Local recruitment: Invitations for Applications - Resident Engineer – Water Supply and Dams Construction Works

The Somaliland Development Fund – Phase 3 (SDF3) covers the period 2025-2028, with the possibility of a two-year extension. SDF3 aims to strengthen the climate resilience of vulnerable communities in Somaliland while creating increased income and job opportunities, thereby helping to reduce poverty. SDF3’s ambitions are aligned with NDP3 and reflect the priorities set out in Somaliland Vision 2030. SDF3 is funded with contributions from Denmark, Norway and the United Kingdom.

The SDF3 Joint Steering Committee has approved the Qool Caday Livestock Centre of Excellence (QLCE) project. The QLCE is designed to serve as a multifunctional centre for climate-smart livestock production, training, research, and livestock-related commercial services. The project includes rehabilitating 8,000 hectares of rangeland, which includes a 6,000-hectare drought reserve, and constructing water infrastructure, veterinary clinics, and demonstration farms. These interventions aim to improve livestock health, fodder availability, and water access, while promoting sustainable land management. The QLCE project is built around three strategic pillars: climate resilience, inclusive economic growth, and social inclusion.  The project includes three outputs as indicated below

Summary of the role

As part of the QLCE project, a water‑supply and surface‑water harvesting infrastructure will be implemented under Output 03. To support these works, the Project intends to recruit a Resident Engineer – Water Supply & Dams Construction Works to join the Project Management Team (PMT), in line with the approved proposal and the SDF3 Operational Guidelines (October 2025). The Resident Engineer will provide on‑site technical oversight of all water‑supply and haffir‑dam construction activities, ensuring they are delivered safely, in accordance with approved specifications and standards, and completed on time and within budget.

Key tasks summary

• Lead and coordinate all water‑supply and haffir‑dam construction activities, supervising two Site Engineers and ensuring effective oversight of all contractors.
• Oversee construction of haffirs and associated water‑infrastructure to ensure full compliance with approved designs, hydrological and geotechnical requirements, dam‑safety standards, and environmental safeguards.
• Manage contract administration, including issuing instructions, reviewing variations and claims, maintaining documentation, and certifying measurements and payments.
• Review and monitor contractor work programmes to ensure realistic sequencing and quality delivery, enforcing QA/QC through inspections, material testing, and verification of workmanship.
• Track daily progress, validate quantities, analyse deviations, and maintain accurate measurement, risk, and progress records.
• Uphold health, safety, environmental, and social standards across all water and dam construction activities.
• Prepare routine progress reports and final handover documentation, including commissioning records, as‑built information, and snag‑list closure.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Water Resources, Hydraulic, or Construction Engineering.
• Registration with a recognised engineering body.
• Excellent written and spoken English and fluency in Somali (mandatory).
• Proficiency in MS Project, Office, AutoCAD (preferably Civil 3D).

General Experience

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in civil engineering construction supervision in the water sector.
• At least 7 years in a Resident Engineer or senior supervisory role.
• Minimum 5 years interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, and contracts including hydrological, geotechnical, and topographical data across at least two construction projects using AutoCAD or similar software.

Specific Experience

• At least 7 years’ experience in water‑supply and hydrotechnical works (dams, haffirs, pipelines, pumping systems, solar pumping).
• Minimum 5 years in contract administration, IPCs, variations, and contractor supervision.
• Experience delivering at least three projects involving surface‑water harvesting structures, water storage facilities, or small‑to‑medium dams.
• At least 3 years implementing site Health and Safety protocols, dam‑safety, environmental and social safeguards.
• Minimum of 3 years track record in preparing technical reports, including daily/weekly site reports, monthly progress reports, IPCs and as‑built documentation.

How to apply

Interested candidates should send their application (cover letter and CV) to the Somaliland Development Fund Secretariat through e-mail jobs@sdf-secretariat.org. Candidates should indicate in their cover letter how they fit the criteria outlined in the advert. All applications must be received by 25 March 2026 at 1600hrs East African Standard Time. Applicants should clearly indicate the position they are applying for in the email subject line.

Any attempt by a candidate to influence the outcome of the recruitment process in any way which can be interpreted as canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification from being considered for this position.

This position is open to Somaliland candidates only.

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.