The Sustainable Goals Organization for Afghanistan (SGOA) is a non-profit NGO established in 2020 and registered with the Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Public Health. It operates in various sectors, including WASH, health, education, food security, and livelihood support, providing emergency response and relief to returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in remote and underserved areas. Partnering with organizations such as UNDP, UN Women, and NRC, SGOA aims to enhance livelihoods, promote socio-economic inclusion, and deliver humanitarian assistance. Committed to upholding human rights and aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SGOA focuses on economic empowerment, improving quality of life, and integrating individuals with disabilities, while valuing honesty, integrity, teamwork, and respect for diversity.

Summary of Key Functions

The Construction Engineer will play a central role in the planning, implementation, and supervision of construction and renovation projects for educational infrastructure, including transitional classrooms, permanent school structures, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities. This position demands strong technical expertise in civil engineering, the ability to prepare and interpret construction designs and BOQs, and the capacity to ensure quality and compliance with national standards, donor requirements, and organizational policies.

The Construction Engineer will be directly responsible for ensuring that all facilities—particularly WASH facilities—are constructed to be safe, accessible, gender-sensitive, and environmentally sustainable. The role involves close collaboration with technical teams, contractors, School Management Committees (SMCs), community stakeholders, and government authorities to ensure that construction activities are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Planning and Development

• Develop detailed Bills of Quantities (BOQs), construction drawings, and technical specifications for all educational infrastructure and WASH projects.
• Conduct site assessments and feasibility studies to determine suitability, environmental considerations, and community needs before project initiation.
• Participate in school infrastructure planning sessions with program teams, community representatives, and local authorities to finalize design specifications.
• Contribute to the preparation of tender documents and bid evaluations in collaboration with procurement and finance teams.
• Work closely with the education team and community representatives to develop School Improvement Plans (SIPs) for both hub and public schools, ensuring integration of safe WASH facilities.

2. Construction Oversight and Coordination

• Supervise daily construction activities, ensuring contractors adhere strictly to approved designs, BOQs, work schedules, and safety guidelines.
• Oversee the construction and/or renovation of gender-segregated latrines with integrated handwashing stations that meet hygiene standards.
• Act as the technical liaison between contractors, engineers, local government, donors, and organizational departments.
• Coordinate with logistics teams to ensure timely delivery of construction materials and equipment to project sites.

3. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Quality Control

• Conduct regular on-site inspections to verify progress, quality of workmanship, and compliance with technical specifications and WASH standards.
• Monitor and evaluate structural integrity of ongoing projects, ensuring they meet both immediate and long-term durability requirements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date construction logs, inspection reports, and photographic documentation for accountability and donor reporting.
• Identify potential risks, delays, or compliance issues early and recommend corrective actions promptly.

4. Communication and Reporting

• Establish and maintain open communication channels with all stakeholders, including SMCs, local communities, contractors, government engineers, and donors.
• Prepare and submit weekly, monthly, and ad-hoc progress reports outlining completed tasks, ongoing works, budget status, and challenges.
• Present technical updates in coordination and donor review meetings to ensure transparency and alignment with project goals.

5. Team Support and Capacity Building

• Provide technical guidance to SMCs and community members on construction quality, maintenance, and sustainable use of facilities.
• Conduct on-the-job training sessions for junior engineers, field supervisors, and skilled/unskilled laborers.
• Lead awareness sessions for community stakeholders on WASH facility standards, hygiene promotion, and environmental safety.

6. Resource and Logistics Management

• Support material procurement planning to ensure cost-effectiveness, timely delivery, and minimal wastage.
• Verify and approve material quality upon delivery to the site before usage.
• Track construction expenditures against project budgets, flagging potential cost overruns or savings opportunities.
• Work with procurement and logistics teams to ensure proper storage, security, and distribution of materials.

7. Compliance and Safety

• Ensure all construction works comply with national building codes, environmental regulations, organizational policies, and donor requirements.
• Promote strict adherence to occupational health and safety standards, including the use of PPE, safe equipment operation, and hazard identification.
• Conduct safety briefings for all site workers and visitors.
• Address and document accidents or incidents, ensuring corrective actions are taken to prevent recurrence.

Core Competencies

• Accountability: Takes ownership for responsibilities and ensures transparent, efficient use of resources.
• Teamwork: Builds strong working relationships with stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
• Planning & Organizing: Effectively prioritizes tasks, manages multiple projects, and ensures timely delivery.
• Problem-Solving: Identifies technical and operational challenges early and applies practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Communication: Clearly and professionally communicates technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrates deep understanding of construction methodologies, civil engineering standards, and WASH practices.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Professional certification in project management or WASH engineering is an asset.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 3–5 years of proven experience in school and WASH construction projects, preferably within the education or humanitarian sector.
• Demonstrated experience in BOQ preparation, site supervision, and contractor management.

Skills:

• Strong project management and leadership capabilities.
• Excellent knowledge of construction materials, structural design principles, and WASH standards.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, MS Project, and MS Office Suite.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Fluency in English and local languages (both written and verbal).

Working Conditions

• Frequent travel to remote and rural project sites, sometimes in challenging environments.
• Ability to work extended hours when required to meet deadlines.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and unforeseen project needs.

Those who fulfill the above-mentioned criteria should send their updated CVs with cover letters to the below submission email: Kindly mention the position title and Vacancy number in the subject line otherwise your application may not be considered. Please do not send heavy size documents (i.e., Tazkira, Education documents, work certificates) Only shortlisted candidates will be called for the next stage of recruitment. No CV will be considered after the closing date. Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply and will be given first preference for this position.