WASH Construction Engineer at LifeWater International, Ethiopia

Lifewater International-Ethiopia hereby announces vacancy for the following position.

 Result Statements:

The WASH Construction Engineer is responsible for the world-class engineering and quality of planning and execution of construction for all forms of Water and Sanitation infrastructure, and ongoing monitoring of constructed Water and Sanitation infrastructures.

Job Summary:

As a part of the Vision of a Healthy Village (VHV) program, the WASH Construction Engineer is responsible for ensuring the highest technical standards for all WASH Water and Sanitation infrastructure in communities, health facilities, and schools–in the construction and rehabilitation of existing points. They do this through supervising and providing oversight of construction, ensuring water quality is tested and potable, and documenting all processes through Lifewater’s AKVO system. They are responsible to follow Lifewater’s ‘software first’ approach by following planned program timelines and supporting Water Committees and community involvement before and during construction as appropriate.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Lead all Water and Sanitation infrastructure construction efforts by providing technical support, supervision, and quality assurance for all Water and Sanitation infrastructure construction to ensure that all work is completed to the highest possible standards.
• Construct all Water and Sanitation infrastructure according to the plan and design.
• Schedule and prepare transportation plans for field activities in consultation with the entire WASH team and Regional Program Manager (RPM).
• In collaboration with colleagues, ensure a high level of community participation in the project and regularly track community participation in terms of unskilled labor and local construction materials and by converting into monetary terms according to the local labor market.
• Source out and monitor labor required for all aspects of construction, including, but not limited to gravel, sand, and stone production, digging of hand dug wells, and masonry, roofing, and plumbing work required.
• Follow Lifewater’s procurement manual for all construction bids.
• Provide on-sight oversight of all construction.
• Ensure all the construction materials procured for water supply are used efficiently.
• Compile and share the material utilization report with the RPM and Engineering Team Leader at each water system immediately after completion of construction and installation.
• Ensure the maintenance and proper care of all the tools and equipment used in the water supply section.
• Oversee water quality sampling at all sites immediately after construction is completed before handover to the community.
• Document all construction using appropriate Akvo forms without delay.
• Ensure proper handover of all the constructed water systems to the concerned government bodies with full of recording data like GPS location, beneficiary, yields of the water system, history of the water system in a well-documented manner and at the right time. Support colleagues as needed in training Water Committees.
• Monitor assigned program Water and Sanitation infrastructures and water committees using appropriate Akvo forms.
• Follow the detailed quarterly monitoring schedule set by the RPM for water committees, water sources, and school ventilated improved latrine (VIPL) blocks that is efficient and effective.
• Perform quarterly monitoring of assigned community water supply systems and water committees – both in-project and sustainability monitoring.
• Perform quarterly monitoring of assigned school Water and Sanitation infrastructure (latrines, handwashing stations, and water points).
• Perform water quality testing at water points at the frequency required by Lifewater’s water quality testing standard.
• Accurately capture monitoring data digitally using AKVO
• Support Lifewater’s ‘software first’ approach by:
• Coordinate with the SH promoters and volunteers to ensure that all the aspects of the safe water supply are integrated into WASH promotion and “software first” is applied before constructing water systems,
• Use participatory approaches as far as possible throughout the program cycle, in feasibility study of proposed water source, training, and in the use of tool kits and other materials.
• Coordinates with focal persons/experts at district water, education, and health offices during construction supervision, community mobilization, and formal handover of completed Water and Sanitation infrastructure Support internal and external reporting.
• Complete all AKVO reports for construction and monitoring at appropriate times.
• Support the Engineering Team Leader (ETL) in preparing necessary and regular reports to appropriate government bodies about water points and school latrines, as well as associated water quality testing or monitoring data. 

Personnel:

• Submit weekly, monthly, and quarter activity progress reports.
• Participate in weekly one-on-one supervision meetings with supervisor.
• Participate in regular staff and remotely manage (virtual) meetings.
• Complete other duties as assigned by supervisors.

Key Indicators of Success:

• BoQ prepared and completed on schedule for all Water and Sanitation infrastructure construction to the assigned communities.
• 100% of Water and Sanitation infrastructure construction completed to Lifewater standards.
• 100% of water quality tests performed for constructed water points before use by the community.
• 100% of Water and Sanitation infrastructure is functional during the intensive phase of the program.
• Less than 10% necessary rework
• 100% of completion of constructed Water and Sanitation infrastructures planned for the quarter monitoring.

Reporting to: Engineering Team Leader

Duty Station: Dodola District (West Arsi Zone)

Terms of Employment: One year contract with possible extension based on performance and availability of budget

Number of Vacant Position: 1(One)

Qualification and Competencies:

• B.Sc. degree in Civil, Hydraulic, Water Resources, Environmental Engineering, Sanitation Engineering, or related fields of Engineering from recognized University/Institution.
• Knowledge of engineering software like AutoCAD, Water CAD, EPHANET…
• Strong ICT skills especially Microsoft Office applications
• Training certificate on Water quality testing is preferred but not required
• Competence in writing high-quality reports, exhibiting detailed and professional attributes.
• Displays technical leadership and is an exemplar in quality delivery and review processes
• Ability to work in a team environment and communicate effectively.
• Analytical skills and decision-making abilities even in complex and sensitive situations.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years and above in delivering water and sanitation infrastructure constructions, planning and budgeting
• Experience with boreholes, Rainwater harvesting systems, gravity flows, springs construction, and school latrines is required.
• Proven experience in water technology development supervision and monitoring.
• Demonstrated experience in working in hard-to-reach areas productively, working in different cultural sets ups.
• Supervision of contractors preferred but not required.

Personal Skills:

• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively within a team setting
• Well organized and efficient in time management whenever there is task pressure
• Commitment to the core values of Lifewater International
• Strong ethics, with an ability to manage confidential data
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relations within and outside the team
• Ability to contribute towards resource stewardship
• Excellent command of the English language
• Punctual, honest, dependable, servant leader, trustworthy, encourager, peacekeeper, multi-tasking, and self-starter