Field Engineer- Vanuatu

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Field Engineer – Vanuatu will provide technical guidance and input to implement the Vanuatu component of a program focused on disaster risk reduction in the Pacific region. The role is key to achieving our aims in the region. Responsible for supporting all aspects of technology management and technological capacity building, working with all technical and program staff in a location. This is a very special opportunity for someone who wants to manage a unique approach combining the latest innovations with traditional methods to improve the delivery of aid and development assistance.

The position reports to the Pacific Technical Lead based in Fiji and is expected to help make project decisions. The Field Engineer will work with a team of regional technical staff to support and deliver training and workshop activities to build local capabilities and deploy to field sites to perform repair and improvement works on small scale infrastructure as directed. The Engineer works closely with local stakeholders to create new solutions to well-understood local problems. In addition, the Engineer will be required to seek out and contribute to the development of further projects to ensure the growth of the programme.

The position holder will be based in Port Vila, Vanuatu and will undertake travel within Vanuatu and the Pacific region as required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

An effective Field Engineer will combine relevant technical know-how with excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to ‘get things done’ under challenging conditions. The Engineer’s responsibilities for this task include but are not limited to:

Work with a broad array of manufacturing processes, from digital fabrication to traditional large-scale processes to local craft techniques and provide technical support and professional advice to the team in these areas.

Demonstrate a strong understanding of locally available materials, suppliers, and fabrication capabilities, and apply creative, “outside-the-box” thinking to solve technical challenges in resource-constrained environments.

Help strengthen Field Ready’s technology projects by providing support throughout planning and implementation.

Assist in addressing technical training needs, conduct training as appropriate for Field Ready staff and apprentices, and for key stakeholders.

Help develop and manage technical work-plans and ensure implementation.

Ensure regular communication with technical and administration teams, especially with regards to risk management, procurement and project monitoring.

Ensure the highest possible quality and rigour, with high standards of engineering professionalism.

Apply sound engineering judgement to adapt best-practice principles and standards to real-world field constraints, balancing safety, quality, time, and budget to ensure successful project delivery.

Provide technical input into tender documents preparations, proposals, bid evaluations, contractor procurement, supply chain, designs and installation of equipment.

Represent Field Ready to outside partners when required.

Assist in managing local contractors and apprentices.

Effectively communicate engineering principles, design decisions, and technical trade-offs to non-technical audiences, including partners, community members, and stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required competencies:

Degree in Mechanical Engineering: Skilled in the use of a wide range of manufacturing equipment and processes and a first-rate ‘maker’, with strong hands-on experience in making, equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, CAD-based design (including experience with professional engineering software such as SolidWorks), concept generation, product development, and prototyping. Demonstrates a strong understanding of engineering best practices, while applying critical technical judgement and creative problem-solving to adapt designs and standards to local materials, suppliers, and resource-constrained field contexts in order to deliver safe, practical solutions within time and budget constraints.

Project management: the ability to effectively manage technical projects throughout their life cycle, backed up by project management experience.

Partnerships: the ability to maintain and grow relationships with external partners including manufacturing partners and donors.

Working with others: the ability to work effectively with others and promote a congenial work environment.

Self-management: the ability to undertake technical work independently in a potentially challenging environment.

Needs assessments: the ability to conduct needs assessments to identify need and engage with users/beneficiaries which may lead to innovative engineering opportunities.

Humanitarian commitment: knowledge of or experience in a humanitarian or development setting and an understanding of the principles that govern humanitarian action.

Organisation Description

ABOUT FIELD READY

Field Ready is an international non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering people living in complex environments to make the things they need, where they need them, when they need them. We do this by bringing innovation to international disaster relief and increasing the capacity of local supply chains in aid and development.

Our vision is to meet humanitarian needs by transforming logistics through technology, innovative design, partnerships with local manufacturers and leading relief organizations, and engaging people in new ways. We make useful items to solve problems locally using the latest technology, as well as traditional local manufacturing. We build capacity to extend this impact and enable others to foster their own resilience. In the long term, we are building an organization that can respond to need wherever it may be most felt. The impact of this will be dramatically improving the efficiency of aid delivery by meeting people’s needs where they experience them whether at an underserved health clinic, remote distribution point, or evacuation centre. Field Ready is a US-based 501c3; more information can be found at www.fieldready.org.

Selection Criteria

Required skills and experience:

English Language: excellent written and interpersonal communication in English, including the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences

Local work: practical experience of working in the manufacturing, engineering or technical sector in the Pacific region, with familiarity with local materials, suppliers, and production contexts

How To Apply

The role is open to Vanuatu Citizens and permanent residents only. We encourage applications from women, minorities, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups. Applications will be accepted until 26th June (5pm, Vanuatu time). Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV in English to the following email address: hr.pacific@fieldready.org Please state “Application – Field Engineer (Vanuatu)” in the subject line of the email.