Field Engineer - Fiji

POSITION SUMMARY

The Field Engineer – Fiji will provide technical guidance and input to implement the Fiji component of 
a program focused on disaster risk reduction in the Pacific region. The role is key to achieving our 
aims in the region. The post holder will be responsible for supporting all aspects of technology 
management and technological capacity building, working with all technical and program staff in the
location. This is a very special opportunity for someone who wants to manage a unique approach 
combining the latest innovations with traditional methods to improve the delivery of aid and 
development assistance.
The position reports to the Pacific Technical Lead based in Fiji and is expected to help make project 
decisions. The Field Engineer will work with a team of regional technical staff to support and deliver 
training and workshop activities to build local capabilities, and deploy to field sites to perform repair 
and improvement works on small scale infrastructure as directed. The Engineer works closely with 
local stakeholders to create new solutions to well-understood local problems. In addition, the 
Engineer will be required to seek out and contribute to the development of further projects to ensure 
the growth of the programme.
The position holder will be based in Suva, Fiji and will undertake travel within Fiji and the Pacific region 
as required. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

The following are illustrative responsibilities that are expected to evolve over time and depend on the 
organisational and programmatic needs. An effective Field Engineer will combine relevant technical 
know-how with excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to ‘get things done’ under challenging 
conditions. The Engineer’s responsibilities for this task include but are not limited to:
1) Work with a broad array of manufacturing processes, from digital fabrication to traditional largescale processes to local craft techniques and provide technical support and professional advice to 
the team in these areas.
2) Demonstrate a strong understanding of locally available materials, suppliers, and fabrication 
capabilities, and apply creative, “outside-the-box” thinking to solve technical challenges in 
resource-constrained environments.
3) Help strengthen Field Ready’s technology projects by providing support throughout planning and 
implementation.
4) Assist in addressing technical training needs, conduct training as appropriate for Field Ready staff
and apprentices, and for key stakeholders.
5) Help develop and manage technical work-plans and ensure implementation.
6) Ensure regular communication with technical and administration teams, especially with regards 
to risk management, procurement and project monitoring.
7) Ensure the highest possible quality and rigour, with high standards of engineering professionalism.
8) Apply sound engineering judgement to adapt best-practice principles and standards to real-world 
field constraints, balancing safety, quality, time, and budget to ensure successful project delivery. 
9) Provide technical input into tender documents preparations, proposals, bid evaluations, 
contractor procurement, supply chain, designs and installation of equipment.
10) Represent Field Ready to outside partners when required.
11) Assist in managing local contractors and apprentices.
12) Effectively communicate engineering principles, design decisions, and technical trade-offs to nontechnical audiences, including partners, community members, and stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required competencies:

• Engineering: Skilled in the use of a wide range of manufacturing equipment and processes and a 
first-rate ‘maker’, with strong hands-on experience in making, equipment maintenance and 
troubleshooting, CAD-based design (including experience with professional engineering software 
such as SolidWorks), concept generation, product development, and prototyping. Demonstrates 
a strong understanding of engineering best practices, while applying critical technical judgement 
and creative problem-solving to adapt designs and standards to local materials, suppliers, and 
resource-constrained field contexts in order to deliver safe, practical solutions within time and 
budget constraints.
• Project management: the ability to effectively manage technical projects throughout their life 
cycle, backed up by project management experience.
• Line management: the ability to effectively manage a small team of apprentices, trainees and 
volunteers.
• Partnerships: the ability to maintain and grow relationships with external partners including 
manufacturing partners and donors.
• Working with others: the ability to work effectively with others and promote a congenial work 
environment.
• Self-management: the ability to undertake technical work independently in a potentially
challenging environment.
• Needs assessments: the ability to conduct needs assessments to identify need and engage with 
users/beneficiaries which may lead to innovative engineering opportunities.
• Humanitarian commitment: knowledge of or experience in a humanitarian or development 
setting and an understanding of the principles that govern humanitarian action.

Required skills and experience:

• English Language: excellent written and interpersonal communication in English, including the 
ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences
• Local work: practical experience of working in the manufacturing, engineering or technical sector 
in the Pacific region, with familiarity with local materials, suppliers, and production contexts
• Location: ability and willingness to travel around the region for periods up to two months at a 
time.

Desirable criteria:

• Training: Experience of delivering technical training.
• Humanitarian work: experience working with vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities. Familiarity in working with institutional partners and donor grants is a distinct advantage. 
• Networks: strong connections in the maker community or the manufacturing sector and ability to 
use them for the furtherance of Field Ready’s vision.
• Education: A professional engineering qualification is required; however, this role is not confined 
to a single engineering discipline. Field Engineers are expected to operate as versatile, all-round 
practitioners, working beyond their primary specialisation and confidently tackling a wide range 
of mechanical, civil, electrical, fabrication, and systems-level challenges using sound engineering 
judgement and practical problem-solving skills