Background information about the job or company

Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) is a non-profit organization based in Nairobi, Kenya and New York, NY that combats urban poverty and gender inequity in the slums of Nairobi. Kennedy Odede, who grew up in the Kibera slum, founded SHOFCO in 2004 with a focus on youth and gender empowerment. SHOFCO has four initiative areas: education, health, economic an...

Job Purpose:

The Inspector of Works is responsible for inspecting, monitoring, and documenting civil construction works to ensure compliance with approved engineering designs, technical specifications, quality standards, safety regulations, and contractual obligations.

The role supports the Project Engineer in ensuring infrastructure projects are delivered to the required quality, within scope, and in accordance with engineering and regulatory standards.

Key Deliverables for this role will include:

• Daily site inspection reports
• Quality assurance and quality control reports
• Verified work measurement records
• Construction progress reports and photographic documentation
• Non-compliance and corrective action reports
• Contractor performance observations

Key Responsibilities and Job Dimensions

Site Inspection and Construction Supervision

• Conduct daily inspections of construction works to ensure activities are executed according to approved drawings, specifications, and Bills of Quantities (BoQs).
• Monitor contractor activities to ensure compliance with engineering standards, approved work methods, project schedules, and contract requirements.
• Verify setting out, levels, alignment, and dimensions of works during construction.
• Identify and report any deviations from approved designs or specifications.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

• Inspect construction materials delivered to site to confirm compliance with project specifications and applicable standards.
• Monitor work quality and construction methods during implementation.
• Witness and document testing of construction materials, including: concrete, aggregates, reinforcement steel, soil compaction, WASH infrastructure components, etc
• Identify non-compliant works and recommend corrective actions

Measurement, Certification, and Documentation

• Measure completed works and verify quantities for contractor payment certificates.
• Maintain accurate site records, including daily site diaries, inspection logs, and progress reports.
• Prepare site inspection reports and progress updates for the Project Engineer, including photographs and technical reports.
• Support preparation of site instructions, variation documentation, and work verification records.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance

• Monitor contractor compliance with OSHA standards, site safety plans and risk mitigation measures.
• Monitor implementation of environmental safeguards and mitigation measures.
• Identify unsafe practices and escalate them for immediate corrective action.

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with contractors, engineers, and project teams on site to ensure effective coordination of construction activities.
• Participate in site meetings and technical reviews, providing updates on construction progress and quality issues.
• Support the Project Engineer in resolving technical challenges during construction.
• Facilitate communication between relevant stakeholders on operational matters.

Compliance and Standards

• Ensure construction works comply with Kenyan engineering standards, building codes, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor contractor adherence to approved designs, specifications, and contractual obligations.
• Verify that works align with approved project scope and engineering documentation.

Job Competencies (Knowledge, Experience and Attributes / Skills).

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Degree or Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering, Construction Technology, or a related field.
• Registration with the Engineering board of Kenya or Technicians Registration Board (TRB) or eligibility for registration is an added advantage.
• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in civil works inspection or construction supervision.
• Experience working on infrastructure projects such as:
  • Water supply systems
  • Sanitation infrastructure
  • Buildings and social infrastructure
  • Roads and drainage systems
• Experience working on community-based infrastructure projects is an added advantage.

Functional Skills:

• Strong knowledge of construction methods, materials, and site supervision practices
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specs, and BoQs
• Knowledge of construction quality control and inspection procedures
• Understanding of construction health and safety standards
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and reporting tools).

Behavioral Competencies/Attributes:

• Strong technical reporting and documentation skills
• Good communication and coordination skills, ability to have hard conversations with grace
• High level of attention to detail and integrity in reporting
• Ability to work in field-based environments, including informal settlements and remote project sites

• Conduct daily inspections of construction works to ensure activities are executed according to approved drawings, specifications, and Bills of Quantities (BoQs).
• Monitor contractor activities to ensure compliance with engineering standards, approved work methods, project schedules, and contract requirements.
• Verify setting out, levels, alignment, and dimensions of works during construction.
• Identify and report any deviations from approved designs or specifications.
• Inspect construction materials delivered to site to confirm compliance with project specifications and applicable standards.
• Monitor work quality and construction methods during implementation.
• Witness and document testing of construction materials, including: concrete, aggregates, reinforcement steel, soil compaction, WASH infrastructure components, etc
• Identify non-compliant works and recommend corrective actions
• Measure completed works and verify quantities for contractor payment certificates.
• Maintain accurate site records, including daily site diaries, inspection logs, and progress reports.
• Prepare site inspection reports and progress updates for the Project Engineer, including photographs and technical reports.
• Support preparation of site instructions, variation documentation, and work verification records.
• Monitor contractor compliance with OSHA standards, site safety plans and risk mitigation measures.
• Monitor implementation of environmental safeguards and mitigation measures.
• Identify unsafe practices and escalate them for immediate corrective action.
• Liaise with contractors, engineers, and project teams on site to ensure effective coordination of construction activities.
• Participate in site meetings and technical reviews, providing updates on construction progress and quality issues.
• Support the Project Engineer in resolving technical challenges during construction.
• Facilitate communication between relevant stakeholders on operational matters.
• Ensure construction works comply with Kenyan engineering standards, building codes, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor contractor adherence to approved designs, specifications, and contractual obligations.
• Verify that works align with approved project scope and engineering documentation.

• Strong knowledge of construction methods, materials, and site supervision practices
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specs, and BoQs
• Knowledge of construction quality control and inspection procedures
• Understanding of construction health and safety standards
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and reporting tools).
• Strong technical reporting and documentation skills
• Good communication and coordination skills, ability to have hard conversations with grace
• High level of attention to detail and integrity in reporting
• Ability to work in field-based environments, including informal settlements and remote project sites

• Degree or Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering, Construction Technology, or a related field.
• Registration with the Engineering board of Kenya or Technicians Registration Board (TRB) or eligibility for registration is an added advantage.
• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in civil works inspection or construction supervision.
• Experience working on infrastructure projects such as: Water supply systems, Sanitation infrastructure, Buildings and social infrastructure, Roads and drainage systems
• Experience working on community-based infrastructure projects is an added advantage.