Engineering Assistant - Shelter and Infrastructure

About the role

The Danish Refugee Council is looking for an Engineering Assistant to provide technical support and quality assurance for shelter and infrastructure activities in Bidibidi, Rhino Camp and Imvepi refugee settlements. The role covers technical assessments, Bills of Quantities (BOQs) and cost estimates, and monitoring of renovation and construction works with contractors, Supply Chain and programme teams. It is contingent on confirmation of funding.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct technical assessments of households referred for cash-for-shelter assistance to determine shelter conditions, repair needs and appropriate solutions.
• Prepare household-specific BOQs and cost estimates that inform the value of cash assistance.
• Give technical guidance to households on the use of shelter assistance and required repair standards, and monitor progress, quality and adherence to standards.
• Verify completed works and document their quality and status, following up on outstanding technical issues.
• Support technical assessments, BOQs, specifications and documentation for renovation and construction works.
• Monitor and supervise contractors so that works follow approved designs, BOQs, specifications, timelines and quality standards.
• Review completed works and support technical verification and certification of contractor deliverables before payment.
• Identify defects or quality concerns and recommend corrective actions.
• Maintain technical documentation such as assessment records, BOQs, site reports and completion records.
• Coordinate with Protection, Cash, Supply Chain and other teams, and engage with settlement authorities, community structures and households.
• Ensure activities respect safety, accessibility, protection, gender, age and disability inclusion, and comply with humanitarian shelter standards.
• Support data collection and reporting, and contribute to project reports.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree or higher diploma in Civil and Building Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of practical field experience implementing engineering infrastructure projects for bachelor degree holders, or 5 years for higher diploma holders.
• Demonstrated experience in site monitoring or supervision, including tracking progress, checking workmanship and materials and documenting deficiencies.
• Experience assisting with site assessments, measurements, quantity calculations, BOQs, cost estimates or work plans.
• Experience coordinating with contractors, suppliers, community representatives, local authorities and project teams.
• Experience working with refugees and host communities.
• Ability to ride a motorcycle with a valid class A permit.

Required skills

• Use of design software such as AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Revit and QGIS.
• Experience mobilizing communities for participatory activities and managing the workforce and community members.
• Basic understanding of engineering infrastructure practices and participatory community development in humanitarian contexts.