Field Assistant Engineer

Background and Objective of the assignment:The JICA Project is designed to address basic human needs, complement short-term humanitarian support, and strengthen community resilience. It tackles worsening poverty, climatic vulnerabilities, and social fragility by construction of small-scale infrastructure essential for food security, livelihoods, and community services. In this context, engineering support is critical for:§ Designing, supervising, and ensuring quality of small-scale infrastructure (Irrigation canal, canal intake, Protection wall, Retaining wall, Road rehabilitation and culvert).§ Integrating climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable methods into construction.§ Creating immediate income opportunities through cash-for-work and labor-based infrastructure works.§ Ensuring inclusive access, particularly for women and marginalized groups, by applying safety and protection standards in infrastructure design.The assignment aims to provide technical expertise to deliver high-quality, sustainable, and gender-sensitive infrastructure solutions that support livelihoods, strengthen resilience, and align with ABADEI’s broader objectives of social cohesion and poverty reduction. It is sensitive to the chronic and newly emerging vulnerabilities of Afghan women and girls and aims at providing them assistance in a manner that does not exacerbate their susceptibility to violence and deprivation of opportunities and rights.Scope of work:The Field assistant Engineer will be responsible for providing technical expertise in the identification, design, supervision, and reporting of small-scale infrastructure projects under the ABADEI Strategy. The work will combine field-based technical assessments with community engagement to ensure projects are responsive to local needs, environmentally sustainable, and aligned with UNDP standards.Reporting: The Field Engineer will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Area Manager and in close collaboration with the Technical Associate - Infrastructure. S/he will support the effective identification, preparation, and implementation of Cash for Work (CfW) and infrastructure rehabilitation projects in the region. Key Duties and Responsibilities:1. Site Assessment and Technical DesignLead identification, assessment, and selection of sites for infrastructure projects, ensuring alignment with program objectives and technical viability.Collaborate with surveyors for physical, environmental, and social assessment of proposed sites.Develop designs, layouts, technical specifications, and BoQs per UNDP and national standards.2. Infrastructure Construction & SupervisionSupervise and oversee infrastructure construction, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, safety, and compliance with environmental and gender inclusion standards.Advise and implement climate-resilient and disaster-safe construction.3. Water & Irrigation SystemsDesign, monitor, and rehabilitate small-scale water and irrigation systems, promoting sustainability and climate resilience.Ensure environmental compliance and integrate best practice for sustainable water management.4. Community Engagement & Capacity BuildingMobilize community participation and facilitate capacity-building for local maintenance and sustainability.5. Gender Mainstreaming & ProtectionDesign interventions that are gender-responsive, ensuring women’s needs and participation.Prepare a Gender Action Plan; deliver capacity building on gender and safeguarding compliance.Coordinate with gender specialists to maintain gender and protection standards.6. Reporting and DocumentationProvide and validate technical reports, design documents, BoQs, technical drawings, review reports, and survey data.7. Meeting and CoordinationAttend review meetings and liaise with project partners and stakeholders.8. Perform other tasks as assigned by the Area Manager. Deliverables:Comprehensive site assessment and survey reports with technical, environmental, and social analysis.Hydrological and geotechnical assessment reports.All design documentation (drawings, specifications, calculations, BoQs).Quality assurance and design review reports.Gender Action Plan and evidence of gender/protection mainstreaming.Capacity-building session records. Reporting Line:Reports to the Regional Area Manager, in close collaboration with the Technical Associate – Infrastructure. Qualifications & Experience:Bachelor’s in civil/Structural Engineering or related field, from a recognized university.Minimum 1/ 3 years of practical experience with public infrastructure (with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering).Proficiency in technical design software (AutoCAD, SAP2000, STATPRO, etc.).Demonstrated experience in technical assessment, design, and supervision of infrastructure works.Familiarity with Afghanistan’s sub-national institutional context is required.Excellent command of English; fluency in Dari or Pashto is essential.1. Key Deliverables: Ke...