Project Support Assistant - Road Maintenance G4 (7 Positions)

Introduction

This ILO technical assistance form’s part an integral part of a larger Rural Access and Agriculture Marketing Project (RAAMP) Scale up, Nigeria delivered by Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with 5 States Projects Implementation Unit. Within this framework, the Road Maintenance Engineer will be responsible for Roads Maintenance activities within the scope of the ILO technical assistance especially for Routine Maintenance and Spot Improvements and Decent work component in the states. The Road Maintenance Engineer will be the key resource person with state Road Maintenance Engineer (STRME), assisting in development and implementation of Routine maintenance and Spot Improvements of selected Road’s infrastructure in the state project area advising SPIU   in policy planning, promoting decent work, roads and bridge maintenance, OSH and Decent Employment promotion. She/he will be acting as ILO officials in SPIUs working on Maintenance and capacity building of SPIUS and Government field staff and Road’s maintenance Groups. 

These positions are in 7 RAAMP duty stations (Ado Ekiti, Abakaliki, Gombe, Katsina, Lokoja, Osogbo, Jos) stationed at SPIUs and will contribute to the overall establishment and monitoring of sustainable road maintenance system and Spot Improvement within the states. To perform his/her duties, the Junior Roads Maintenance Engineer will be required to spend almost half of his/her time in the field providing technical backstopping to the Project team and Contractors.

Applicants should indicate the location being applied for in their cover letter.

Assessed candidates who will be considered as appointable but not selected for the location applied for can also be offered to be assigned to another location within the 12 RAAMP states (Ekiti, Ebonyi, Gombe, Katsina, Kogi, Osun, Plateau, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Niger, Sokoto) at the same or at a lower grade provided that said candidates possesses the minimum qualifications. 

Reporting lines:
Under the supervision and guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor CTA based in FPMU in Abuja, and in close collaboration with the Training Roads Maintenance Technical Officer and Senior Roads Maintenance Engineer, Road’s maintenance Engineer and State Roads Maintenance Engineer. The JRME will directly report to State Roads Maintenance Engineer in respective State. 

Description of Duties

The project Assistnt will assist STRME in the works operations within the Maintenance and Spot Improvement and capacity building component of RAAMP SU. Junior Roads Maintenance Engineer will be given the responsibility of a state infrastructure works for which they will be the key resource person, including initial feasibility studies, preliminary designs, quantity surveying, supervision and inspection of works, use of appropriate technology, conditions of employment of labour, OSH, gender, environment and other crosscutting issues related to the works.

The Junior Roads Maintenance Engineer shall be based in the States Project Implementation Unit (SPIUs) and will be responsible for providing technical support to SPIUs in overall achievements of the rural road’s routine maintenance and Spot Improvements activities under the project. He /She shall report day to day to the State Road Maintenance Engineer of SPIUs on activities and ILO’s Chief Technical Advisor/ Training and Roads Maintenance Technical Officer/Senior Road Maintenance Engineer in the FPMU and shall be technically supported by the State Road Maintenance Engineer. 

His /her key responsibilities shall be to support the PMU and the project team in the following areas: 
1.    Assist SPIUs in data collection, including supporting road condition surveys and updating of rural roads inventory in the states. Support the preparation and follow-up of annual and multi-year road maintenance plans with computerized information systems. This will include activities such as data collection, drafting, communication, monitoring and review on a yearly basis. 
2.    Support the organization of technical field trainings, assist in training and development of Road Maintenance Groups and Spot Improvement maintenance contractors, on-site and off-site training modules for States level maintenance events.
3.    Assist in the preparation of basic documentation related to routine and spot maintenance works, including compiling information for cost estimates, bills of quantities, and bidding documents, under the guidance of technical staff. 
4.    Support community consultations with counterpart agencies, contractors and local communities, as part of securing adequate local involvement in the planning and implementation of works on local resource-based work approaches including    the use of employment-intensive work in the rehabilitation and maintenance of transport infrastructure.
5.    Assist in collecting and organizing information related to contractors’ work programmes, methods statements, material sources, testing of gravel, aggregate and other building materials.  Contribute to necessary design recommendations for review by the technical staff. 
6.    Prepare work drawings and review setting out works. Support regular inspection and 
measurement of works, quality of materials and as-built drawings Prepare work reports for technical staff to certify and approve payment of completed works.
7.    Assist in monitoring working conditions at construction sites, including collecting information on occupational health and safety practices and reporting any issues to supervisors.

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8.    Support field inspections during extreme weather to secure that rehabilitated infrastructure shows the necessary climate resilience, assessing the performance of drainage and safe discharge of water, clearance above potential flood levels, assess erosion protection measures, risk of washouts, landslides or other debris compromising the function or safe use of the infrastructure. Report findings to the technical team.
9.    Undertake missions to project sites and/or accompanying other team members and officials.
10.    Assist in project implementation and follow-up activities, including collecting and organizing data related to rural road maintenance works and supporting quality control documentation under supervision. 
11.    Assist in the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions and meetings, and support the monitoring progress of project activities by reviewing, verifying and analysing work-plans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness.
12.    Perform other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Education

Completion of secondary school education. experience in the Civil / Highway Engineering Field will be an asset.

Experience

• At least 4 years’ experience with demonstrated experience in the field of employment intensive rural road rehabilitation/construction/ maintenance.
• Extensive experience in the development and implementation of employment-intensive (labour-based) public works and a solid understanding of the ILO decent work agenda,
• Experience in Rural Roads Maintenance, training of and working with local contractors,
• Good knowledge of community and project stakeholder consultations and mobilisation,
• Skills development and institutional strengthening.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of one English, and good knowledge of Nigerian Local Language.
 

Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to support the management and evaluation of rural roads maintenance.
• Demonstrated sound technical knowledge in supporting the Roads projects, training materials, alternative courses of action, and project operation.
• Ability to prepare technical reports and recommendations.
• Ability to work in teams, cultural and Gender awareness and networking skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to succinctly explain technical issues to various stakeholders including local level non-technical functionaries.

• Ability to prioritize work assignments, organize own schedule, perform routine work independently, meet deadlines and adapt to changing demands and multiple tasks.
•  Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office.
• Ability to obtain services from other work units inside or outside the office for completion of tasks.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and manage a heavy workload under time pressure.
• Ability to draft correspondence and correct documents in accordance with established standards.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Understanding of principles of non-discrimination and gender equality.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.