Seeking a Full-Time Field Local Water and Hydrogeology Engineer for Innovation: Africa’s Garoua, Cameroon Office
Background
Innovation: Africa (IA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organisation with a team of dedicated problem solvers with a mission to bring solutions and know-how to those in need living in rural African villages. We use solar energy to pump clean water and provide schools, orphanages and medical clinics with light and refrigeration to store vaccines and medicines. IA has completed over 1,300 solar and agricultural projects, providing light, clean water, and proper medical care to more than 5,5 million people in Tanzania, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, Cameroon, and Zambia.
Job Summary
We are seeking a highly trained and qualified individual to join our Cameroon team as a Field Water & Hydrogeology Engineer in Garoua, North Region. This position works under the supervision of the Country Manager and is responsible for overseeing iA’s solar water pumping systems, technical implementation, liaison with local contractors and in-house engineers, as well as providing technical support at all sites post completion. The Field Water & Hydrogeology Engineer will also be responsible for all iA field activities, including identifying and selecting the beneficiaries of our projects, actively engaging in community mobilization and sensitization, establishing and maintaining regular communication with the communities we serve, implementing project-related activities, providing regular reports and ongoing monitoring of the projects. Candidates should expect frequent travel to the field to identify new projects, oversee the construction and implementation of ongoing projects, and monitor completed projects.
Reports To:
Country Manager (Local Office), Senior Engineer (Local Office)
Requirements:
Hydraulic/ Water Responsibilities:
- Oversee all field operations related to solar and water projects, including prospective project search, project construction/implementation, monitoring and evaluation and maintenance.
- Work closely with the local contractor to plan and design all solar water pumping systems.
- Oversee technical implementation of all water systems and serve as the technical point person for all system designs.
- Manage on-site work during all stages of the system construction and maintenance.
- Independently assess needs for maintenance work (post-installation) in projects where a malfunction exists.
- Community technical training and sensitization.
- Track the progress of ongoing field installation and maintenance activities.
- Maintain regular contact with Innovation: Africa’s engineers in Israel to successfully implement and monitor new solar technologies and remote monitoring systems.
- Appropriately sensitize the communities we work with, including establishing project steering committees and small solar-related businesses to maintain the project.
- Support the Country Manager to manage relationships with municipal officers, local leaders, and international stakeholders.
- Send daily updates and regular progress reports to the international management team regarding prospective projects, construction and implementation of current projects, and monitoring existing projects.
Hydrogeology Responsibilities:
- Plan and supervise geophysical surveys to locate potential groundwater sources.
- Oversee the drilling, development, and testing of boreholes to ensure quality and sustainability.
- Conduct water quality analysis and provide recommendations to ensure safe drinking water.
- Supervise and provide technical support to local drilling contractors and iA field teams.
- Ensure all drilling activities comply with iA standards and national regulations.
- Maintain accurate records of drilling operations, borehole data, and water quality results.
- Review reports, analyze data, provide recommendations
- Collaborate closely with the Country Manager, Senior Engineer, other departments, and field staff to ensure timely and efficient project execution.
- Independently assess needs for maintenance work (post-installation) in projects where a malfunction exists, and provide sustainable solutions
- Conduct regular site visits to monitor progress and provide on-the-ground technical guidance.
- Work closely with local contractors
- Conduct technical trainings to iA beneficiaries on water management for domestic and agricultural use
- Support field teams in conducting effective sensitization to all iA water beneficiaries, including the establishment of project steering committees.
Qualifications
- The ideal candidate is a dedicated team-player with strong interpersonal skills who has a background in water engineering, Hydrogeology, community development and mobilisation, and working with international stakeholders.
- The candidate must demonstrate a proven passion for working with the community and possess detailed orientation and problem-solving skills.
Compensation
Commensurate with experience
Requirements
- B.Sc./M.Sc. in science-related discipline such as Water Engineering with high experience in hydrogeology or a closely related field,
- Master’s degree preferred
- Technologically oriented with excellent computer skills, including proficiency in email, EPANET, GIS (GPS, ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth), Microsoft Office software, and all other relevant software.
- At least 3 years of working experience in the implementation of rural water systems
- Drilling or any relevant experience is strongly required
- Proficiency in Epanet is mandatory
- Driver’s license
- Ability to commit to flexible working hours
- Live and speak the local language(s) of Garoua Region
- High proficiency in English and French, both writing and speaking
Application Instructions
Please send your cover letter and CV as a single PDF attachment to: cm.water@innovation-africa.odoo.com before the 5th January 2025.
As an international organisation, our teams are spread out between the USA, Israel, and Africa, and team members are constantly on the move. We strive to use technological solutions to keep our staff in close contact, despite busy travel schedules. To ensure our operations run smoothly, we keep close communication via phone, Zoom, WhatsApp, Slack and more. This position requires the ability to keep up with this fast-paced environment and to be comfortable working with colleagues across time zones and continents.
