Quality Control & Quality Assurance Consultant

 

Roots of Peace is a humanitarian organization whose mission is to rid the world of landmines and other remnants of war by transforming toxic minefields into thriving farmland and communities, through a focus on sustainable, organic farming practices. Roots of Peace is implementing UNDP-funded Afghanistan Community Resilience Program (ACRP).  

Roots of Peace is committed to a workplace and operating environment that is safe, respectful and free from any form of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH), as well as from discrimination of any kind. ROP maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy on these matters.

All applicants are advised that:

a) all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of their history of conduct in previous employment and a self-declaration on safeguarding;

b) any substantiated finding of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment in previous employment will disqualify the candidate from engagement with ROP;

c) by submitting an application, the candidate consents to these checks being carried out in the event they are selected.

Roots of Peace is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer.

1. Background

Roots of Peache under Afghanistan Community Resilience Program (ACRP) is implementing a range of infrastructure and agricultural development activities in Kandahar and Helmand Provinces, including the construction and installation of commercial macro greenhouses, market sheds, cold storage facilities, and drip irrigation systems. These interventions are intended to improve agricultural market infrastructure, post-harvest management, food storage capacity, and efficient use of irrigation water for targeted beneficiaries.

To ensure that the ongoing construction and installation activities are implemented in accordance with approved designs, technical specifications, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), quality standards, and contractual requirements, the project intends to engage a Short-Term Quality Control and Quality Assurance (QA/QC) Consultant for a period of three months.

The consultant will provide independent technical quality assurance and quality control support, conduct regular field inspections, field visits, identify construction and installation deficiencies, and provide recommendations to ensure that work is completed to the required technical and quality standards.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The overall purpose of this consultancy is to provide independent technical quality assurance and quality control oversight for construction and installation activities being implemented under the project in Kandahar and Helmand Provinces.

The consultant will assess whether contractors and service providers are implementing works in accordance with:

·         Approved designs and drawings;

·         Technical specifications;

·         Bills of Quantities (BoQs);

·         Approved work plans and methodologies;

·         Contractual requirements;

·         Applicable construction standards and good engineering practices;

·         Approved materials and equipment specifications and Relevant health, safety, and environmental requirements.

The consultant will also provide practical recommendations for correcting identified deficiencies and improving the overall quality and durability of project infrastructure.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will provide QA/QC services covering, but not limited to, the following activities:

A. Market Shed Construction

The consultant will inspect and assess the quality of construction works, including:

·         Site preparation and setting out

·         Excavation and foundations

·         Reinforcement of steel and structural works

·         Concrete works and concrete mix quality

·         Stone Masonry works

·         Roofing structures and roofing materials

·         Flooring and finishing work.

·         Drainage and site development

·         Compliance with approved drawings and BoQ quantities

·         Quality and suitability of construction materials and overall workmanship and structural integrity.

B. Cold Storage Facilities

The consultant will review and monitor the quality of cold storage construction and installation works, including:

·         Civil and structural works;

·         Foundation and concrete works;

·         Insulated panels and insulation materials;

·         Flooring and wall construction;

·         Doors and sealing systems;

·         Refrigeration equipment installation;

·         Electrical systems and connections;

·         Temperature-control systems;

·         Ventilation and drainage;

·         Equipment installation and commissioning;

·         Quality and specifications of materials and equipment;

·         Compliance with approved designs and technical specifications.

Attention will be given to the quality of insulation, refrigeration installation, electrical safety, temperature control, and overall functionality of the cold storage facilities.

C. Drip Irrigation Systems

The consultant will conduct technical inspections of drip irrigation systems, including:

·         Water reservoir or ponds construction and preparation

·         Mainlines and sub-mainlines

·         Distribution pipelines

·         Drip laterals

·         Emitters/drippers

·         Filtration systems

·         Fertilizer injection/fertigation systems

·         Valves and pressure-regulation systems

·         Pipe joints and connections

·         Leakage testing

·         System pressure testing

·         Uniformity of water distribution

·         Operation and functionality of the system

·         Quality and specifications of supplied materials

·         Installation workmanship and compliance with approved designs, BoQ, and technical specifications.

The consultant will identify leakage, blockage, poor connections, defective components, inadequate pressure, or other technical deficiencies and recommend appropriate corrective measures.

4. Key Responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible for:

1. Conducting regular technical inspections of ongoing construction and installation activities in the target districts of Kandahar and Helmand Provinces.

2. Reviewing approved drawings, BoQs, technical specifications, and relevant contractual documents.

3. Verifying the quality and suitability of construction materials and equipment.

4. Checking workmanship and construction practices against approved standards.

5. Monitoring contractors' compliance with approved construction methodologies.

6. Identifying defective, incomplete, or non-compliant works.

7. Providing technical recommendations and corrective actions.

8. Reviewing and verifying remedial works undertaken by contractors.

9. Conducting site measurements and technical verification were required.

10. Reviewing material testing and quality-testing records.

11. Witnessing relevant testing and commissioning activities.

12. Assessing the functionality and performance of completed works.

13. Providing technical advice to the project team on construction quality issues.

14. Maintaining systematic records of inspections and identified deficiencies.

15. Supporting the project team in reviewing contractors' work completion and quality.

16. Advising the project team on potential technical risks that may affect the durability, functionality, or sustainability of the infrastructure.

17. Ensuring that identified defects are properly documented and followed up until corrective actions are completed.

5. Field Inspection and Quality Control

During each field visit, the consultant will:

·         Inspect ongoing work;

·         Verify construction against approved drawings and BoQs.

·         Check material quality

·         Record deficiencies

·         Take photographic evidence where appropriate

·         Record location and date of inspection

·         Provide recommendations for corrective action

·         Follow up on previously identified deficiencies and prepare a field inspection report.

The consultant will maintain a Quality Control/Quality Assurance Inspection Checklist for each type of intervention.

6. Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to submit the following deliverables:

6.1 Inception/Work Plan

At the beginning of the assignment, the consultant will submit a brief work plan describing:

·         Proposed methodology

·         Inspection approach

·         Field visit schedule

·         QA/QC procedures

·         Reporting arrangements and key areas of technical focus.

6.2 Field Inspection Reports

Following field inspections, the consultant will prepare concise reports covering:

·         Activities inspected

·         Physical progress

·         Quality status

·         Materials inspected

·         Identified defects/non-compliance

·         Photographic evidence

·         Required corrective actions

·         Responsible contractor/vendor

·         Recommended timeline for correction and follow-up status.

6.3 Monthly QA/QC Report

At the end of each month, the consultant will submit a consolidated report summarizing:

·         Sites visited

·         Activities inspected

·         Major quality issues

·         Contractor performance

·         Material quality issues

·         Defective works

·         Corrective measures taken

·         Outstanding issues

·         Technical risks; and Recommendations to the project management team.

6.4 Final QA/QC Report

At the completion of the three-month assignment, the consultant will submit a final report containing:

·         Summary of all inspections;

·         Overall assessment of construction quality;

·         Status of identified defects;

·         Corrective actions undertaken;

·         Outstanding technical issues;

·         Assessment of completed facilities and systems;

·         Recommendations for future maintenance and quality assurance; and

·         Lessons learned.

7. Duration and Level of Effort

The consultancy will be for a period of three (3) months.

The consultant will be required to undertake regular field visits to project locations in Kandahar and Helmand Provinces, as required by the project.

The exact field schedule will be agreed upon with the project management team based on construction progress and project requirements.

8. Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will report directly to the senior irrigation engineer and will closely coordinate with:

·         Project provincial team

·         M&E team

·         Procurement team, where relevant

·         Contractors

·         Vendors/service providers and relevant project management staff.

The consultant will maintain professional independence when assessing the quality of contractors' and vendors' work.

Education

·         Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Construction Engineering, Structural Engineering, Irrigation Engineering, or a closely related field from a recognized university.

·         A master’s degree in civil engineering, Construction Management, Water Resources Engineering, or a related discipline will be considered an advantage.

Professional Experience

·         At least 8–10 years of demonstrated professional experience in Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) for construction, infrastructure, irrigation, particularly irrigation or drip irrigation or related engineering projects.

·         Demonstrated experience in construction quality inspection and supervision.

·         Experience in reviewing BoQs, technical specifications, drawings, construction methodologies, and contractor documentation.

·         Experience in identifying construction defects and recommending appropriate corrective measures.

·         Experience in monitoring construction materials, workmanship, testing, and commissioning.

·         Experience in irrigation infrastructure, drip irrigation and/or agricultural infrastructure will be highly desirable.

·         Experience with drip irrigation systems will be an advantage.

·         Experience with cold storage, warehouse, market infrastructure, or post-harvest facilities will be an advantage.

·         Previous experience working on donor-funded development projects will be an advantage.

·         Previous experience working in Kandahar and/or Helmand Provinces will be considered an advantage.

Technical Competencies

The consultant should have demonstrated knowledge of:

·         Construction QA/QC procedures

·         Civil works inspection

·         Concrete and reinforcement work

·         Structural and masonry works

·         Construction material testing

·         Irrigation systems

·         Pipeline installation and pressure testing

·         Drip irrigation systems

·         Reading engineering drawings

·         BoQ verification and quantity measurement

·         Technical specifications

·         Defect identification and reporting

·         Site inspection and documentation and contractor quality management.

Important Note: Applicants should copy and paste the relevant Vacancy Announcement Number, Position Title, and Province Name (mentioned below) into the email subject line when submitting their application. Please do not add any other information in the subject line of your email except the Position title, Vacancy Number, and province name. Applications received without a VA Number will not be considered. 

1. Quality Control & Quality Assurance Consultant (AFN-1385) 

Roots of Peace is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Roots of Peace does not want to disrupt government functionings and therefore cannot hire government staff.