Ethiopia: Consultant - Earth Construction Specialist

Vacancy Number: IOM-CAF/121/2018

Position Title: Consultant - Earth Construction Specialist

Duty Station: Gembella, Ethiopia

Type of Appointment: Consultancy, Three months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Organizational Context and Scope:

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants. IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment. Under the overall supervision of the Emergency and Post-Crisis (EPC) Programme Coordinator, and direct supervision of the Emergency and Post-Crisis (EPC) Shelter/Non-Food Item Project Manager in close coordination with the IOM Gambella Head of Sub-Office, the successful candidate will support IOM Shelter team in piloting and constructing transitional shelter made of earth in Gambella region. In addition to this he will support in training delivery on the same topic and the capitalization of the intervention.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

OBJECTIVE:

With the overall goal of providing a transitional shelter to 50 refugees families in Gambella area, IOM aims to conduct a pilot project using mud bricks constructions through:

1. Surveying and testing all the different available kinds of earth in the surrounding area;

2. Providing 50 safe, comfortable and hygienic independent living units;

3. Through specific trainings, enable 210 local people (refugees and Host community) to build using adobe technique;

4. Provide training on earth architecture focusing on building back safer using locally available materials and ownership.

5. Testing a new model of sustainable and locally produced shelter.

ACTIVITIES:

1. Preliminary investigation: an expert in earth building construction techniques will test and evaluate different kinds of soil available in the area: near to river loops, in the deep ground, from termite nests and others. Local people, especially potters, will be involved.

2. Experimental production of 2000 blocks. Half will be produced with a mechanical press, half in wooden molds. At the end the cost-benefit ratio will be evaluated for both and the best will be chosen.

3. [only if needed] Experimentation on stabilized earth. These will be necessary if the quality of all the analyzed soils will be unsatisfactory by itself. In this case the following stabilization mixtures will be tested: cement, lime, glue and bitumen.

4. Proper decommissioning of excavation pits including filling with appropriate material.

5. Design of the shelters: on the base of the mechanical and physical characteristics of the produced blocks, the shelter will be designed and dimension-ed following the shelter strategy for refugees (UNHCR/ARRA).

6. Production site organization: facilitate and give instruction for workshop preparation - a water tank is installed, and the provision of water is planned; a flat area is prepared; storage places are arranged; shadows to cover the workers are provided.

7. TOT in blocks production: 10 local people (refugees and/or host community) will be trained in blocks production. The best performing 5 of them will be the supervisors.

8. Training in blocks production: 100 people (refugees and/or host community) will be trained in blocks production.

a. Blocks production and storage: the blocks for all the buildings are produced and stored under plastic sheets. The workers are paid by number of acceptable blocks produced, dried and stored.

1. TOT in wall construction: 20 local people will be trained in masonry work. The best performing 10 of them will be the building supervisors.

2. Training in wall construction: 100 people will be trained in masonry work.

a. Foundations building: 10 shelters will have a stone foundation, the other 40 will be in stabilized or normal blocks.

b. Walls building, including setting out, plumbness, spanning of openings (doors and windows), framework.

c. Roofing: grass roofs will cover a wooden structure in all the buildings. Already trained professionals will do it.

1. Ensure cross-cutting issues are integrated in the Shelter and WASH programming such as GBV, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), Environment and other cross cutting issues related mainstreaming during the course of the field activities.

2. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

REPORTING ANDDELIVERABLE

1. During the time of the consultancy the expert is accountable and reports to IOM in Addis Ababa. In particular the consultant is expected to deliver the below reports:

a. Overall activity report with the step of implementation of the constructions, preliminary analysis and tests of the type of soil, justification of the selected typology of blocks, design, training of carpenters and completion of works. In the same report the consultant should highlight lesson learned. Deliverable time frame after 2 weeks from the end of the consultancy

b. SoPs for the selected shelter implementation. Deliverable time frame after 2 weeks from the end of the consultancy

c. Training manual on Building back safer focusing on local building culture Deliverable time frame after 2 weeks from the end of the consultancy

d. Progress report (by email) every week

EXPECTED TIME FRAME FOR THE ASSIGNMENT: Three Months

Experience

• Required Qualifications and ExperienceUniversity degree in Architecture with ten years of relevant professional experienceExperience
• At least 10 years of experience in earth construction
• Experience in working in Ethiopia
• Knowledge of other best practices in sustainable building construction
• Experience in knowledge transfer related to the subject of the project
• Excellent communication skills Excellent command of English both orally and in writing.

Languages

• Thorough knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of other local languages will be advantageous.

Competencies:

• Accountability – takes responsibility for action and manages constructive criticisms
• Client Orientation – works effectively well with client and stakeholders
• Continuous Learning – promotes continuous learning for self and others
• Communication – listens and communicates clearly, adapting delivery to the audience
• Creativity and Initiative – actively seeks new ways of improving programmes or services
• Leadership and Negotiation – develops effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders;
• Performance Management – identify ways and implement actions to improve performance of self and others.
• Planning and Organizing - plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility;
• Professionalism - displays mastery of subject matter
• Teamwork – contributes to a collegial team environment; incorporates gender related needs, perspectives, concerns and promotes equal gender participation.
• Technological Awareness - displays awareness of relevant technological solutions;
• Resource Mobilization - works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs of IOM ( optional depending on position level)

Other

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment and verification of residency, visa and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application/ motivation letter enclosed with only detail CV written in English via our e-mail address RECADDIS@IOM.INT, by November 16, 2018 at the latest, referring the position title and Vacancy number in the subject line of your email; no photocopies of educational/training certificates is required at this stage; applicant who doesn't follow the required application procedure will automatically be disqualified from the competition.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We strongly encourage qualified women to apply!