Description

Senior Engineer (Rural Infrastructure Engineer)  – SADEP

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.

In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions

into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Now, and for the future.

DEPARTMENT/ PROGRAM SUMMARY

Mercy Corps has been present in South Sudan since 2005 and acts on behalf of people who have become displaced and disenfranchised by the ongoing conflict. With funding from a multitude of donors including the UK Department for International Development (DFID - FCDO), Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), European Union, NORAD, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Private Foundations, Mercy Corps has been able to empower people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. In South Sudan our work focusing on the delivery of timely humanitarian interventions, improving food security and livelihood options through and market systems development, and governance for supporting civil society empowerment  With emphasis on conflict-affected youth, women, as well as IDPs and host communities, we champion and lead state-of-the art relief and recovery approaches through gender mainstreaming, market systems development, partnership, addressing root causes, adaptive management, and resilience approaches.

The Sustainable Agricultural Development Project (SADEP) is a seven-year initiative jointly designed by IFAD and the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of South Sudan. Its goal is to contribute to lasting peace and poverty reduction by enhancing resilience, food, and nutrition security for rural communities in four counties across Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria, and Jonglei States. SADEP will support approximately 18,700 households (about 122,200 people), primarily smallholder farmers and fishing communities engaged in sorghum, groundnuts, sesame, and fisheries value chains. SADEP is structured around three core components plus emergency response. Component 1 strengthens community-driven planning and promotes climate-adaptive, nutrition-sensitive agriculture and sustainable fisheries through climate-smart practices, improved seeds, extension services, and community-led fisheries management. Component 2 complements this by investing in inclusive, climate-resilient community infrastructure and improved post-harvest technologies, with a strong focus on women and youth. Component 3 focuses on institutional strengthening, policy support, and effective project coordination to ensure sustainability, alignment with national systems, and efficient implementation.

The Position

The Senior Rural Infrastructure Engineer (RIE) will be responsible for the full implementation of Subcomponent 2.1 activities under the SADEP project. The RIE will provide technical leadership on the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of rural infrastructure, including irrigation systems and fisheries-related civil works. The officer will work closely with local communities, government authorities, and project teams to ensure infrastructure interventions are technically sound, sustainable, and responsive to community needs.

Essential Responsibilities

Infrastructure Planning, Design, and Implementation

• Lead the design, construction, and maintenance of rural infrastructure under SADEP Subcomponent 2.1 (Appropriate and inclusive climate resilient community infrastructure developed.)
• Ensure all infrastructure works, including irrigation and fisheries-related civil works, meet technical standards, safety regulations, and sustainability criteria.
• Supervise contractors, field teams, and service providers to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of infrastructure interventions.

Community Engagement and Field Coordination

• Engage with local communities to understand infrastructure needs and ensure participatory planning and decision-making.
• Collaborate with community-based organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to promote ownership and sustainability of infrastructure projects.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor progress, troubleshoot challenges, and provide on-site technical guidance.

Technical Advisory and Compliance

• Provide expert technical advice to the project management team on all aspects of rural infrastructure development.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, organizational standards, and national regulations.
• Prepare technical reports, documentation, and recommendations for project management and donors.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing

• Support training and capacity-building initiatives for project staff, community representatives, and contractors on rural infrastructure best practices.
• Promote knowledge sharing and documentation of lessons learned from infrastructure interventions.

Safeguarding responsibilities

●        Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.

●        Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.

●        Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Supervisory Responsibility

Field Level Engineers

Accountability

Reports Directly To: SADEP Project Manager

Works Directly With: Director of Programs

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Infrastructure Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years’ professional experience in rural infrastructure management, with specific expertise in irrigation or fisheries-related civil works.
• Proven experience working in field-based rural development projects.
• Experience with internationally funded projects is an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and collaborate with local authorities and communities on infrastructure development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Success Factors

Success in this role requires the ability to manage complex rural infrastructure projects from design to implementation while ensuring technical quality, sustainability, and community ownership. The RIE must demonstrate strong field coordination skills, effective engagement with local authorities and communities, and the ability to oversee contractors and technical teams. Clear communication, problem-solving, and adherence to international standards and donor requirements are critical. The officer must be adaptable, results-oriented, and committed to delivering high-quality infrastructure that enhances productivity and livelihoods in South Sudan’s rural communities.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Juba, and it requires up to 40% field travel to support project delivery, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. 

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Team Engagement and Effectiveness 

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).