Capacity Building Planning Management/Specialist Technical Advisor
Total years of experience :14 years, 0 Months
Ministry Of Energy and Water
Kabul, Afghanistan
The Civilian Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) is an internationally supported Afghan Government program
that aims to create stronger government institutions with more effective structures, efficient processes and skilled
personnel. It assists the Afghan Government organizations to implement capacity development and performance
improvement programs by providing them with skilled international technical experts and capacity development
advisors.
This assignment involved supporting a government-led capacity development program within the Ministry of
Energy and Water. Under the supervision of the Deputy Minister of Water and Planning Director, Mr. Qargha was
providing capacity building services, technical advice, and management support required to allow the Ministry of
Energy and water to achieve its objective of planning, managing and implementing large water related
infrastructural projects.
Mr. Qargha’s duties as Planning and Management Specialist/Advisor in Ministry of Energy and Water were but
not limited to:
* Improved the organizational set up of the department
* For better management of the projects, initiated formation of an expert team responsible for management
and implementation of major water infrastructural projects
* Performed assessment of the department and identified areas that needed capacity development
* Devised training program for counter parts and other staff
* Conducted training programs for the department staff
* Helped in the development of project specific plans and TORs
* Improve the flow of work within the department
* Coach and mentor the designated counterpart in order to support his/her professional development and to
enable him/her to discharge his/her responsibilities more effectively.
* Improved record keeping and filing systems of the department
* Advised the General Director (GD) and Deputy Minister (DM) on different issues such as project
feasibility studies, design alternatives, reorganizational schemes, and staff recruitment
* Helped the counter parts with daily activities of the ministry - This is a major component of his
responsibilities related to capacity building
* Helped project managers with writing reports, reviewing of modifications, and evaluations of contractors
* Attend high level meetings with donors, contractors and other stakeholder for the purposes of advising the
GD and DM in making the right decisions.
* Interviewing potential candidates for local and international positions within the department
* Helped the ministry with review of contracts
* Help the Department with writing proper proposals
* Serve as a key advisor for the ministry on water projects and use his professional skills in designing and
planning the projects and training the staff in this regard.
* Help with analyzing water plans on a long and short-term basis under various assumptions.
* Helped other department based on need
Mr. Qargha’s major achievements are:
Saif ur Rahman Qargha
Qargha, Kabul Afghanistan, 0700610846
Kariz Rehabilitation and Water Supply Project
Ghazni Gardez Raod - Mr. Qargha served as the Deputy Project Manager for the 38 million dollars project. He
was responsible for drafting the project proposal and maintained client relations. He was also responsible for all
plans of the project, reporting, M & E, capacity building, training, and community development programs. In
general he was leading the following aspects of the project:
* Hiring of key international staff.
* Establishment of community development and mobilization team
* Assessment and procurement of subcontractors
* Client and public relations.
* Preparation and submittal of project plans, such as Capacity Building and Community Development Plan,
Training Program for Local Staff, QC Plan, Traffic Management/Control Plan, Safety Plan, Security
Plan, and Demining Plan.
* Establishment of all aspects the technical office, including finance, HR, logistics and procurement
departments
* Overseeing the project controls, reporting, and schedule
* Responsible for monthly Monitoring and Evaluation report
* Responsible for project analysis and monthly reports
* Planning the establishment of Construction Camp
* Reviewing bridge and structure shop drawings.
* Preparing scope of work for bridge and structure subsurface investigation, embankment activities, and
laboratory testing.
* Preparing contract modifications.
* Performing field inspection of structures, embankment work, and bridge construction.
* Procurement of subcontractors services
* Procurement of Plants and Equipments
* Responsible for reviewing invoices
* Establishing and monitoring lab activities
* Maintaining relations with, ministry of Public Works, Local government, municipality, and tribal elders
Ghazni Gardez Raod - Mr. Qargha was serving nominally as the Deputy Project Manager for the Ghazni to Gardiz
Road project, but was performing all the duties of the project manager. This project is a USAID funded project,
and it has been under implementation since May 2007. The project budget is more than 62 million dollars and
connects the two provinces and provides an array of social and economic benefits to the local population and
Afghanistan as a whole. Mr. Qargha was responsible for monitoring project success and ensured the project was
on schedule and within budget. He successfully managed the performance of contractors, design staff, and ensured
Saif ur Rahman Qargha
Qargha, Kabul Afghanistan, 0700610846
The Prince William County Department of Public Works Transportation Division oversees the construction of roads and
transportation infrastructures for Prince William County, VA. Mr. Qargha was responsible for overall management of the
project including financial, design, construction, and staff management. He interfaced with subcontractors, PW County
Government, Virginia Department of Transportation, developer, and the general public.
The projects involved contract management, ensuring compliance with project technical and legal requirements, ensuring
proper close-out of the project, drafting of RFPs, meetings and discussions with engineering consultants, approving the
Saif ur Rahman Qargha
Qargha, Kabul Afghanistan, 0700610846
Completed geotechnical studies on several projects and prepared report of design
recommendations based on findings
Served as staff engineer on the following projects:
Takoma Transportation Study, DDOT, D.C. - Developed transportation study for the Takoma, DC and Takoma Park,
Maryland area. Examined existing and proposed traffic condition and made recommendations to improve mobility
and traffic safety in the study area.
District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT), Intersection Safety Study, Washington, D.C. - Worked
with DDOT on safety analysis for high accident intersections in the Washington, D.C area. Conducted field
observations, used AutoCAD in order to simulate accident diagrams for analysis. Provided recommendations for
improving safety at intersections in a report.
Truck Detour Project, Department of Treasury, Washington, D.C. - Worked on project to identify and design
activities needed to enforce a detour route for large trucks crossing under the Department of Treasury Facilities
Management Building. Assessed the impact of diverting certain heights of trucks, developed sign plans and
identifying alternatives for a barrier to prevent large trucks from entering the tunnel.
District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT), Intersection Safety Study, Washington, D.C. - Worked
with DDOT on safety analysis for high accident intersections in D.C. Conducted field observations, used AutoCAD,
and accident analysis. Provided recommendations for improving safety at intersections.
Performed Soil Classification/ Laboratory Analysis
Prepared Engineering Reports
Prepared Geotechnical Drilling Programs
Reviewed Plans and Specs for compliance
Performed Quality Control
Performed Field Inspection
Held meetings with different agencies such as VDOT and County officials
Attended client meetings to discuss cost, scope of work and other concerns
Composed engineering reports and proposals
Evaluated projects for cost estimation
Helped the land development team with reports and AutoCadd design
Designed Retaining Wall, Thrust Blocks, and Bridge Attachments for Fiber Optic crossings
Saif ur Rahman Qargha
Qargha, Kabul Afghanistan, 0700610846
Mr. Qargha has been serving as program director for CCC where he is providing leadership, management and
oversight for an array of engineering projects including road works, irrigation schemes, monitoring and inspection
services etc. He has been responsible for drafting of the proposals and is involved with setting up and maintaining
the management systems of the projects. On these projects he has handled high level community and government
relations, technical issues, client relations, contract modifications, conflict resolution, procurement of staff, and
procurement of equipments and project vendors.
Providing Design and Construction Services for 9.5Km Kundus City Roads, Kunduz Province, Afghanistan
Working for Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF - Germans)
Providing Design & Construction Services for 26 km road -Dawlatabad to Shortepa- Balkh Province, Afghnaistan
Working for Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) - Germans
Road and Civil Works Inspection and Valuation Services for Shibirghan Gas Generation Activity (SGG) - US
Saif ur Rahman Qargha
Qargha, Kabul Afghanistan, 0700610846
These projects, funded by different international agencies, were implemented in the last year. Mr Qargha was in
charge of all aspects of these projects including field office setup, personnel recruitment, overlooking different
departments of HR, finance, logistics etc. Mr Qargha spearheaded client relations, government coordination and
community relations.
compliance to all project specifications and regulations. He was also responsible for hiring project support staff,
such as engineers and technicians. Mr. Qargha has been successfully responsible for the following tasks:
* Managing all aspects of design phase and made sure they are according to AASHTO design standards,
including:
1. Field assessment and reconnaissance
2. Alignment assessment
3. Hydrologic, topographic, and geotechnical studies.
4. Bridges, culverts, side slope, ditches, super elevations, horizontal and vertical curves, retaining
walls, etc
5. Pavement design
6. Side slopes and ditch
* Managing, assembling and implementing field survey under heavy security threats
* Working closely with Community Development manager, and conducting meetings with USAID, Afghan
government officials of the Ministry of Public Works, tribal elders, governors, district governors, PRT
officials, local contractors etc.
* Developing and monitoring project schedule
* Working closely with the contracting office and ensuring compliance of legal requirements
* Attending regular USAID meetings and reporting on progress, difficulties and challenges of the project
* Managing the design and construction of two construction camps along the length of the project
* Reviewing and assessing the prequalification documents of potential contractors
* Preparing modification to the contract
* Reviewing and approving the project invoices
* Preparing addendums during tendering process
* Reviewing the project BOQ and engineer’s estimate
* Designing specific project management schemes, such as project organizational chart and personnel needs
* Drafting scope of work for camp and road construction
* Working on proposal for community development program
* Reviewing the demining plan and RFP
* Performing technical review of the bids
* Meeting on regular bases with the security personnel and receiving security briefing
* Working closely with the project control manager in keeping the project schedule current and up to date
* Preparing monthly project update
* Preparing final design, QA/QC, Work Plan, and security reports
* Ensuring proper closeout of the project
This project had many diverse aspects from major security concerns to in-detail involvement with the project
design and implementation, capacity building and community development initiatives. It required acuteness,
alertness and vigilance in an ever changing and dynamic environment. Mr. Qargha was on top of every challenge,
concern and problem faced regarding this project. The project was well within the allocated budget and schedule.
Dushi Raod and Uruzgan Bridges in Oshay and Regag Villages - Mr. Qargha worked on the proposal of Bamyan
Dushi Road and Uruzgan bridges. He also drafted the topographic and geotechnical RFP’s in conjunction with
the design team, conducted pre bid seminars, scoping meetings with USAID, and performed field reconnaissance
missions. He coordinated the preliminary design of the bridges and alignment of the road with the design time
and the client.
contractors work plan and schedule, negotiating the scope and cost of the project, reviewing, amending and approving design
alternatives of roadways, retaining walls, Storm Water Management Ponds, water and sewer lines, drainage facilities, and
traffic signal plan. Other aspects of the projects include Coordination and meetings with Virginia Department of
Transportation, attending public hearings and responding to citizen concerns, preparing project progress reports, budgeting the
allocated funds, dealing with issues such as easement acquisition, wet land and environmental studies, field inspection,
preparation of bid documents, and problem solving and analysis during design and construction phases.
Wellington Road Intersections Improvements and Extension, Prince William County, Virginia - This was a design-
build project. Mr. Qargha was serving as the project Manager/Engineer for the design and construction of
improvement of two main intersections along Wellington Road and extension of a portion of the road. This
was a Seven Million Dollar ($7, 000, 000.00) Project.
Benita Fitzgerald, Prince William County, Virginia - Served as project Manager/Engineer for this project which
involves design of 1, 500 linear feet of roadway. Benita Fitzgerald was extended in order to serve the new
communities and provide an alternate route to I-95. This is a six million Dollar ($6, 000, 000) project. Mr. Qargha
monitored the design consultant and provided support during the construction phase of the project.
Old Bridge Road and Prince William Parkway, Virginia - Served as project Manager/Engineer for this design-build
project, which involves design and construction of improvements to this intersection. This is a two million Dollar
($2, 000, 000) project.
Minnieville Road and Prince William Parkway, Virginia - Served as project Manager/Engineer for this design-build
project, which involved design of improvements to this intersection. This was a three million Dollar ($3, 000, 000)
project.
Park and Ride Facility at Route 234 and Route 1, Dumfries, Virginia - Served as project Manager/Engineer for this
project which involved design of improvements to the existing facility so that capacity is increased. This is a five
million Dollar ($4, 500, 000) project.
Conducted a geotechnical investigation for the Remedial
design of an existing retaining wall. Hydrostatic pressure was building behind the wall and causing movement and
damage. The causes of the Hydrostatic Pressure build up were investigated and a Manta Ray System was
recommended for securing the wall.
Glasgow Middle Scholl, Fairfax County School, Fairfax, Virginia - Managed project by defining the scope of
services for project which included drilling four soil test borings to characterize subsurface conditions for the
proposed modular building, performing limited laboratory testing of soil samples, performing engineering analysis,
and preparing a Report of Geotechnical Findings and Recommendations. The project involved the design and
construction of a school building with its surrounding parking lot, SWM Pond, infiltration trench, and an access drive
way.
Freeport Bridge, Freeport, West Virginia - Served as geotechnical engineer by completing a subsurface investigation
to compose a report with recommendations for foundation. This project involved the study, design and construction
for the replacement of the Freeport Bridge carrying WV 47 over Goose Creek . The proposed bridge was replaced in
its existing location in accordance with two alternatives, one using a combination of spread footings and deep
foundation and the other utilizing spread footings for both abutments. The replacement bridge is anticipated to be
Saif ur Rahman Qargha
Qargha, Kabul Afghanistan, 0700610846
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