Principal Engineer

Location: Portland, OR
Valid unrestricted work authorization in the country in which you will be based (United States) is required at the time of application for this position.

Position Status: Full-time, Regular, Exempt Salary:  The salary range for this role will be $91,000 - $101,667 USD commensurate on experience**

About Mercy Corps
**
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

**The Program / Department / Team
**
The infrastructure team, based at our headquarters in Portland, Oregon, helps to develop opportunities, prepare scopes of work, provide technical advice and conduct detailed evaluations, studies and designs of infrastructure systems in support of our in-country operations. We provide Principal Engineering oversight, implementation strategy, construction delivery means, and construction management support. Our team is part of the Program Performance and Quality group (PaQ) which has the agency-wide responsibility of supporting and monitoring program implementations that meet critical quality standards, function as intended, and achieve results for our stakeholders.

**The Position
**
In line with the vision, mission and core values of Mercy Corps, the Principal Engineer will ensure adherence to implementation minimum standards, effective and efficient execution of the different phases of planning, design, and construction of a variety of infrastructure projects including water and wastewater projects throughout Mercy Corps infrastructure programs.  The Principal Engineer will provide technical support to the field teams in all aspects and phases of infrastructure projects from concept to handover of a project.  
Essential Responsibilities 
PROPOSALS

• Conduct field assessments to assist with the infrastructure needs and proposed solution of programs
• Work effectively with interdisciplinary teams to incorporate infrastructure  projects into proposals
• Prepare scope of work for consultants, contribute to writing and reviewing proposals with infrastructure components
  Work independently with country teams to plan, design, and implement infrastructure projects
• Conduct research for water, wastewater, and other infrastructure projects, and craft supporting memos and white papers
• Estimate project costs, develop schedules, draft position descriptions for Engineering/technical staff, and participate in the recruitment process

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

• Provide timely and effective technical/implementation support to field infrastructure teams
• Review and comment on concept and preliminary designs for infrastructure projects
• Review and comment on Engineering plans and Bill of Quantities (BoQ) developed by field teams
• Review and comment on procurement/tender documents
• Provide technical training either in-person or remotely to field teams
• Assist field teams in resolving Engineering or construction issues
• Ensure that field teams are complying with Mercy Corps’ minimum infrastructure standards
• Advise and coach field teams on how to comply with Mercy Corps’ minimum infrastructure standards
• Represent Mercy Corps with donors and external stakeholders professionally and effectively
• Participate collaboratively and provide input with relevant Mercy Corps work groups to develop operational strategy or policies to meet overall Mercy Corps mission and long term strategy
• Lead process improvement projects or initiative for Infrastructure team and PaQ unit

ASSESSMENTS

• Conduct field assessments of ongoing projects and in support of proposals with infrastructure components, including emergency response
• Write technical reports
• Ability to be deployed during emergencies to conduct rapid assessments and recommend appropriate (fit-for-purpose) interventions

**Supervisory Responsibility
**
Functional Field Supervising of infrastructure teams.

Accountability 
Reports Directly To: Senior Director of Infrastructure

Works Directly With:  Director of Programs, WASH and infrastructure teams, members of Mercy Corps’ Technical Support teams, Donors, consultants, Global Procurement team, Compliance team, and  program participants

**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

• BS in Engineering (civil or related), MS is preferred
• 18+ years of experience with progressive responsibility in Engineering and construction management
• Extensive construction experience and familiarity with condition assessment and quality construction methods and practices
• S. Engineering registration (such as a P.E. License), or the ability to obtain within one year of appointment
• Experience with hydraulics and potable water supply systems is highly preferred
• Proven competency with developing and interpreting construction contract documents
• Strong interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication, and cross-cultural competency
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite, including MS Project

Success Factors You are insatiably curious. You approach challenges with determination, focus, and well-honed analytical and Engineering skills. You're also nimble enough to switch gears quickly and often. You embrace the Mercy Corps mission and share our sense of urgency about the global issues central to our work. You have the ability to work on multiple high priority projects simultaneously. Have a high degree of customer-service ethics to provide timely and effective support to the field teams.  
The successful Principal Engineer combines exceptional Engineering and construction skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships. They will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps. They will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations

**Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
**
The position is based in Portland, Oregon (or other possible U.S. locations, pending approval) and involves domestic and international travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.  This position requires up to 25% domestic and international travel.

**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.

**Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
**
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. 
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today

**Equal Employment Opportunity
**
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. 
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work

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 a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.

Our screening process is designed to be transparent and completed in partnership with new Team Members. You will have the opportunity to disclose any prior convictions at the conclusion of the recruitment process before the check is initiated. We ask that you do not disclose any prior convictions in your application materials or during the recruitment process.

**Covid-19 Vaccine Policy for US-Based Employees
**
Mercy Corps has determined that, in an effort to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all Mercy Corps employees working in the United States, all U.S.-based employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of prior COVID-19 infection status. This policy is necessary to ensure not only the safety of our workforce, but the ongoing functionality of the organization.

This policy will be revised as needed to comply with federal, state, and local requirements, and to respond to changing guidance from public health authorities.

For new employees, this requirement goes into effect within 10 business days of employment. Team members that travel are expected to comply with host-country requirements, including vaccinations. Failure to comply may impact your employment. Proof of vaccination or exemption must be provided.