DRC Uganda is currently looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to join our dynamic team as an Engineering and Shelter Team Leader.
The overall purpose of the role:
The Engineering and Shelter Team Leader will be responsible for providing overall technical leadership and oversight for shelter and infrastructure activities across Bidibidi, Rhino Camp and Imvepi refugee settlements. He/she will oversee cash-for-shelter assistance, renovation and construction works, ensuring quality and compliance with required technical standards. The position holder will also supervise Engineering Assistants and work closely with programme teams, Supply Chain, contractors and relevant stakeholders to ensure timely and effective implementation of shelter activities.
Please note that this position is contingent upon confirmation of funding.
Your main duties and responsibilities will be:
Technical leadership and programme implementation
- Provide overall technical leadership and oversight for shelter, renovation and construction activities across Bidibidi, Rhino Camp and Imvepi.
- Lead planning and implementation of shelter activities and ensure that agreed targets, timelines and technical standards are achieved.
- Review and approve technical assessments, Bill of Quantities (BOQs), cost estimates, specifications and other technical documentation prepared by Engineering Assistants before implementation.
- Provide technical guidance on appropriate shelter repair solutions, materials, designs and construction approaches, ensuring value for money, safety and suitability to the operational context.
- Ensure shelter and infrastructure interventions comply with approved project designs, organizational procedures and applicable humanitarian and technical standards.
- Ensure timely technical verification and documentation of completed household shelter repairs and follow-up of identified quality or safety concerns.
- Work closely with Protection, Cash and MEAL teams to ensure effective referral, assessment, monitoring and accountability throughout the cash-for-shelter assistance cycle.
Renovation, construction and contractor management
- Lead technical assessments and development/review of BOQs, drawings, specifications and cost estimates for project-supported renovation and construction works.
- Work closely with Supply Chain during procurement processes, including providing technical input into solicitation documents, technical evaluation of bids and clarification of technical requirements.
- Coordinate and monitor contractors during implementation to ensure compliance with approved BOQs, specifications, work plans, timelines and contractual requirements.
- Review progress and completed works and provide technical verification/certification to support acceptance and payment processes in accordance with organizational procedures.
- Identify construction defects, delays, variations and other technical risks and ensure appropriate corrective measures are agreed upon and followed through.
Budget and resource management
- Monitor expenditure against planned shelter activities and provide timely input into budget forecasts, spending plans and Budget Versus Actual (BVA) reviews.
- Track planned procurements, works and cash-for-shelter requirements to identify potential underspending, overspending or implementation delays and recommend corrective actions.
- Ensure BOQs and cost estimates are realistic, technically justified and provide value for money.
- Work closely with Finance, Supply Chain and the Project Manager to ensure timely procurement and utilization of resources required for shelter activities.
Team management and capacity building
- Provide day-to-day supervision and technical guidance to Engineering Assistants, including allocation of tasks, review of deliverables and monitoring of performance.
- Conduct regular field monitoring and provide coaching, mentoring and technical support to team members.
- Identify capacity-building needs and facilitate technical orientation and on-the-job training for shelter staff and other relevant project personnel.
- Promote effective teamwork, accountability and communication within the shelter team and with other programme and support departments.
Coordination and stakeholder engagement
- Represent the project on shelter and infrastructure matters in relevant coordination meetings, technical working groups and engagements as delegated by the Project Manager.
- Maintain effective working relationships with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), district/local government authorities, settlement leadership, communities, implementing partners and other relevant stakeholders.
- Coordinate closely with community structures and assisted households to promote participation, accountability and ownership throughout implementation.
- Liaise with contractors, suppliers and relevant technical stakeholders to address implementation challenges and ensure timely delivery of works.
- Ensure effective internal coordination with Protection, Cash, MEAL, Finance and Supply Chain teams.
About you
To be successful in this role, you must have a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in civil/building engineering, shelter, construction or infrastructure programming, preferably within humanitarian or development contexts. Moreover, we also expect the following.
Required
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Building Engineering, Construction Management or another relevant engineering field.
- Experience in using design software like AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Revit, QGIS software etc.
- Demonstrated experience in supervising construction, renovation and/or shelter programmes, including preparation and review of BOQs, drawings, specifications and cost estimates.
- Strong understanding of construction quality assurance, site supervision, occupational safety, and relevant engineering standards
- Experience working with refugees and host communities.
- Ability to ride a motorcycle with valid class “A” permit
Desirable
- A relevant postgraduate degree in Civil Engineering, Building Engineering, Construction Management or another relevant engineering field.
- Knowledge of one or more languages commonly spoken in the operational areas.
- Experience with cash-based shelter programming or household-level shelter repair assistance
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:
Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
We offer
- Contract length: 10 months
- Band: MG 2
- Designation of Duty Station: Bidibidi
- Start date: November 2026
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national employees; please refer to our website.