National Officer WATSAN Engineer

Introduction

Since the beginning of the crisis in 2019, the reduction of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) resulted in the demotion of the country's economy from an upper middle-income status (which was upheld for over 20 years) to a lower middle-income status - as of July 2022. The depreciation of the Lebanese currency, along with the gradual elimination of price subsidies and the country's strong dependence on imports, has resulted in a significant rise in the costs of products and services. Although there have been some symbolic advancements during this time, the war in September 2024 has come to further exacerbate the “triple” socio-economic crisis. The Lebanese labour market and operating enterprises are facing complex challenges to sustain operations and retain employees as unemployment soars in the country.

As of October 2024, Lebanon experienced significant internal displacement crisis, with an estimated 1.2 million internally displaced individuals across the country. Despite the implementation of a ceasefire, its impact on mitigating displacement has been limited. While the crisis has affected all segments of the population, individuals facing lifecycle vulnerabilities, such as the youth unemployed, persons with disabilities, older adults bear a disproportionate burden.  The labor market in Lebanon has been heavily affected by the crisis, resulting in substantial job losses and wage cuts across key sectors such as services, industry, solid waste management and agro-processing. The 2024 war has severely hit particularly small infrastructure, common spaces and infrastructures for municipal sanitation. The capacity of municipalities to maintain capacities has decreased. MOSA has out in place a referral system to include SP and NDA beneficiaries.

To address these challenges, the European Commission supported “Improving living conditions and resilience of refugees displaced by the Syrian crisis and vulnerable hosting communities in Lebanon” project that started in January 2023 and will continue till 31st December 2025. The project aims at providing alternative livelihoods to selected Syrian refugees and host communities, particularly women and support recovery.

This will be done through employment-related services and construction on-site skills training for enhanced employability, as well as through short-term employment in local employment intensive infrastructure programmes (EIIP) in particular to ensure maintenance, debris removal and water channel and infrastructure rehabilitation in the conflict affected municipalities

Reporting Lines

The incumbent of the position will carry out full-time tasks under the direct supervision and guidance of the EU resilience project Chief Technical Advisor to whom s/he will report directly on progress and delivery of results. The incumbent will work also in close collaboration with EIIP Engineers, the other members of the EIIP team and the skills development team.

Description of Duties

1. Support the team in assessing EIIP capacity of staffs, contractors, & government counterparts and in providing guidance in the identification of projects, suitable for labour based, onsite-trainings and local resource/green based approaches. Assist in reviewing and validating the technical feasibility of proposed projects, prioritizing initiative based on agreed criteria, and reviewing work plans.

2. Undertake site visits to monitor work and training conditions on EIIP trainings on-sites, ensuring adherence to labour laws and, decent work principles. Assist in monitoring progress of project activities by reviewing and verifying progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency, and completeness.

3. Follow-up with relevant technical officers with counterparts in organizations and line ministries at national level, partner and executing agencies, government offices, constituents and in other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets.

4. Coordinate with various government counterparts to tailor ENABLE’s interventions to align with community and municipal needs, while ensuring sustained links and referrals for social protection beneficiaries through the Ministry of Social Affairs.

5. Develop technical documents including Terms of Reference and tender documents for the selection of external consultants/contractors/implementing partners and evaluate submitted technical offers and proposals related to the planned EIIP interventions within ENABLE.

6. Provide technical guidance to the contractors and consultants on Safety on the conceptual & detail technical design, drawings, BOQ, specifications, cost estimates, bids, contracts, and work plans and follow up on monitoring and documenting works to determine the extent and nature of any defects and that deficiencies are mitigated or rectified and ensure the implementation of the Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework, and the training social clauses.

Description of Duties (continued)

7. Reviewing contractors’ work programmes, method statements, material sources, QA/QC, etc. and any proposed modifications or variations, and technical support during procurement process and contract award to ensure that employment creation and skills development remain an objective. Carry out regular inspection and measurement of works, quality of materials and as-built drawings and certify and recommend payment of completed works.

8. Participate in the preparation and conduct of seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings, on-the-job training sessions and onsite trainings based on the skills development plan recognize and support companies’ mentors in the onsite training sites to ensure the acquisition of the predetermined competences and coordinate with Vocational Training Providers.

9. Inspect working and training conditions at construction sites, ensuring that occupational health and safety practices, and skills trainings are in compliance with prevailing standards and delivering OHS trainings and decent work and help to identify issues, blockages and misunderstandings occurring at the community level and provide suggestions for corrective action and to facilitate complaints mechanism and for undertake corrective actions.

10. Represent ILO and animate in relevant meetings, community sensitizations, evaluations, assessments, workshops etc. with a view to increasing required skills and knowledge and to ILO’s advocacy on decent work and skills development for resilience.

11. Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in Civil Engineering. An advanced degree on studies in a relevant field would be a strong advantage. Complementary studies in green constructions technologies are desirable.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of English and Arabic.

Experience

At least one year of professional experience at the national level in the area of civil works supervision and watsan activities. Proven experience in working effectively with government bodies in charge of policy making and with development partners would be an asset.

Technical requirements:

- Good knowledge of on-site training modalities and skills development, Knowledge on water systems, channels and watsans technologies.

- Good Knowledge of EIIP local resource-based methods, renewable energies and green/Eco construction approaches would be considered an advantage.

- Knowledge of Lebanese labour law and ILO Decent Work principles as it pertains to the construction sector and knowledge of EIIP Social Safeguards Framework would be considered an advantage.

- Previous WASH experience.

- Previous experience involving the UN or other international organisations would be considered an advantage.

Competencies

Candidates interested in the position should consider that the nine core competencies of the ILO, listed below, may be evaluated during the selection process: Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation and Collaboration. Among these nine competences, the following are of particular importance for this position: Customer Orientation, Communications, Collaboration.

• Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution, and good drafting skills.
• Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation.
• Demonstrate collaborative and team work experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team, as well as to work on his/her own initiative.
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline.
• Familiar with labour-based and local resource-based approaches to infrastructure improvement.
• Understanding on the onsite job modalities.

Competencies (continued)

• Ability to work well in a team, with good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing – and prepare reports and publications of high quality, technically sound and with conclusions leading to an action plan and programme development.
• Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility.
• Strong organizational abilities and ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy and to build strong working relationships.
• Driving License is required. Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
• Proficient in computer software (Auto-CAD, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office.

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.