ABOUT THE ROLE

The Water and Construction Engineer is expected to provide consistent and high-quality technical support in relation to sustained WASH access and behaviors. The position involves liaising with local authorities, communities, and other agencies regularly to ensure effective implementation of activities as well as participate in WASH-related forums. As part of the assignment, the position holder is expected to identify, design and develop/adopt communication approaches, manuals and materials on appropriate water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, health promotion and disease prevention, and support in project surveys and need assessments. S/he is expected to coordinate training and monitoring of Community Health Workers, Community Health Extension Workers and hygiene promoters with frequent trips to the project sites to organize promotion activities, collect data and statistics concerning issues that relates with WASH BCC and provide periodic progress updates. The position holder will be based in Turkana.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Planning and Design

• Collaborate with the Project Manager and Turkana County Water Department to develop detailed plans for water and sanitation infrastructure.
• Conduct site assessments and feasibility studies for new and rehabilitated solarized boreholes, sand dams, and water purification systems.
• Prepare engineering designs, specifications, and cost estimates for construction projects.

Implementation and Supervision

• Oversee the drilling and installation of solarized boreholes, ensuring adherence to technical specifications and safety standards.
• Supervise the construction of sand dams, water purification, and treatment facilities, and sanitation infrastructure.
• Manage subcontractors and construction teams, ensuring timely and quality delivery of project components.

Technical Support and Capacity Building

• Provide technical guidance and support to the project team and local stakeholders on water and sanitation engineering.
• Conduct training sessions for community members, local water committees, and county staff on operation and maintenance of water infrastructure.
• Develop maintenance manuals and operational guidelines for all constructed facilities.
• Business Development Identify new program opportunities through rapid assessments and proposal development inputs and writing as needed.
• Provide technical support in the development and writing of new concepts and proposals for fundraising.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Work closely with the M&E officer in provision of periodic updates highlighting progress, lessons learnt and bottlenecks.
• Implement monitoring plans to track project progress and ensure compliance with engineering standards and project goals.
• Conduct regular site visits to assess the quality of construction work and provide feedback for improvement.
• Collect and analyze data on water quality, usage, and system performance.

Community Engagement and Coordination

• Engage with community leaders, community managed water projects, schools, and/or health facilities to ensure their needs are addressed and incorporated into project planning.
• Coordinate with the Turkana County water department, Kakuma/Turkana Water and Sanitation Enterprise, UNHCR and other stakeholders to align project activities with county plans and policies.
• Facilitate community meetings and awareness campaigns on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices.

Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare detailed progress reports, technical reports, and documentation of project activities.
• Maintain accurate records of construction activities, including site diaries, material usage, and labor inputs.
• Contribute to the development of donor reports and presentations as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree is an added advantage.

Required Experience Essential

• Minimum of four (4) years’ experience in water and sanitation project design, supervision, contract management, tendering, community & authority engagement and budgeting.
• Experience in rural or underserved areas is highly desirable; and willingness to learn, travel and live in remote areas with basic amenities.
• Knowledge, training and experience in WASH and community engagement
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in engineering design software (e.g., AutoCAD), project management tools, and water quality testing methods. Knowledge of solar-powered water systems and sustainable construction practices.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated skills in program planning, implementation and monitoring
• Proficiency in spoken and written English and Swahili
• Strong computer and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Keen attention to details
• Able to deliver quality work within tight deadlines with minimal supervision
• Hard working and results oriented
• Strong communication skills with the ability to write clearly, concisely, and in a logical manner
• Assessment and planning skills