Position Title : Construction Technician, Sr
Location: Sierra Leone
ChildFund office: Freetown
Manager/Supervisor title: Manager Sr., Project
Position type: Full-time fixed term
Work environment: On-site
Duration : Six (6) months
About ChildFund
ChildFund is a child-focused international development organization that connects children with the people, resources and institutions they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe, no matter where they are. We work directly in 23 countries, with extended reach to more than 60 countries through our global partnership network.
ChildFund’s Values
We aspire for every person in our organization—program participants, supporters, staff, and volunteers alike—to feel free, safe, and confident to be themselves. In our culture of connection, you will have ample opportunity to grow, learn, and lead while contributing your talents and innovations to our inspiring mission.
ChildFund’s Commitment
ChildFund International has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) and all other forms of harm by its staff, partners, and other representatives in the delivery of its mission and services for children. ChildFund is committed to creating a safe environment in the workplace as well as in the communities where it delivers programs and services. ChildFund expects every staff member, partner, and representative to adhere to this commitment and to ensure all organizational policies and standards are followed. This position is subject to a range of vetting checks, including a criminal records check and/or disclosure to ensure program participants are safeguarded.
About This Role
The Construction Technician Senior will support the planning, supervision, and quality assurance of rehabilitation works for selected Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres across 5 districts (Portloko, Kambia, Bombali, Karene and Koinadugu). The Construction Technician Senior will conduct accurate site assessments and preparing site plans to support the design and budgeting for minor infrastructure rehabilitation across 43 day-care centers in Sierra Leone. All work must comply with the technical standards. safety requirements and regulations of the Government of Sierra Leone and ChildFund. Reporting to the Project Manager with indirect reporting line to the International ECD and Construction consultant, Program and Partnership Manager and Sponsorship and Program Director
Required Experience and Education
- Diploma/degree in construction related field.
- A recognized license in Construction Engineering in Sierra Leone.
- At least seven (7) years of professional experience in construction project
- Proven expertise in preparing site plans, drawings, specifications, and technical details using AutoCAD
- Experience in contract documentation, tendering processes, water and sanitation systems, and construction supervision.
- Strong knowledge of site assessments, bill of quantities (BOQs), contract management, and execution of infrastructure projects with social and environmental considerations.
- Ability to read drawings, bills of quantities, plans, and blueprints and convey this information to others.
- Proven organisational, analytical, leadership, negotiation, and communication (oral and written) skills.
- Ability to prioritise, focus and deliver quality results within deadlines while meeting conflicting work demands and targets, working with or without teams with minimum supervision.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact professionally with donor, project stakeholders, County collaborators and staff at all levels of the organisation.
- Ability to work independently, focus and deliver quality results within deadlines and with minimum supervision.
Primary Responsibilities
Site Assessment & Planning
- Conducting site assessments and developing site plans
- Identify rehabilitation needs (roofing, flooring, sanitation, ventilation, safety).
- Preparing construction drawings, Bids of Quantity (BOQs) for approvals and tendering.
- Participate in daily project supervision – oversight of the hired contractor and ensuring the bills of quantities are adhered to.
- Produce work schedules in accordance with infrastructure works, contractors and labor laws.
Supervision of Works
- Supervise construction activities including monitoring of daily progress and ensure timely completion of activities.
- Monitor the assigned construction project to meet the project objectives within budget and allotted time frame.
Quality Assurance & Compliance
- Ensuring quality control, including the use of appropriate materials and adherence to specifications.
- Ensure works are executed according to approved designs, standards, and schedules.
- Ensure compliance with national building codes and project guidelines.
- Promote child-friendly, safe, and inclusive infrastructure standards.
- Develop and oversee quality standards in the site.
- Supporting the application/implementation and adherence to existing policies, strategies and set standards by donor and Government.
- Ensures adherence and compliance to the organisational policies and procedures.
Contractor & Supplier Coordination
- Develop the terms of reference that guide technical input into procurement processes (specifications, evaluations).
- Monitor contractor performance, report and escalate issues for speedy address of technical issues across the construction sites.
- Provide technical analysis to support the Procurement Committee in the selection of the contractor(s) for the construction work.
Monitoring, Documentation & Reporting
- Maintain site records (site diaries, progress reports, material tracking).
- Capture photographic evidence (before, during, after rehabilitation).
- Prepare regular progress and completion reports.
- Support documentation for results verification and payment milestones.
- Report project status to Project Manager and other relevant people regularly.
- Assisting in documenting lessons learnt/good practices and other relevant reports for future programming of similar projects.
- Facilitate timely and quality documentation and reporting of project progress and site report production monthly, quarterly, and annually.
- Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the supervisor
Coordination with Programme Teams
- Coordinate daily tasks according to priorities and plans, adjusting as necessary due to weather, supply delivery, and personnel
- Work closely with program officers to ensure infrastructure supports learning activities.
- Align construction timelines with program implementation schedules.
- Submit work plans for coordinating your movement among the district for supervising the rehabilitation works.
Maintenance & Handover
- Support development of maintenance plans for rehabilitated centres.
- Train community stakeholders on basic maintenance practices.
- Facilitate proper handover of completed works to communities and authorities.
Risk & Safety Management
- Identify and mitigate construction-related risks (delays, poor quality, safety hazards).
- Always ensure adherence to health and safety standards.
- Promote safeguarding practices in environments where children are present.
- Monitor, report/troubleshoot on issues/factors that can affect the smooth implementation of the project and share in a timely manner with the Project Manager and stakeholders.
Required Competencies
ChildFund’s Core Competencies
- Teamwork: the ability to work effectively and collaborate with others; values and respects individual differences.
- Communication: demonstrates empathy and tact when communicating with others and uses a storytelling approach when appropriate.
- Results orientation: gets things done; takes proactive steps to achieve organizational goals and quality standards.
- Decision making: uses good judgement, critical thinking, and non-traditional ways to evaluate problems and opportunities; reflects and innovates to improve decisions and outcomes.
- Resilience: thrives and grows in rapidly changing, demanding, and complex environments.
- Digital literacy: adopts and champions new technology to relevant contexts, stays aware of technological trends and embraces technological solutions to business challenges.
Other Required Competencies
- Experience in surveying and assessing infrastructure needs.
- Ability to recommend appropriate materials, structural solutions, and sustainable practices.
- Familiarity with obtaining legal permits and ensuring compliance with local regulations.
- Knowledge of design of early childhood development learning spaces
- Must hold a valid driving license.
- Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and respect in all interactions.
- Maintains discretion and confidentiality.
- Willingness to travel nationally and work outside standard hours when required.
- Proactive in developing innovative and practical solutions.
