Ministry of Local Government (MLGRD): Chief Infrastructure Engineer

With funding provided by the World bank, the Government of Ghana (GoG), through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) is implementing the Social Opportunities Project (SOP). The Overall goal of the project is to support’ Ghana’s Social Protection Strategy through: Developing a labour intensive public works program as a rural safety net instrument in target Districts across the country (majority of which are in the three northern regions) to increase cash income for the rural poor during Agricultural off season; and supporting the Government’s Livelihoods Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program. The Project has five main components namely:

1. Rationalization of National Social Protection Strategy
2. Labour Intensive Public Works (LIPWs)
3. Support to the Livelihood Employment Against Poverty (LEAP) Program
4. Capacity Building and
5. Project Management and Coordination

Specific Project Objectives
The Objectives of the Project to:

1. Support public works expected to create employment with priority for the poorest districts of the country
2. Support Incrementally, the Scaling up of the Government’s conditional cash transfer program (LEAP) which provides social grants to the poorest households in return for participation in education and health services; and participation in education and health services and
3. Develop the capacity of the government to implement safety net programs, both at the central and decentralized levels

Project Implementation Arrangements:
The Project is managed at policy and technical co-ordination level by a National Project Steering (Committee (NPSC). At the implementation level, co-ordination is the responsibility of the National Co-ordination Office (NCO), with its head offices in Accra and Regional Coordination offices in Tamale, Bolgatanga, Wa, Kumasi, and Accra responsible for defined geographical areas. Sub-project implementation, however, is the responsibility of District Assemblies and their lower Structures with timely and efficient back-stopping provided by the RCCs (RPCU) staff and relevant line ministries/agencies
As a member of the project team, the Chief Infrastructure Engineer will be involved in the implementation of the various components of the projects.

The candidate will report directly to the National Co-coordinator and perform such functions as providing technical support and developmental assistance to implementing agencies

Job Description:

As a member of the project team, the Chief Infrastructure Engineer will be involved in the implementation of the various components of the projects.

The candidate will report directly to the National Co-ordinator and perform such functions as providing technical support and developmental assistance to implementing agecies

1. Advising the National Co-ordinator and regional staff on all technical issues as and when they occur and to provide backup support to the regions on all rural engineering matters
2. Co-ordinating the technical/engineering functions and work programmes of the regions, in particular, the development of the annual workplans, budgets and procurement plans for sub-projects form District Medium Term Developments and other relevant project activities which will be financed under the project, and all implementation assistance related to such activities
3. Assisting in the procurement of works, goods and services at all levels of project implementation
4. Reviewing evaluation reports on consultants, their study reports/proposals when necessary and generally follows up on infrastructural development activities undertaken y service providers (consultants, contractors, NGOs, etc)
5. Providing backstopping support in evaluation of the capacitiesof construction/consulting firms and NGOs
6. Assisting relevant implementing Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the procurement of works, goods and services where and when necessary
7. Assisting in establishing procedures for achieving set targets, and also ensuring  compliance with proper codes of conduct and standards in technical transactions
8. Acting as NCO’s technical liaison with all stakeholder departments/organizations working within the regions such as Department of Feeder Roads (DFR), Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Environmental Protection (EPA), Forestry Services Division (FSD), relevant Tertiary and Research Institutions etc
9. Ensuring effective organisation and development of engineering related training programmes consistent with project objectives
10. Assisting in the assessment of training requirements for Implementing Agencies’ technical staff for effective implementation of their infrastructural development programmes
11. Performing any other duties that may be assigned to him/her by the National Co-ordinator from time-to-time

Required Skills/ Job Experience:

1. The Chief Infrastructure Engineer must possess a mimum of BSc (Civil/Agricultural Engineering) Degree or equivalent with a minimum of 15 years postgraduate experience of which 5 must have been in similar position
2. The Chief Infrastructure Engineer must be a registered and paid up member of a relevant professional body/institution

The applicant must:

1. Have considerable experience in planning, designing, execution and supervision of civil engineering works and contract management
2. Be competent in Procurement Management, especially in the application of Ghana’s Public Procurement Guidelines and World Bank Procurement Guidelines
3. Have appreciable knowledge of ghana’s Decentralization system and proven ability in working with the structures
4. Have extensive experience in working on rural development programmes, especially Community Driven Development (CDD) approaches, and be able to relate well with rural communities and local government institutions
5. Exhibit knowledge of Ghana’s Social Protection Strategy and the application of Labour Based Approaches in Public Works
6. Be experienced in the implementation of donor funded projects
7. Be computer literate
8. Be prepared to travel extensively on regular basis

Knowledge and experience in the construction and design of irrigation infrastructure and land and water management will be an advantageHow to Apply:

Interested individuals are requested to submit typewritten letters and curriculum vitae (CV) for the positions described above. Letters of Interest clearly marked: “SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES PROJECT –  NCO PERSONNEL” should be received by the close of work and addressed to:

THE CHIEF DIRECTOR
MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
P. O. BOX M50
ACCRA, GHANA

Attn: Director, PBME, MLGRD

NOTE: MLGRD reserves the right not to hire for the positon(s) if it determines that a candidate suitable for the position(s) was not identified. For such an event the position(s) so affected will be re-advertised