Construction Contract/Project Management Expert

Terms of Reference

School Construction Management Technical Lead

Project Overview

The Kaizen Company (Kaizen) is an international development consulting firm and an incubator for innovative, scalable solutions that address emerging market challenges and opportunities. Our proven solutions catalyze locally driven organizational and institutional performance improvements and establish communities of practice that facilitate peer-to-peer learning and the achievement of shared goals. We aspire to transform the nature and impact of development assistance and work to strengthen organizations and institutions through innovative approaches to organizational development, reform, and change.

The Kaizen Company is seeking applications for the School Construction Management Technical Lead position under an anticipated USAID-funded activity in Jordan. Kaizen aims to support USAID/Jordan to provide technical assistance, capacity building, collaboration, facilitation, and training to targeted stakeholders and counterparts to improve existing management systems and procedures used by the Government of Jordan (GoJ) in the education sector.

Purpose of the Assignment

The Jordanian Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPWH) manages the school design and construction process through contracts with specialized architectural engineering firms and contractors selected through MPWH tendering processes for school building design, construction, supervision, and construction management. After schools are built, the MPWH and Ministry of Education (MOE) form a committee to review and approve the final work before officially transferring the responsibility of the schools’ operation to the MOE. There is, typically, a two-year defects liability period during which the construction contractor is responsible for repairing any faults in the building.

To improve the existing contract and construction management processes of the public schools’ construction projects in Jordan, Kaizen is seeking to hire a Construction Management Technical Lead to lead the School Infrastructure (SI) projects towards adopting improved processes and procedures. The Technical Lead will identify relevant technical improvement opportunities and coach MPWH and MOE in achieving intended objectives.

Scope of Assignment

The Construction Management Technical Lead will be responsible for providing technical knowledge and teaching/mentoring skills leading to improved project management and contract management for GOJ school construction at the MPWH, MOE, as well as school construction managed by governorates. The Expert must have extensive practical knowledge of using FIDIC and other contract tools to ensure minimal project delays and the ability to transfer knowledge to government officials through the development and use of instructional manuals, training, coaching, and mentoring. The Expert must also be knowledgeable on the processes of utilization, development, deployment, and overall functionality of project management information systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead improvements in school construction FIDIC and GOJ contract management. Will lead efforts to identify process gaps and use data from the GOJ's Construction Management Information System (CMIS) to propose and implement process improvements collaboratively.
• Lead MOE/MPWH engineering staff assessment of core competencies on construction-related contract and project management tools and enforcement mechanisms at the central ministry, field directorate, and site supervision levels, with input from relevant USAID partners.
• Identify influencing factors (financial, cultural, educational, quality standards, etc.), weaknesses, and inefficiencies in processes, and develop concepts/mitigation measures by the relevant positions to overcome the identified weaknesses while considering low-budget alternative maintenance concepts and solutions;
• Lead improvements in construction project management, resulting in greater alignment on contract work schedules and actual completion. Understand FIDIC and GOJ contract timelines, available enforcement tools, and using CMIS project management tracking information to promote data-driven project management.
• Lead MPWH and MOE in utilization and analyzing CMIS data to improve contract and project management, providing support as needed.
• Lead improvements in site supervision, taking over, and defects liability, mainly related to construction site contracts and project management, as well as quality, health, and safety. Use data from the GOJ's CMIS and collaborate closely with other USAID implementing partners.
• Review and analyze reports and provide technical advice for meeting the scheduled milestones and progress according to the agreed work plans.
• Provide proactive advice for managing any deviation from plans, managing and monitoring contracts, and payments, and resolving any pending issues.
• Lead investigation of international best practices and techniques for information system and policy improvements.
• Lead system and process improvement efforts related to school infrastructure engineering, in partnership with MOE and MPWH, including drafting standard operating procedures, instructional manuals, and other process documents related to the position.
• Lead and deliver high-quality training, identify key learning goals, help develop structured teaching materials, and promote peer-to-peer learning with sustainable, formalized ministry-based capacity building.
• Engage and share knowledge with the relevant key stakeholders and donors to ensure coordinated delivery of activities.
• Contribute to identifying, disseminating, and sharing best practices and lessons learned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or Cost Engineering. Master’s degree preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of demonstrated progressive experience in supporting the implementation of medium to large construction project(s) in the public/development sector (quality buildings) preferred.
• Extensive working knowledge of FIDIC, GOJ contracting, and contract management policies and procedures.
• Technical and administrative knowledge of engineering/construction industry contracting practices, government and commercial procurement regulations and practices, policies, procedures, and work practices.
• Professional credentials in project management, FIDIC, and other related skill sets preferred.
• Proven leadership skills to manage non-construction system and policy improvement activities, including process and system improvement consultants.
• Experience leading change management activities, including incorporating data-driven decision-making into system processes and procedures.
• Experience in developing and managing relationships with donors and government/public sector partners and engaging with bilateral and multilateral partners preferred.
• Familiarity with donor-funded school construction projects implemented in the education sector in Jordan preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve work issues with senior country counterparts, donor representatives, construction firms, and senior-level staff.
• Comprehensive knowledge of local designs details context and material price to be aware of budget restrictions and to ensure appropriate detailing and materials.
• Cultural understanding of project management within Jordan is a must.
• Critical thinking abilities with strong analytical and systematic skills.
• Effective cross-cultural interpersonal skills.
• Prior experience working with USAID-funded projects preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Arabic and English.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft and Google Suite products.
• Ability to organize work with minimum supervision.

At Kaizen, A Tetra Tech Company, we find strength in our diversity. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive working environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to fulfill their potential. We know that we can only do development differently if we are open to and inclusive of new and unique perspectives. We encourage candidates of all abilities, ages, gender identities and expressions, national origins, races and ethnicities, religious beliefs, and sexual orientations to apply. Further, we urge parents and non-parents, married and unmarried, those from different or non-traditional educational backgrounds, and persons of all other diverse identities or experiences to apply. Kaizen is an equal-opportunity employer.

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