Project Specialist/Assistant Project Manager

Job Summary:

DEPARTMENT:    Construction Management Services   

This is an entry level managerial position that requires hands-on technical skills, well developed inter-personal and management abilities, sound judgment, and ability to develop and maintain credibility within USAID and the relevant Contractors/Sub-Contractors.

The position requires the following to assist the Project Manager:

• Ability to assist Contractors/Sub-Contractors to complete the project within the approved scope, schedule and cost perimeters
• Ability to understand and interpret the project requirements and manage the project and Stakeholders expectations accordingly
• Ability to work within teams of different disciplines to ensure on-time and quality product and deliverables
• Appropriate level of skills in resource management that can be applied to the management of field-based inspectors as well as support resources within the department
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing clearly, concisely and effectively with all levels of stake holders from USAID, Contractor/subcontractor and Tetra Tech
• Ability to prepare written reports and presentations for various purposes
• Must have a working knowledge of the Microsoft Office software suite, as well as other software specific to the discipline managed

I.        BASIC FUNCTION

The above-named employee serves as Project Specialist/Assistant Project Manager for Tetra Tech (Tt) Engineering Support Program (ESP) implemented by USAID. The Project Specialist/Assistant Project Manager assists the Project manager to lead a site-based team of site Inspectors from different required disciplines as well as HSE Inspectors. Additionally, the Project Specialist/Assistant Project Manager assists the Project Manager in working to ensure successful implementation of the project within the approved scope, cost and time perimeters. In the events of issues raised due to intrinsic nature of the construction projects, the manager analyzes the situation and recommends appropriate solutions to USAID for informed decision-making purposes. 

Specific Job Functions to assist the Project Manager:

• Provide direct oversight of the field-based Site Inspectors and HSE Inspectors
• Arrange training for field Inspectors through various departments to ensure effective and smooth project implementation
• Analyze identified issues and recommend technical solutions
• Prepare daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly reports to USAID
• Ensure accurate documentation of the project documents provided by the Project Administrator.
• Arrange and hold regular weekly/biweekly and monthly meetings with USAID and its implementing partners and review meeting notes
• Coordinate design submittals of the project and ensure scheduled flow and approval of the design submittals
• Track cost/budget, invoices through Project Controls on a regular basis
• Review Contractors schedules through Project Controls and facilitate Contractor’s meetings with Project Controls staff.
• Conduct employee performance reviews and recommend disciplinary actions as needed to the HR Department
• Manage change orders with USAID, Contractors and Tetra Tech Contract Department
• Track and control project budgets and employees time charges
• Control job order budgets, report expenditures and develop budget requests as needed
• Liaise with client and other stakeholders in support of program objectives.

Travel Requirements:

• Travel is required to attend meetings held within Kabul, specifically to the U.S. Embassy and project site with security approval.

Skills Required:

Skills Description:

• Ability to assist Contractors/Sub-Contractors to complete the project within the approved scope, schedule and cost perimeters
• Ability to understand and interpret the project requirements and manage the project and Stakeholders expectations accordingly
• Ability to work within teams of different disciplines to ensure on-time and quality product and deliverables
• Appropriate level of skills in resource management that can be applied to the management of field-based inspectors as well as support resources within the department
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing clearly, concisely and effectively with all levels of stake holders from USAID, Contractor/subcontractor and Tetra Tech
• Ability to prepare written reports and presentations for various purposes
• Must have a working knowledge of the Microsoft Office software suite, as well as other software specific to the discipline managed

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist the Project Manager in:

A.   Project Management (80%)

Oversight of the overall project including information gathering, periodic review of the project documents and their updates, site reports, conducting analysis of issues and offer recommendation as well as tracking progress and implementation status. The Project Specialist/Assistant Project Manager will assist the field teams in activity planning and the identification of problem as well as required follow up actions on the issue rectification. The Project Specialist/Assistant Project Manager may seek recommendations and expert judgement on technical matters from different disciplines as required. Specific responsibilities which may be assigned by the supervisor to the Project Specialist/Assistant Project Manager include:

· Supervising Tetra Tech Inspectors and provide technical support to ensure project objectives are achieved.

· Providing daily coordination and communications with contractors and USAID to drive projects towards completion.

· Providing daily oversite and tracking of critical activities that may have an impact on project success.

· Arranging and participating in meetings with implementing partners and stakeholders.

· Performing analysis of project related problems (both financial and technical) and recommending appropriate remedial measures.

· Reviewing and evaluating project progress and cost parameters and preparing projections in coordination with project control team.

· Assigning specific duties to the site QA/CMS/HSE inspectors.

B.   Quality Assurance (20%)

· Ensuring site Inspectors know their job and providing them with required guidance to assure quality.

· Reviewing timesheets and work hours of the field team for clear descriptions and relevant time charge.

· Reviewing site reports and filing the site reports in the filing system (via the Project Administrator).

· Coordinating design and construction submittals with USAID, contractor and reviewers.

· Reviewing all project related reports and deliverables for their accuracy and quality prior to being submitted to client.

 III.     POSITION ELEMENTS

1.  Supervision Received:

The Project Specialist/Assistant Project Manager reports to the Project Manager.

2.  Available Guidelines:

The above person will use the Tetra Tech Employee Manual and instruction from respective project mentors for assigned tasks execution.

3. Exercise of Judgment: The Assistant to PM must be able to exercise sound managerial judgment in matters concerning the fulfillment of project goals. Assistant to PM must be familiar with Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Project Scheduling, Health and Safety, Construction Management and Engineering 

4. Authority to Make Commitments: The Project Specialist/Assistant Project Manager can provide technical guidance and direction to Staff and Contractors as authorized by the Project Manager and within the terms and conditions of assigned contracts and agreements 

5. Supervision Exercised: As provided by the Project Manager

Person this position reports to: Project Manager/ Construction Management Services

Person(s) who report to this position: None

Job Location:

Qualifications:

• Engineering degree is required, preferably in Civil or closely related discipline.
• Experience 5 years related project and construction management and or engineering preferable in civil construction industry.
• Demonstrable ability to conduct verbal and written communication with project stakeholders
• Experienced and demonstrable successful in project management including planning, management of changes, including cost, schedule and design drawings, specification, RFIs and other related project documentation will be an advantage.
• Knowledge of project life-cycles including planning, cost control, change management, scheduling, engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, as-built drawings and other project documents.,
• Willingness to travel to remote locations throughout Afghanistan.
• Fluency in English, Dari and Pashto (written, read, spoken.)
• Proficiency in MS Office software.
• Ability and eagerness to work with diverse cultures.