Local recruitment: Project Engineer via DevNetJobsIndia

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

About the Aga Khan Foundation (India) 

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) brings together human, financial, and technical resources to address some of the challenges faced by the poorest and most marginalized communities in the world. Special emphasis is placed on investing in human potential, expanding opportunity, and improving the overall quality of life, especially for women and girls. The Foundation primarily works across seven thematic areas – agriculture and food security; climate resilience; education; early childhood development; health, nutrition, and WASH; work, and enterprise; and the strengthening of community institutions to lead development interventions. AKF is a member of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of 11 development agencies addressing the needs of poor and marginalized communities in more than thirty countries where it operates.  

AKF started its operations in India in 1978, and today implements programs in both rural and urban areas across five states (Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Delhi). 

Programme Details 

In partnership with charity: water, AKF has initiated a rural drinking water supply programme that is in alignment with AKF’s overall WASH strategy and the Government of India’s flagship scheme of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) that aims to provide assured potable water through tap connections to every rural household by 2024.  

In line with AKF’s and charity: water’s goal of helping as many people as possible gain reliable and lasting access to clean and safe drinking water and move up the drinking water ladder, the initiative aims to ensure safe and reliable water supply at the household level in 30 villages of Uttar Pradesh by providing improved water points closer to people’s homes. Strong community-level processes, empowering communities with knowledge regarding water quality and close engagement with local government institutions, and a focus on source sustainability measures are some of the other key approaches of this intervention to ensure the long-term functionality of water points. At the same time, the programme will facilitate comprehensive water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programming, ensuring improved health outcomes. 

Position Summary 

To support the implementation of the Rural Water Supply Schemes Programme, the Aga Khan Foundation seeks to recruit a Project Engineer with the key responsibility to undertake technical planning, designing, cost estimation and overseeing of the construction quality/ renovation of rural water supply schemes in select locations of Barabanki and Sitapur districts of Uttar Pradesh. 

Key Responsibilities 

Planning and Implementation 

• Under the guidance and direction of the Programme Manager, ensure the effective planning and implementation of the rural drinking water supply schemes.
• With the objective of ensuring piped water supply to all households in the identified project villages, develop village piped water supply infrastructure plans, including drawing, design, cost estimates and bills of quantities (BOQ), estimates for overhead tanks, distribution network, structure for grey water management and source sustainability 
• Ensure the development of reliable drinking water sources and/ or augmentation of existing sources to provide long-term sustainability of water supply systems 
• Identify technological interventions for the removal of contaminants where water quality is an issue 
• Retrofitting of completed and ongoing schemes to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) at minimum service level 
• Prepare and finalize contract documents by ensuring that relevant clauses are included in the tender documents for the supply of goods, works, and services 
• Undertake Measurement Booking of the construction work on agreed periodicity and recommend for timely payment 
• Support the establishment of a water quality monitoring system, including facilitating linkages with water quality testing labs 
• Train the implementation team on technical aspects of the program e.g. water quality tests through Field Test Kits, grey water management, source sustainability, sanitary inspection, etc. 
• Support the field team on technical aspects related to the establishment of community-based drinking water supply schemes, their sustainability, and maintenance during community meetings and awareness campaigns 
• Closely monitor the implementation of all construction activities through regular field visits, sharing updates on key observations and corrective measures. Ensure that all construction conforms to the highest standards of quality and safety.
• Provide support in undertaking water needs assessment of villages and development of Village Action Plans 
• Provide technical inputs to Gram Panchayat and/ or its sub-committee, i.e., VWSC/ Paani Samiti/ User Group, etc. in source identification for Water Supply Schemes 
• Identify existing assets and dysfunctional schemes that can be retrofitted and prepare a detailed estimate BOQ and other relevant documents 
• Ensure trial run and facilitate scheme commissioning along with a robust O&M plan 
• Ensure effective and efficient use of resources, ensuring cost efficiency.   
• Ensure timeliness and quality of construction and handing over of assets to the community.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant Aga Khan Foundation policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, and other relevant policies  

District and block-level Engagement 

• Ensure that the technical elements of programme implementation are aligned with the objectives of the Jal Jeevan Mission 
• Liaise, build, and maintain collaborations with Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, and other agencies/departments 
• Regular participation in block-level government meetings (BWSM/BWSC)/ workshops and sharing progress updates on the water supply infrastructure 
• Identify opportunities to leverage government funding for source sustainability and greywater management  

Ensure high-quality programme delivery, review, and monitoring 

• Ensure regular recording of the project progress, support the Programme Manager in the development of regular progress reports and project briefs as required 
• Undertake regular field visits in the project area for monitoring, closely coordinating, and monitoring the work of the construction agency, ensuring quality standards in construction activities 
• Coordinate with the Programme Manager to roll out a technology-based monitoring system to strengthen O&M processes.  

Documentation & Reporting 

• Prepare village profiles, collect data, undertake a mapping of village-level resources, and analyze the data collected. 
• Prepare monthly, and quarterly progress reports along with success stories and facilitate the dissemination of emerging learning 
• Support the Programme Manager in the identification and documentation of best practices and case studies across the project 
• Undertake any other additional duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Reporting Officer from time to time  

Essential Qualification and Skill Required

• Qualified and experienced engineer or equivalent (Degree/Diploma in Civil/ architecture will be preferred) 
• Minimum three years of proven experience in civil construction especially in designing, drawing, cost estimation, and project site management 
• Experience in exercising financial responsibility and budget control 
• Ability to communicate and maintain tactful relations with relevant local authorities and other partners 
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively with contractors and other service providers 
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to improvise 
• Well-versed in the use of designing software 
• Excellent computer skills in MS Office especially and other engineering software like AutoCAD 
• Willingness to travel extensively to the programme areas and work closely with rural communities. 

To apply 

Please submit your updated CV, accompanied by a cover letter stating the reasons for your interest in the position by 11^th November 2024 using the link below. 

www.the.akdn/careers/2191243

The Aga Khan Development Network is an international group of private, non-denominational development agencies and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, often in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities. Visit us at www.akdn.org 

The Aga Khan Foundation is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and will strive to ensure that all job applicants, staff, and volunteers, do not suffer negative discrimination on the basis of their religion, race, caste, color, nationality, social class, sex, place of birth, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, HIV status, age etc. or any combination of these.