Construction Engineer

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Role: Construction Engineer
Organisation: Rakel Investment & General Services, Sierra Leone
Location: Freetown, with frequent travel and stays at provincial project sites
Role type: Full-time
Reports to: Project Manager / Technical Director
Application deadline: November 2nd, 2026

 

Application Instructions: Submit your updated CV and Cover Letter to info@afriqia-solutions.com with ‘’Construction Engineer” in Subject Line.

 

Company overview

Rakel Investment & General Services is a Sierra Leone-based company established in 2013, delivering construction, water and sanitation, procurement, medical equipment and renewable energy services. Its construction portfolio includes buildings, civil works and public infrastructure. Rakel is seeking an experienced Construction Engineer to contribute to practical, safe and quality infrastructure delivery across Sierra Leone.

 

Role purpose

The Construction Engineer will provide technical leadership and day-to-day engineering supervision of building and civil works. Reporting to the Project Manager / Technical Director, the engineer will lead technical site activities, inspect materials and workmanship, monitor progress, verify quantities and maintain accurate records. The role will ensure compliance with approved drawings, specifications, Bills of Quantities, schedules, contractual requirements, applicable engineering standards and environmental, social, health and safety requirements, escalating issues that could affect delivery.

 

Key responsibilities

Technical review and construction planning

  • Review engineering drawings, specifications, Bills of Quantities and construction methods; identify discrepancies, omissions and constructability issues and raise technical queries for resolution.
  • Support work programmes, method statements, mobilisation and labour, equipment and material planning. Ensure proposed design changes and departures from specifications follow the agreed approval process.

 

Site supervision and progress monitoring

  • Supervise assigned building and civil infrastructure works, including excavation and earthworks, foundations, reinforced concrete, structural framing, masonry, roofing, steelworks, drainage, access roads, culverts, retaining structures, water supply and sanitation facilities, pump houses, warehouses and water storage structures, as relevant to the project.
  • Coordinate contractors, subcontractors, supervisors, technicians and artisans; monitor workmanship, productivity, resource availability and progress against milestones.
  • Identify delays and site constraints, recommend recovery measures and promptly report matters requiring management decisions.

 

Quality assurance and testing

  • Establish, implement and monitor project QA/QC procedures; inspect materials, verify specifications, certificates and test results, and supervise or witness relevant site and laboratory tests.
  • Maintain inspection records, testing registers and non-conformance reports. Follow up defective work and verify corrections before subsequent activities proceed.

 

Measurement and contract administration support

  • Measure completed works against approved drawings and Bills of Quantities; verify quantities and supporting records for payment applications or assessments within the assigned contractual role.
  • Provide technical input into requests for information, variations, claims and extensions of time; maintain records of instructions, progress and site conditions.
  • Refer design changes, contractual instructions, payment certification and expenditure approvals to authorised personnel; flag potential cost impacts to the Project Manager.

 

Safety safeguards and coordination

  • Monitor compliance with approved environmental and social management plans, occupational health and safety requirements, PPE requirements, site codes of conduct and community protection measures, including waste management, dust and noise control.
  • Report incidents and unsafe practices promptly, coordinate with safety and environmental personnel, and act within the agreed escalation and stop-work procedures.
  • Participate in site and progress meetings; coordinate technical matters with management, clients, supervising consultants, local authorities and specialist engineers.

 

Reporting commissioning and handover

  • Prepare clear daily, weekly and monthly records and reports covering progress, resources, quality, safety, delays, risks and corrective actions.
  • Participate in final inspections, testing, commissioning and handover; prepare snag lists, supervise and verify corrective works, and review as-built drawings and completion records. Verify that completed works meet contractual and technical requirements before final acceptance, within delegated authority.

 

Required qualifications and experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Construction, Structural or Building Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline, from a recognised institution.
  • At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in construction engineering, civil works, supervision, project implementation, QA/QC, contract administration or related areas, including substantial experience supervising building or civil infrastructure projects of comparable scale and complexity.
  • Practical knowledge of drawings, specifications, Bills of Quantities, construction methods, QA/QC, measurement, work programming and contract administration support.
  • Demonstrated ability to supervise site teams and contractors, resolve technical problems and prepare accurate English-language reports and site documentation.
  • Proficiency in AutoCAD, Microsoft Word and Excel, and construction scheduling software such as Microsoft Project or Primavera.
  • Sound judgement, professional integrity and willingness to travel frequently and work for extended periods at provincial sites.

 

Desirable experience and qualifications

  • Experience on internationally funded infrastructure or development projects, preferably at least two similar projects financed, implemented or supervised by recognised international development partners.
  • Direct experience on World Bank-financed construction, civil engineering or infrastructure projects is a strong advantage.
  • Familiarity with donor technical, environmental, social, quality assurance and reporting requirements; knowledge of the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework or comparable donor safeguard systems is an advantage.
  • Relevant postgraduate qualification and registration or active membership with a recognised engineering professional body. Experience in healthcare, WASH or agricultural infrastructure is useful where relevant.
  • Knowledge of Civil 3D, Revit, BIM applications or other engineering software relevant to the assigned works.