Project Officer Sr. – Engineer (six-month period)

Job SummaryAs a core member of the shelter project team, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all engineering project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s), advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. The role provides end-to-end oversight of humanitarian construction and rehabilitation works—including planning and design review, Bills of Quantities (BoQ) and procurement inputs, site supervision, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), and technical reporting—ensuring safe, compliant, inclusive, and cost-effective implementation. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the projects for which you are responsible apply best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve. This position is open to Syrian nationals and will be based in Aleppo, with regular field travel.Roles and Key ResponsibilitiesTechnical Planning, Assessments & Design* Lead and validate technical assessments and site surveys; prepare or review Bills of Quantities (BoQs), drawings, and technical specifications for school, shelter, and other community infrastructure works; propose value-engineering options to improve safety, durability, and operation/maintenance feasibility. * Integrate safety, accessibility, and inclusion requirements—e.g., gender-segregated latrines, ramps/handrails/door widths, perimeter security, and circulation lighting—into design scopes and review checklists. * For housing repairs, verify habitability and minimum safety parameters (structural cracks, roofs, windows/doors, basic WASH/electrical), sequence works for occupied buildings, and coordinate building access with residents, committees, and authorities.Procurement & Contracting Support* Draft and validate Scopes of Work (SoWs), technical specifications, and evaluation criteria; support market assessments and cost estimates; ensure transparent, competitive processes consistent with organizational procedures. * Participate in technical evaluation of bids; review contractor method statements, quality plans, and construction schedules; verify deliverables before payments are processed.Site Supervision, QA/QC & HSE* Conduct routine site inspections with photo logs; verify progress versus drawings and specifications; issue site instructions and non-conformance reports (NCRs) and follow up on corrective actions. * Enforce HSE requirements (PPE, toolbox talks, incident reporting) and Do No Harm principles; monitor works near active learning spaces or occupied homes to minimize disruption and hazards. * Oversee quality material testing, workmanship checks, acceptance criteria, and verification for payments.Coordination, Compliance & Reporting* Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all local project stakeholders—including partners, Education Directorate, school management committees, contractors, and community representatives—and serve as the liaison between them and the project team. * Ensure donor and organizational compliance (visibility, documentation, waivers, asset registers) and maintain audit-ready technical files (designs, permits/approvals, daily logs, checklists, test results, payment/acceptance documents). * Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and schedules; produce weekly site reports, monthly progress reports, and structured photo documentation; update workplans and risk registers; support handover processes and closeout files.Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) & Safeguarding* Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities, including baseline/closure photos, site checklists, key informant interviews (KIIs) with school staff and community, and post-rehabilitation reviews to inform learning and future programming. * Uphold safeguarding, PSEA, and child-safe programming standards at worksites; ensure contractors and workers adhere to agreed protocols. Support Feedback & Complaint Response Mechanisms (FCRM) visibility at sites and ensure timely follow-up on community feedback.Community Development Initiative* Facilitate a participatory process with residents and committees to scope and prioritize feasible community initiatives (e.g., communal space/walkway upgrades, lighting, small WASH improvements); embed inclusion and protection considerations; oversee delivery to handover with community sign-off. * Integrate basic operation and maintenance (O&M) guidance and risk mitigation with local stakeholders post-handover. * Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.Basic Qualifications* Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. * Minimum of 3–5 years of field experience in shelter, WASH, or education infrastructure within humanitarian or fragile contexts. * Proven site supervision and contractor management experience.Preferred Qualifications* Further education or certifications in civil/structural engineering, project management, or a related field would be a plus. * Familiarity with cluster/sector technical guidance and inclusive design standards for schools and shelters. * Experience working with partners, participatory action planning, and community engagement. * Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data, including use of tools such as Kobo, QGIS, or Power BI. * Proficiency with MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); ability to use AutoCAD, MS Project/Primavera, or equivalent project management tools strongly preferred.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities* Technical analysis and problem-solving skills in engineering and construction contexts, with the ability to make sound judgment under field conditions. * Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners, authorities, contractors, and community leaders. * Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented. * Attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities, including technical documentation and reporting. * Conflict-sensitivity and integrity under pressure; community engagement skills suited to humanitarian operating environments.Required LanguagesArabic (fluent); English (working proficiency).TravelMust be willing and able to travel up to 75% to field sites, including active worksites in Idlib, Rural Damascus, and Eastern Aleppo, subject to access and security protocols.Supervisory ResponsibilitiesNo direct supervisory responsibilities. The role coordinates closely with contractors, community committees, and implementing partners.Key Working RelationshipsInternal: Program Manager II, Shelter Technical Advisor, MEAL, Operations Manager, Head of Program, Field Officer, Head of Office, Finance and Operations Teams, MEAL Sr Office.External: Partners, Education Directorate, school management committees, local contractors, community leaders and committees, and relevant authorities.Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS staff)* Trusting Relationships * Professional Growth * Partnership * AccountabilityHOW TO APPLYAnyone interested in applying for this position should send a CV and a Cover Letter by email to [email protected] subject of the application should be "Project Officer Sr. – Engineer".Deadline for submissions is 28th March 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.