AutoCAD
Hi, I’m
Victor Opolo.
Civil Engineer, Project Manager.
Nairobi
Summary
Professional civil engineer with 15 years of project planning, design, and construction expertise. I have experience working in both the private sector and international humanitarian organizations, and I have proven leadership skills. I have worked in Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions in active conflict and post-conflict countries, focusing on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of key services such as hospitals, clinics, and water treatment and distribution systems.
I have practical knowledge and expertise in construction supervision, contract management, and project management as per PRINCE 2 and FIDIC conditions of contract.
Overview
13
years of professional experience
6
years of post-secondary education
3
Certifications
Work History
International Committee of the Red Cross.Geneva
Construction Project Manager
05.2018 - Current
Job overview
- As Construction Project Manager, I was in charge of all matters related to the construction project of the new Physical Rehabilitation Center in Sa’ada, Yemen, undertaken within the framework of the Protocol for the Management of ICRC Construction Projects (PMCP). Working as part of the delegation-level project team, I was responsible for all aspects of the project-development cycle and ensured that this multi-year project was developed in line with the objectives defined in the ICRC’s organizational policies, annual reporting, and/or the PMCP. Specifically, I was in charge of completing the construction phase up to handover.
- I supervised the construction work, with over 200 workers, and its compliance with the contract documents, monitored and reported on site progress, administered work contracts through budget and payment follow-up, registers of workforce, test, variation request, etc.
- I conducted weekly site meetings with the contractor, reporting through minutes of meetings to participants and the project board.
- I managed handover to end-users and compiled as-built drawings and operation and maintenance documents. These were both hard and soft copies.
- I managed construction schedules to achieve adequate project labor coverage.
- Verified the completed work packages within the projects, ensuring that these met approved time, quality, and cost estimates.
- Kept sites compliant with OSHA, state, and local regulations to prevent unnecessary risks.
- Reviewed and updated project drawings. Where variations were necessary, I designed and gave estimates for the work to the contractor. These were well adjusted, which overall saved project delivery time.
- Kept detailed track of the project budget and implementation plan, analyzing productivity, and also identifying corrective measures whenever required. These were shared with the project board regularly in meetings and through emails.
- Reviewed the project scope, required materials, and labor pricing to develop competitive bids for the varied works.
- Read and interpret blueprints in AutoCAD before planning or delegating days’ work to contractor representatives and the engineering teams.
International Committee of the Red CrossTigray Region.
Water and Habitat Engineer
11.2020 - 04.2022
Job overview
- Worked to establish the water and habitat (WatHab) department in Tigray, North Ethiopia, following the conflict that erupted at the end of 2020. I was the lead engineer appointed to establish the extent of the damage to the civilian infrastructure as part of the assessment for the ICRC's response to the conflict.
- I developed the plan for the emergency response phase, which included rehabilitation of health facilities, water treatment plants, and water distribution pipelines. Working closely with the local authorities, we were able to ensure service delivery to over 2 million people affected by the conflict.
- I worked with a team of engineers to set deliverable objectives and provide support and guidance for their various assignments.
- Supported the logistics department in the procurement of engineering services and materials.
International Committee of the Red Cross.Yola & Maiduguri.
Water and Habitat Engineer.
05.2018 - 04.2020
Job overview
- Developed the engineering feasibility study documents for the rehabilitation of the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri. These informed the decision to later rehabilitate the facility. I developed the design proposals and accompanying cost estimations.
- Developed project documents for the re-construction of Shaokari Primary Health Care Center in Borno State, Nigeria. The PHC has a bed capacity of over 40 inpatients, providing service to a catchment of over half a million people. Included in the design was a maternal and child health care center.
- Supervised the rehabilitation of Yola and Mubi water treatment plants, giving support to the technical project manager for the project.
- Conducted field assessments for rural and urban water systems for communities affected by conflict in the north-east part of Nigeria. These field assessments sometimes led to on-the-spot rehabilitation of the facilities and the sharing of skills and knowledge with these communities.
International Committee of the Red Cross. Mogadishu.
Water and Habitat Engineer.
01.2014 - 03.2018
Job overview
- Developed the engineering design for the standard primary health care centers (PHCs) for the Somali Red Crescent Society. The design was adopted as the national standard for SRCS clinics. I supervised the construction of six of these clinics in different regions of Somalia.
- Offered technical training on basic concrete applications to field engineers involved in the construction work. I organized on-site training for contractor staff on construction best practices. This helped improve the overall quality of projects.
International Committee of the Red Cross.Nairobi
Water and Habitat Engineer.
08.2012 - 01.2014
Job overview
- Demonstrated leadership skills in managing the construction of Somali delegation offices within the Nairobi regional delegation complex from procurement to completion.
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to manage projects done in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross Society for people affected by conflict in North Kenya. These included schools and other public infrastructure that was damaged as a result of conflict.
- Provide technical oversight and coordination of water and habitat projects funded by the ICRC and implemented by the KRCS.I conducted field visits with the engineers to assess quality and guide resource allocation to accomplish the projects' objectives.
Civicon Limited. Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal.
Civil & Structural Engineer.
02.2010 - 11.2011
Job overview
- The project was a design-build project where Civicon, the contractor, was responsible for the design and construction of the Wau water treatment plant. The plant has a capacity of 6 million liters per day and serves a population of up to 1 million. The project was financed by USAID and supervised by LBG ( the Louis Berger Group)
- I managed the projects' designs and verification of construction works by managing site activities in accordance with the contract documents, established engineering practices, and industry standards.
- monitored the execution of contract work for compliance with design plans and specifications. Interpreted contracts,working drawings, and specifications for execution teams.
- Managed quality assurance and laboratory testing for concreting operations.
- Estimated quantities and material costs during project planning to support budgeting and costing.
- Prepared and submitted execution reports to the project manager concerning site execution progress and associated issues.
- Responsible for the periodic review of production work carried out on site to ensure quality is maintained during execution processes.
- Ensured that a daily work program was drawn up in liaison with the project manager.
- Responsible for the allocation and control of staff activities and materials to optimize the use of execution resources under my direct control and achieve efficient and safe execution of high-quality work.
- Attended coordination meetings with other departments and represented the project manager during his absence.
- Ensure adherence to all QSHE procedures, policies, and instructions.
- Liaise with local government and security to ensure a smooth working relationship.
- I performed a material inspection to ensure adherence to the expected quality.
- Prepared inspection certificates for sign-off by the client’s representative.
Education
University of NairobiKenya
Bachelor of Science from Civil Engineering
10.2002 - 08.2008
Skills
Construction management
undefinedSoftware
ZwCAD
Certification
PRINCE 2 -Project Management.
Timeline
FIDIC . Conditions of Contract . Module 2.
05-2023
Water and Habitat Engineer
International Committee of the Red Cross
11.2020 - 04.2022
FIDIC. Conditions of Contract. Module 1.
07-2020
PRINCE 2 -Project Management.
10-2018
Construction Project Manager
International Committee of the Red Cross.
05.2018 - Current
Water and Habitat Engineer.
International Committee of the Red Cross.
05.2018 - 04.2020
Water and Habitat Engineer.
International Committee of the Red Cross.
01.2014 - 03.2018
Water and Habitat Engineer.
International Committee of the Red Cross.
08.2012 - 01.2014
Civil & Structural Engineer.
Civicon Limited.
02.2010 - 11.2011
University of Nairobi
Bachelor of Science from Civil Engineering
10.2002 - 08.2008
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