National Specialist: Rural Infrastructure Engineer

Background

Winrock International is recruiting a National 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 agricultural value addition, in a climate-resilient and gender-responsive manner in Lao PDR. The project will work in the target value chains of bamboo, cassava, coffee, durian, and tea. This position will be a part-time consultancy that will require a commitment of 37 person-months over a 5-year period.

Location: Laos

Major Responsibilities

• Support the International Specialist: Rural Infrastructure Engineer with 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.
• 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 opportunities 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, and advise on means of irrigation delivery to suit the selection of crops to be grown.
• Review concept stage drawings and DED prepared by national consultants, advise on proposed changes, and brief design consultants on required modifications.
• Coordinate with other technical team members and provincial development consultants in producing technical aspects of 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 gender and resilience considerations, preparation of contract documents, and engineering costs.
• Monitor progress and work with southern development consultants in establishing Water User Associations (WUAs), ensuring active participation of women in water management, community contracts, and system maintenance training.
• Monitor progress and work with northern development consultants in establishing village road maintenance units.
• Monitor the project's progress 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 Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) prepared by national construction supervision firms – including progress, quantities, and unit rates comparing actual works with the design. Verify information when necessary.
• The National Specialist: Rural Infrastructure 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: University degree in civil engineering, irrigation, transportation, or a related field.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of professional experience in rural infrastructure development.
• Experience working on ADB and/or World Bank–financed projects, as well as in climate-resilient infrastructure and infrastructure supporting agricultural value chain connectivity, will be considered an advantage.
• Familiar with the requirements of international development agencies 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 may require regional travel.

Key skills/competency

• Rural Infrastructure Development
• Project Coordination
• Irrigation System Design
• Road Construction Management
• Climate Resilience
• Gender-Responsive Approaches
• ADB Project Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Technical Reporting
• Construction Supervision