Head of construction and infrastructure

Responsible for Construction and Infrastructure (Construction Officer)

Company: Counterpart International

Location: Parakou, Department of Borgou (with frequent travel throughout the north of the country)

Contract type: Fixed-term contract (Full time)

Supervisor: Construction & WASH Manager (Construction & WASH Manager)

Project: McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Project

At Counterpart International, we believe that the people closest to challenges are best placed to meet them, but they shouldn’t have to do it alone. For more than 60 years, we’ve worked with communities around the world to turn local ideas into sustainable solutions. We connect local visions with global opportunities, working hand in hand with leaders, organizations and networks to build inclusive and resilient communities where everyone can thrive. Our programs prioritize long-term impact: they support women in the management and development of their businesses, strengthen food systems so that families have access to nutritious food and sustainable livelihoods, and create opportunities for economic and social progress. Trusted manager of development funds, Counterpart is recognized for its transparency, accountability and measurable results. We bring together the right partners, resources and ideas to help communities build a better life and a more sustainable future, generation after generation.

Job summary:

Counterpart International is looking for a Construction and Infrastructure Officer (Construction Officer) rigorous and field-oriented for its McGovern-Dole project in Benin. Under the direct supervision of the Construction & WASH Manager, the holder ensures daily technical monitoring, quality control and operational coordination of all construction work and rehabilitation of school infrastructure in the intervention areas of the project.

The project includes an ambitious infrastructure component: construction and rehabilitation of 90 water systems, 90 blocks of separate latrines girls/boys, 90 kitchens and food reserves, as well as the installation of 273 handwashing stations in all target schools. This work, spread over years 2 to 4 of the project, is essential to ensure hygienic conditions for preparing and preserving school meals.

This position is essentially a field position. The Construction Manager spends most of his or her time on construction sites, interacting directly with contractors, local artisans, school management committees (APE, CGCSI) and municipal authorities. He/she is the eyes and arms of the Construction & WASH Manager in the field and plays a central role in ensuring quality, timeliness and compliance with USDA and Government of Benin standards.

Tasks and responsibilities:

1. Daily technical monitoring of construction sites

• Ensure the regular and systematic presence on construction sites and rehabilitation of school infrastructures (latrines, kitchens, reserves, water systems, hand washing stations) in intervention municipalities.

• Monitor work schedules, report any delays and document all downtime, delays and stoppages during the work.

• Ensure the provision on the sites of a proper execution file approved by the Construction and Wash Manager before any start of work.

• To monitor the compliance of the work with approved technical plans, specifications, contractual specifications and construction standards of the Government of Benin and USDA.

• Check the quality of construction materials delivered to construction sites daily and immediately report any non-compliant material to the Construction & WASH Manager.

• Ensure compliance with safety standards on construction sites (personal protective equipment, signage, securing work areas near students and school staff).

• Document the progress of work through regular site visits, daily monitoring sheets, geolocated photographs and weekly reports submitted to the Construction & WASH Manager.

• Identify, report and propose corrective solutions for any technical deviations, delivery delays or quality problems observed on construction sites.

2. Quality control and acceptance of work

• Conduct quality control visits at each key stage of the work (foundations, structural works, roofing, finishes, hydraulic installations) and write inspection reports.

• Organize site meetings with the company in the presence of community representatives and other associated officials.

• Ensure the transmission of knowledge for the control of work organized by the infrastructure monitoring committees.

• Ensure the implementation of operational tests of hydraulic installations (water systems, hand washing stations) and sanitary equipment before the provisional reception of work.

• Organize work completion reports and then prepare and participate in the provisional and final receptions of the work alongside the Construction & WASH Manager, ensuring that all technical reservations are lifted before the signing of the minutes of receipt.

• Verify and certify the metrics and attachments presented by the service providers before their transmission to the Construction & WASH Manager and the Purchasing Manager for payment processing.

• Ensure that the USDA logo and required markings are properly affixed to all infrastructure constructed or rehabilitated, in accordance with project marking guidelines.

3. Operational coordination with service providers

• Ensure daily liaison with contractors and local artisans on construction sites to ensure the respect of the work schedule, the availability of materials and the adequate mobilization of the workforce.

• Organize and facilitate weekly site meetings with contractors, EPA representatives and school authorities, and write reports to the Construction & WASH Manager.

• Support the Construction & WASH Manager in the preparation of technical files necessary for the award of works contracts (plans, specifications, technical specifications, evaluation criteria).

• Contribute to the technical evaluation of tenders submitted by service providers during calls for tenders.

• Identify and mobilize qualified local artisans, members of takeover bids and young entrepreneurs in the intervention communes to maximize the local impact of the work.

4. Community engagement and local capacity building

• Facilitate

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