil Engineering Unit (CEU).

The Senior Civil Engineer (Roads and Bridges) is responsible for planning and coordinating all CEU projects and activities, the timely procurement of Technical Assistance, liaison with ministries and technical specialists within government, the management of project funds, and the effective use of resources to achieve project objectives.

Role Responsibilities and Placement Objectives

• Ensure the successful design and implementation of civil engineering projects, especially on roads and bridges.
• Lead MISE supervision of civil construction activities.
• Coordinate and quality assure the preparation of necessary preliminary and detailed engineering and design studies, including laboratory testing of materials to ensure the quality of the construction and maintenance work.
• For outsourced sites, supervise construction contractors’ activities by monitoring the quality of both materials, work and compliance to social and environmental safeguard requirements . Inputs to management of the construction contract will also be required.
• With MISE colleagues, evaluate the results of feasibility studies, ensuring that gender, disability and environmental safeguards have been appropriately considered.
• Capacity development of MISE staff in planning, design, procuring, managing, implementing engineering work, safeguarding and quality assurance for civil infrastructure.
• Integrate and provide advice and guidance on cross-cutting issues such as child protection; prevention of sexual exploitation (PSEAH), abuse and harrassment; human trafficking; gender equality; disability inclusion; and environmental protection in line with relevant Australian aid policies and other appropriate standards, and as it relates to MISE’s work.
• Support and assist MISE with the introduction of its Public Assets Management Plan and its implementation by the Civil Engineering Unit
• Provision of monthly situational reports and six-monthly formal reports against the 12-month work plan to MISE, DFAT and AusP3.

To access the Terms of Reference detailing the role, responsibilities and selection criteria for this position, please copy and paste this link into a web browser: https://www.cddid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/BPaC-TOR_Senior-Civil-Engineer-Roads-and-Bridges-MISE-Kiribati_FINAL-FOR-ADVERTISING.pdf

About You
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate a high degree of flexibility, resilience and adaptability and a preparedness to work within limited resources in a challenging environment. This includes the ability to successfully build and manage relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including Government officials.

To be successful in this role, you will have a tertiary level qualification in Civil Engineering or BSc in Civil Engineering and a proven record of achievement over a minimum of 10 years of experience in infrastructure project coordination and management, including the detailed design and supervision of civil works.

You will be required to demonstrate a strong understanding of, and commitment to Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), child protection and the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harrassment (PSEAH), anti-corruption and other DFAT safeguarding policies.

The AusP3 Program is committed to increasing the pool of Pacific Island expertise. Suitably qualified Pacific Islanders are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Selection Criteria
Essential personal attributes

• High degree of flexibility, resilience, with the ability to adapt quickly in a context of uncertainty.
• A preparedness to work with limited resources within a challenging environment.
• Willingness to travel to and work on remote outer islands as required.
• Be open minded, keen to listen and learn and respectful.
• Commitment to meeting deadlines.
• Commitment to team building.
• Strong understanding of and commitment to Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), Child Protection, PSEAH, prevention of human trafficking, environmental protection, anti-corruption and other DFAT safeguarding policies.

Essential qualifications and experience

• Tertiary Degree in Civil Engineering or a BSc in Civil Engineering.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in infrastructure project coordination and management, including the detailed design and supervision of civil works.
• Good understanding of national regulations pertaining to the environment, communal services and procurement through government agencies.
• Good knowledge of relevant design norms and construction legislation.
• Experience in organisational capacity building, including advising, supporting, training, and mentoring teams, and guiding system and process improvements.
• Superior communication and cross cultural interpersonal skills with a range of stakeholders.
• A basic first aid certificate or ability to obtain prior to deployment.

Desirable experience

• Previous experience living and working in small island states such as Kiribati, preferably low-lying atolls.
• Knowledge and experience of construction using coral sands and construction methods requiring significant manual input and direct supervision control.
• Previous experience with construction and maintenance of coastal protection systems.
• Knowledge of and experience with topographical survey by drone technology.
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and/or relevant equivalent experience.

How to Apply?
We welcome your interest in joining the AusP3 Program as an Adviser. Please ensure you review the Terms of Reference before applying (copy and paste into your browser): https://www.cddid.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/BPaC-TOR_Senior-Civil-Engineer-Roads-and-Bridges-MISE-Kiribati_FINAL-FOR-ADVERTISING.pdf

Please also take time to review the AusP3 information sheet: https://bit.ly/31wlPkc

Please visit the Cardno webiste and click ‘apply’ and submit your CV including a cover letter that addresses the selection criteria (no more than 250 words per criterion). Kindly note that applications that do not include a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria will not be considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities, LGBTQ+, women, mature age workers and people with different abilities.

If you require accommodations or adjustments during the application process, please contact our recruitment team via email at recruitment@bpacprogram.org,au in the first instance.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm Tuesday, 19 July 2022 (AEST).

Cardno is committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse, Exploitation and Harrassment (PSEAH), Child Protection, fraud and bribery prevention. We want to engage with the right people to deliver our client programs. As part of our approach you will be subjected to formal background screening, criminal record checks, employment verification, and periodic compliance checks. All Cardno staff receive safety, compliance and safeguards training and are responsible for contributing to a safer working culture.

Country Context
There are inherent opportunities and challenges that come with living and working in developing country contexts, including considerations unique to remote small island states. Applicants should consider these prior to applying.

• The Republic of Kiribati comprises 32 remote low-lying atolls and the raised phosphate island of Banaba that straddle the equator in the mid-Pacific Ocean.
• In addition to Banaba, Kiribati comprises groups of islands – the Gilbert Islands (16 populated atolls), the Phoenix Islands (8 unpopulated atolls apart from a government outpost on Kanton) and the Line Islands (9 of the 11 atolls are part of Kiribati and 2 are US territories). Three Line islands have populations: Kiritimati (Christmas Island) the largest atoll in the world, Teraina and Tabeuran.
• The total population is approximately 115,000, over half of whom live in South Tarawa, the capital of Kiribati. The total land area of South Tarawa is only 15.76 km2.
• The atoll of Tarawa has a large lagoon. North Tarawa comprises a string of islets, whereas in South Tarawa the construction of causeways has now created a single strip of land from Betio in the West to Buota in the Northeast.
• Kiribati is accessible by air from Fiji and Nauru. Regular flights have ceased during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Kiribati achieved independence from the United Kingdom on 12 July 1979. It has a 45-member unicameral parliament. A President (Te Beretitenti) is then elected by popular vote, on a first-past-the-post basis.
• Evidence from a range of sources, including carbon dating and DNA analyses, confirms that the exploration of the Pacific included settlement of the Gilbert Islands by around 200 BC. The people of Kiribati are known as I-Kiribati.
• Kiribati, in common with other small island atoll states, faces significant challenges because of its remoteness, lack of scale and vulnerability to external shocks and environmental stress.
• In 2021-22 the total Australian ODA budget estimate for Kiribati is $32 million. The pillars of the development program are health security, stability, and economic recovery from COVID-19. Funding directly supports scholarships and skill development, education sector improvement and the health system, as well as skilled advisers and volunteers. Many I-Kiribati also participate in Australian and New Zealand regional labour mobility schemes. For more information see https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/kiribati/kiribati-country-brief

Contact
If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@bpacprogram.org.au quoting Senior Civil Engineer (Kiribati) in the subject line.

About the Organization

Notice to recruitment agencies:

About Cardno International Development

We are a global provider of integrated professional services which enrich the physical and social environment for the communities in which we live and work. Our team of multidisciplinary specialists has more than 70 years’ experience in designing, developing and delivering sustainable projects and community advancement programs.

Notice to recruitment agencies: Please note that Cardno ID does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or recruitment agencies.

Cardno ID is an equal opportunity employer.

Cardno ID is committed to child protection and safeguarding the welfare of children in the delivery of our international development programs. Recruitment and selection procedures reflect this commitment and may include relevant criminal record checks.

Cardno ID is committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Child Protection and bribery prevention. We want to engage with the right people to deliver our client programs. As part of our approach you will be subjected to formal background screening, criminal record checks, employment verification, and periodic compliance checks. All Cardno ID staff receive safety, compliance and safeguards training and are responsible for contributing to a safer working culture.

Due to the anticipated volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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