Long Term Consultant: International Specialist: Rural Infrastructure Engineer - ADB LAO Sustainable Agrifood Systems Sector Project

Position: International Specialist: Rural Infrastructure Engineer 

Background: Winrock International is recruiting an International Specialist: Rural Infrastructure Engineer for an Asian Development Bank (ADB) opportunity in Laos focused on Sustainable Agrifood systems. The project will contribute to food security and nutrition improved, and agricultural value addition increased in a climate resilient and gender-responsive manner in Lao PDR. 

This position will be a part-time consultancy that will require a commitment of 4 person months over a 5-year period.  

Location: Remote with travel to Laos required. 

Major Responsibilities:  

• Coordinating with government officials (provincial and district), agricultural production and agro-processing enterprises to familiarize with the environment, climate risk and resilience, and gender related considerations in which subprojects will be developed that were identified either during preparation or subsequently through project implementation stage. 

• Discuss with regional consultants on technical aspects of the project, advise on scheme selection including selection of water source location and structures. Evaluate potential risks and explore opportunity to integrate gender responsive features, nature-based solutions for enhanced sustainability and resilience. 

• Work with the hydrologist to determine crop water requirements, water availability and water balances for each sub-project considering current and future climate risks. 

• Together with other team members prepare a preliminary layout of irrigation, drainage, farm road facilities as well as advise on means of irrigation delivery to suit the selection of crops to be grown. 

• Review concept stage drawings and DED prepared by the national consultants, advise on proposed changes to their content and brief the design consultants on the required changes. 

• Coordinate with the other technical team members and members of provincial development consultants in the production of the technical aspects of the subproject rural roads and coffee and durian irrigation. This includes development plans, proposed site surveys, topographic and site investigation needs, detailed engineering designs taking into account of gender and resilience considerations, preparation of contract documents and engineering costs in preparation for economic analysis if required and for the engineers cost estimate. 

• Monitor the progress and work with the southern development consultants in the establishment of WUAs ensuring active participation of women to manage water management, participation in community contracts and training for maintenance of the systems. 

• Monitor the progress and work with the and the northern development consultants in the establishment of village road maintenance units. 

Monitor the progress of the project through subproject selection for feasibility studies and DED, the preparation of farm and road development plans, detailed engineering designs, construction supervision and subproject operations. Review the contents of the IPCs (Interim Payment Certificates) prepared by the national construction supervision firms — including progress, quantities, and unit rates comparing actual works with the design. Verify the information when necessary. The National Irrigation / Rural Road Engineer shall initiate the signature on the IPCs before submitting them to the Team Leader for endorsement and onward submission to the PMU Director for approval and  

• contractor payment. 

• Provide an O&M report covering civil works and incorporate the M&E and O&M guideline produced by the design specialists. 

• Provide the technical aspects of progress reports and technical guidelines and reports 

Qualifications  

Education: Master’s qualification or tertiary qualification from a recognized institution majoring in civil engineering, preferably at M.Sc. level in irrigation engineering, water resources engineering, roads engineering or a related field  

Experience:  

• At least 10 years experience in irrigation or rural roads project design.  

• Extensive experience collaborating with other specialist on agriculture, social, environment and marketing programs, as well as those involved in specialist engineering topics including hydrology, geotechnical, electrical engineering, nature based solutions, and mechanical engineering.  

• Familiar with the requirements of the international development agencies requirements in financial intermediary designed projects.  

• Experience working in LAO PDR (preferred)  

• Experience working with ADB preferred.  

• Experience working in ASEAN countries – particularly in Lao PDR, Vietnam, and Cambodia considered as an advantage 

Computer Skills: Proficiency in using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Advanced proficiency in Excel is preferred. 

Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, including effective public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in written form. 

Language: Fluent in English (written and spoken), Thai or Lao language skills (preferred) 

Physical Demands: This position requires travel to Laos  

This position is based on-going donor funding.  

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal treatment for all people. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by law. 

At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.