Senior Infrastructure Engineer — Improving Access Activity

About Fika

Fika (formerly "Bridges to Prosperity") advances innovative, cost-effective rural infrastructural solutions through advocacy, evidence, and technical assistance to promote safe access for geographically isolated communities through partnership with governments and donors. Our evidence-based approach demonstrates that safe, reliable access unlocks opportunity and drives economic and social development in rural areas.

Opportunity Overview

Fika is seeking an experienced and technically strong Senior Infrastructure Engineer to lead the physical infrastructure component of an anticipated Improving Access Activity — a key component of a large-scale, donor-funded transport infrastructure program in Zambia that addresses physical and non-physical barriers to mobility and market access for rural communities along a major economic corridor.

As the physical infrastructure component lead, the Senior Infrastructure Engineer is accountable for turning a prioritized, community-validated pipeline of infrastructure-ready sites into designed, procured, constructed, and delivered Rural Networked Transport Infrastructure (RNTI) assets, while building the design-and-build capacity of government and private-sector partners. The role reports to the Improving Access Activity Team Leader. This position is contingent on program funding and client approvals.

Responsibilities

Design & Technical Leadership

• Lead preliminary and detailed engineering design across RNTI typologies (trail and cable bridges, stone arch, short-span and low-volume crossings, feeder roads and paths, drainage, culverts, and access approaches) to NCC and RDA standards.
• Support the technical prioritization and costing of the works pipeline, contributing engineering judgment to typology and sequencing decisions.
• Assess the technical feasibility of candidate sites and provide engineering recommendations, including processing survey data, evaluating aerial imagery, and proposing preliminary design alternatives.
• Calculate material quantities, prepare material specifications, and work with procurement on local materials selection.
• Apply Fika standard design methodologies, templates, and specifications consistently, and sign off on design modifications during construction within the established approval authority.

Capacity Building (Design & Build)

• Build the design and construction capacity of government engineers and Zambian contractors through Fika's accredited curriculum and Training-of-Trainers model.

Construction Delivery, Quality & Compliance

• Lead construction teams (including direct construction staff or sub-award recipient firms) to construct high-quality RNTI assets in identified community sites.
• Procure and oversee construction through Fika's private-sector delivery model, maintaining the multi-year construction plan and government co-financing arrangements.
• Ensure quality assurance, ZEMA-aligned site screening and HSE, and asset handover to district councils and RDA's asset management system.
• Support construction teams on temporary works, including tower lifting, cable hoisting, and scaffold design.
• Carry out technical inspections of under construction and completed structures, including design verification and as-built review.

Team Leadership & Coordination

• Supervise engineering and field staff, and coordinate with the Team Leader, Partnerships and Mobilization Lead, Operations Lead, and Fika's global engineering team.
• Represent the activity on technical matters in district, council, and other stakeholder meetings as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree in civil or structural engineering or a closely related field; Registered Professional Engineer with the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) and the Engineering Registration Board (ERB) is required.
• Minimum of 7–10 years in the design and construction of rural transport, roads, bridges, or access infrastructure, including donor-funded and/or public-sector delivery.
• Demonstrated design experience across bridge and crossing typologies and/or feeder roads, with construction supervision, QA/QC, and FIDIC-based contract administration.
• Experience building the capacity of government engineers and private-sector contractors.
• Familiarity with Zambian standards (NCC, RDA) and ZEMA environmental and social screening; experience with digital design tools or GIS is an asset.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD drafting and in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Full professional proficiency in English is required; Zambian languages are an asset.
• Commitment to Fika's mission, values, and ethical standards, including child safeguarding, integrity, and inclusion.

Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit an application indicating their expertise and relevant experience. The process includes review of CV and cover letter against the requirements, shortlisting and interviews, reference verification, and final selection per Fika's hiring policies. This position is subject to donor approval and program award.

Work Conditions

Location:  Lusaka, Zambia, with regular travel to program areas along the activity corridor; this is an in-person role (no remote or hybrid arrangements).

Position Type:  Full-time, project-based; subject to availability of donor funds.

Duration:  Fixed-term, commensurate with the program award period.

Language:  English (full professional proficiency required); Zambian local languages (asset).

Nationality / Right to Work:  Based in Zambia. Zambian nationals and candidates with the existing right to work in Zambia are strongly encouraged to apply.

Contingency Status:  Contingent upon program award and applicable donor approvals.

Application Guidelines

To apply, please submit your CV and a brief cover letter indicating your primary area(s) of engineering expertise and relevant infrastructure experience and general availability, addressing your experience leading rural transport and access infrastructure design and construction and building the design-and-build capacity of government and private-sector partners. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Fika is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive environment for all staff and consultants.

CV Guidelines

Length:  Maximum 4 pages.

Education:  Highlight relevant degrees and recognized certifications.

Exclude:  personal information (photos, gender, religion, marital status, dependents) and non-certified training.

Data Protection and Privacy Notice

By submitting your application, you consent to Fika collecting, storing, and processing your personal data to evaluate your qualifications for this and potential future opportunities, retained only as long as necessary and in compliance with applicable data protection laws, including the EU GDPR. You may access, rectify, or delete your personal information at any time by contacting info@fika.org. Fika will not share your data with third parties except as necessary for legitimate business purposes or as required by law.