Water For People is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that works with people and partners to develop innovative and long-lasting solutions to the water, sanitation, and hygiene problems globally. The organization strives to continually improve, experiment with promising new ideas, and leverage resources to multiply its impact.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Project Engineer provides overall technical oversight for planning, implementation, and supervision of delivery of water and sanitation services across the project area. The Project Engineer works with private sector partners, local government and Ministry of Water, funding agencies and provides leadership in technical and non -technical support in design, building and implementation of water projects. The Project Engineer ensures delivery of high-quality, climate resilient and sustainable water and sanitation projects adhering to the national, organization and donors’ standards.
This position is responsible for managing all engineering aspects of projects, including water and sanitation engineering aspects. Actively participating and contributing to the Country’s strategic plans, annual operating and budget plans, monitoring the plans, fundraising, communication, and reporting. Will provide necessary support to program staff and country program partners to ensure that program objectives and goals are met. This position has the following key work objectives:
- Contribute to the attainment of the national water and sanitation agenda and related objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including attaining water and sanitation for all and ensuring water quality and sanitation standards towards improved quality of life for the people.
- Liaising with national and Everyone Forever (EF) Districts’ stakeholders and maintaining close collaboration with WASH partners.
- The position contributes to pertinent knowledge management and technical guidance on sustainable and affordable water supply and sanitation technologies and approaches.
- Provide technical assistance to EF Districts in understanding, applying and complying with national policies and standards as well as Water For People operational procedures relating to grant administration and organizational policies for procurement of goods, works and services.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the overall supervision of the Program Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:
- Specific Responsibilities
- Technology Innovation and Research in new water and sanitation designs
- Technical Advisory Role to RUWASA, Community-Based Water Services Organisations (CBWSOs), Private Operators and Water User Associations, in managing water schemes.
- Quality Assurance of technical designs, bills of quantities, technological surveys for the design and building of both private sector operated and community managed water schemes in the programme area.
- Promote technological innovations conducive to Private Sector participation.
- Coordinate technical interventions made by our partners and Local Government in Mpwapwa district and other districts selected by the programme.
- Lead in development of design plans, working drawings, technical specifications, bill of quantities as per approved standards by the Ministry of Water.
- Supervision of implementation and contract administration of sanitation and water supply development including water supply installation and borehole drilling, water supply schemes construction, water treatment plant construction and Water Sources Protection works.
- Mainstreaming of private sector management approaches in all water and sanitation related interventions.
- Providing technical advisory support to private sector operators of piped and gravity fed water systems and user committees of community managed water schemes.
- Assist community-based projects to integrate sustainable operation and maintenance (O&M) practices in management of Water For People supported water schemes.
- Assist local government authorities, Water Boards and user committees to prepare tender documents for purposes of soliciting bids/tenders from contractors, and engagement of entrepreneurs to manage the privately run water schemes.
- Support selection of contractors through cost effective ways.
- Supervise contractors overseeing construction and rehabilitation of water schemes and sanitation facilities according to government set standards ensuring quality control.
- In the case of community managed water schemes, coordinate community mobilization with view to participating in availing labour and locally available construction materials etc as required.
- Prepare project documentation including monthly project reports on implementation/ construction status.
- Ensure that the “Everyone Forever” strategy in Mpwapwa has adequate support for design and implementation of water supply and sanitation activities after exit of Water For People.
- Planning delivery of water projects with partners (RUWASA, utilities, water boards and water user committees; sub county and town council local governments; private sector operators among others).
- Support the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer in conducting annual data collection including water quality, service levels.
- Commit to constant learning and development and keep up to date with professional advancements in own field.
- To contribute to the compilation of donor proposals and reports in conjunction with the appropriate staff.
- Liaison with local government and sector agencies at the district level to jointly plan and implement projects.
- Build capacity of our local partners and CBWSOs to build operate and maintain water and sanitation facilities.
- Build capacity of local government and district sector agencies in planning and monitoring water and sanitation facilities.
- Lead in technical assessments of water situation in the program area and recommend appropriate interventions.
- Review partner proposals and provide guidance by giving recommendations on technical proposals.
- Support partners in design and implementation of operation and maintenance training activities for project stakeholders and water users.
- Review latrine designs ensuring that they are appropriate to each given context; aspects such as cost, equity and inclusion, environmental standards, sustainability should be considered.
- Keep database of all water supply and sanitation projects implemented under the county program including geo-coordinates of water points, water quality, quantity and depths of boreholes and shallow wells etc.
- Support development of innovative sanitation technologies.
- Contribute to regional and national level engagements with the Ministry of Water, regional and district entities, stakeholders, and development partners.
- Engaging in profiling Water For People approaches including investment planning, assets analysis, payment for water innovations, metering among others.
- Lead/participate in missions to ascertain project completion and ensure that provisional and final handovers are done as planned and completion reports are elaborated.
- Participate in the elaboration of District WASH investment plans when necessary to ensure that all aspects of access to water and sanitation infrastructure are considered.
- Representing Water For People at meetings, seminars and conferences related to water and sanitation sector activities.
2. Strategic and Operational Planning
- Work with Country Program staff to develop strategic plans in line with Water For People’s overall strategy and policy objectives.
- Contribute to Water For People’s overall program and policy discussions.
- Undertake any sector review and/or thematic research in preparation of the next programming cycle.
- Participate in the elaboration of annual multiyear operating plans in line with the pre- allocated budget.
3. Finance, communication and Advocacy
- Contribute to proper financial management of the supported projects ensuring that administration and finance related to the project follow the country’s procedures.
- Participate in financial reviews and projections.
- Provide all required data to finance team on time and indicate appropriate GL account (s) to be affected by expenditures incurred under your area of responsibility.
- Track revenue and expenditures against grant budget on monthly basis.
- Contribute to Water For People Tanzania’s visibility through proper documentation, strategic communications and preparation of issues-based stories, case studies or learning papers.
- Attend different coordination meetings called by the government, Water Sector Working Group.
- Ensure full participation of program partners and stakeholders in all program planning cycle, implementation, and monitoring.
4. Grants’ management related duties
- Manage and develop all aspects of donor account management by developing and implementing strategies to maximize the giving potential of donors, while adhering with the grant management process.
- Maximize partners’ relationships by becoming deeply familiar with donor’s requirements and partners ‘commitments to the program.
- Support the grant management process as appropriate for your role.
- Provide all required data to finance team on time and ensure accurate expenditure reporting in donor required format.
- Track revenue and expenditure against grant budget monthly.
- Perform any other lawful duties deemed necessary by the direct supervisor or Water For People Management.
COMPETENCIES:
Connect to Mission – Embrace the Water For People mission and work to align tasks to support mission; align own behavior with the needs or priorities of the organization and demonstrate commitment to the mission; show respect and composure, publicly admit mistakes and commit to learn
Manage through Ambiguity – Deal comfortably with uncertainty; effectively cope with change; can decide and act without having the total picture; balance thinking with action
Demonstrate Cultural Awareness – Understand and value different perspectives while looking for the common ground; recognize and respect diversity through words and actions; effectively interact, work, and develop relationships with people of various cultural backgrounds
Action-oriented – Set priorities and take action; have an unwavering commitment to delivering quality work products; recognize needs or opportunities to act; maintain an attitude of open, curious and proactive learning, continually expanding own area of understanding and expertise
Sense of Team – Create partnerships and effective working teams; consciously use the informal structures, dynamics and culture of an organization to get things done; actively share and seek input in decision-making from appropriate sources; show others how their objectives align with own, getting past individual bias; invest in building relationships with others .
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED
- Minimum of an upper second and or first class bachelor’s degree in water and sanitation engineering, civil engineering, water resource engineering or environmental engineering or related discipline.
- Minimum of 2 years’ work experience required
- Professional experience in international development institutions is an added advantage.
- Knowledge of the water and sanitation sector in the country is an added advantage.
- Strong computer literacy particularly in AutoCAD, ArcGIS, MS Word, Excel, Power point, and SPSS.
- Ability to lead and work as part of a team.
- Flexible, adaptable, and patient.
- Ability to plan own work, setting priorities and completing it under pressure or when faced with competing demands.
- Ability to communicate clearly both when speaking and writing in English and a distinction in Mathematics.
- Ability to develop innovative approaches to development problems.
- A commitment to Water for People Tanzania’s approach and values.
- Commitment to work in a team and supportive to other team members through ideas and skills.
- Commitment to learn from others and appreciation of others strength.
- A commitment to excellent documentation and dissemination of project experiences.
- Ability to work effectively in a sometimes-pressured environment.
- Ability to spend significant periods of time away from your workstation and travelling in remote and / or rural environments.
- Demonstrable analytical and conceptual skills to plan projects, timetable agreed activities and oversee activities.
OTHER RELEVANT SKILLS
- Possess expertise in relevant engineering software and applications.
- Engineering design, drawing preparation, and checking skills.
- Knowledge of the general principles, concepts, standards, and regulations/legislation related to design and implementation of structural/civil engineering works.
- General awareness of contract administration, management and claims assessment and evaluation.
- Communication skills
- Report writing skills.
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:
- Position is based at Water For People’s Tanzania office – District level – Mpwapwa District.
- Position requires regular field travel for work supervision and verification
Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.
Our commitment to protection of Children
Water For People is committed to protecting children encountered during our work and by our employees, preventing sexual abuse and exploitation of all individuals with a particular focus on women and children and other marginalized communities in the performance of our work, preventing human trafficking in the performance of our work and in our supply chain and to having a drug-free workplace. During the recruitment processes, additional documentation will be requested to comply with our policies and in accordance with the legal requirements in your country of residency, this includes a background check. If you apply for employment, we want you to be aware of our recruitment, selection, and hiring processes including important policies regarding employee conduct.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Water For People is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to creating a culture of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. Water for people strives to create and maintain alevel of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this—regardless of race, ethnicity, ancestry, tribal affiliation, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, veteran status, disability,socioeconomic class, educational attainment, Parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or other social identities is critical to our ability to have a world where every person has access to reliable and safe water and sanitation services.
Our commitment ensures that we:
- Have a different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.
- Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating each other with dignity, respect, and appreciation enabling us to feel welcome, supported, and valued.
- Effectively connect, communicate, and build long-lasting relationships with stakeholders within our diverse communities.
- Have diversity of thought, perspectives, backgrounds, identities, and talents that will support our mission to develop high-quality drinking water and sanitation services are available to Everyone Forever.
