Title: Water Supply Engineer

Duration: One year with the possibility of renewal

Department: Water For People _ Isoko y’Ubuzima WASH

Supervisor’s title:  Strategic Objective 2 Team Leader

Organizational context:

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 in developing countries. The organization strives to continually improve, experiment with promising new ideas, and leverage resources to multiply its impact.

Water For People is currently operating in 9 countries including Rwanda where Water For People is supporting WASH in the Districts of Rulindo, Kicukiro, Gicumbi, and Karongi.

Water For People has secured funds from the USAID to finance the Isoko y’Ubuzima WASH project that will operate in 10 Districts of Rwanda from 2021 to 2026.

1.    Background and position objective: 

The Water Supply Engineer reports to the Strategic Objective 2 Team Leader. He/She is responsible for all water technical aspects of the project.

2.    Major responsibilities and duties:
2.1    Isoko y’Ubuzima WASH project-specific programmatic duties:

• Support Isoko y’Ubuzima Districts to develop tools to improve WASH services
• Creating detailed water engineering designs in collaboration with program partners and refining DIPs and FLCC tools and train officials on the use of these tools
• Assist DWOs in regularly monitoring and using DIPs
• Support the Districts in developing criteria for new DWASHB members to reflect GESI representation
• Participate in identifying and promoting community groups to manage water systems as Private operators and ensure that their managerial capacity is strengthened
• Participate in the training and mentoring district DWOs to build an effective O&M plan for efficiently managing water systems and improving inclusive access using suitable tools
• In collaboration with WASAC and Districts, provide training to district staff and POs on MININFRA’s pump functionality monitoring and reporting framework to improve PO performance and reduce pump repair costs.
• Work with private water operators to gain a better knowledge on water service reliability and water business viability;
• Assist the procurement officer in developing bidding documents following Rwanda Procurement guidelines and support for Tender Evaluation as deemed necessary;
• Support the procurement officer with contract management and recommendation for payments;
• Thoroughly document progress, success, and challenges, and report to the supervisor;
• Assist the Isoko y’Ubuzima team in the preparation of reports as they pertain to the project.  Advocate for the implementation of a similar project in Rwanda, i.e., projects that involve all sector stakeholders to reach full and sustainable access to water and/or sanitation in a geographic area;
• Strengthen relationships with partner organizations, the local private sector, NGOs, government agencies, donors, bilateral and multilateral agencies that are related to the Isoko y’Ubuzima project;
• Ensure that materials employed by contractors, approved by project supervising companies comply with accepted quality standards before they are used for the project;

2.2    Program finance and advocacy:

• Contribute to the proper financial management of the Isoko y’Ubuzima Project by ensuring that administration and finances related to the project follow the country’s procedures;
• Participate in financial reviews, external and internal audits;
• Ensure that the project’s components under your responsibility are kept within its budget allocation;
• Routinely review partners’ financial records and control procedures;
• Contribute to the representation of Water For People and represent the Isoko y’Ubuzima WASH Project in front of the local government authorities, donors, water and sanitation organizations in Rwanda, and Rwandan communities.
• Attend different coordination meetings called by the government, Water Sector Working Group, and other partners as it relates to Isoko y’Ubuzima Project.
• Ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations of Rwanda, the Isoko y’Ubuzima WASH project, and Water For People, and immediately report any irregularities to the direct supervisor;

3.4    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;
• Connecting and facilitating relationships between donors and helping donors connect more deeply to WFP through various opportunities;
• Drive and support the grant management process, working with donor relationship managers, 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 expenditures against grant budget every quarter.
• Perform any other lawful duties deemed necessary by the SO2 Team Leader or Water For People Management.

3.    Competencies:

Connects to the Mission – Embraces the mission of Water For People and is passionate about advancing the dynamic role it plays in leading social impact in international development.

Demonstrates Ethics and Integrity – Understands ethical behavior and business practices, and ensures that own behavior is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.

Manages through Ambiguity – Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in responding to change and ambiguity.

Demonstrates Cultural Awareness – Able to engage a wide range of stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.

Action-oriented – Maintains an attitude of open, curious, and proactive learning, continually expanding own area of understanding and expertise.

Connects with Others – Listens and fosters open communication through questioning, dialogue, and information sharing.

Self-confident – Demonstrates humility, mature confidence, and courage to innovate, risk, and lead in own role.

4.    Job Qualifications

• Masters degree in Hydraulic, Civil Engineering, Environmental Sciences or any related fields or a Bachelor’s Degree in the above fields with at least five (5) years of working experience;
•  At least two (2) years of experience in the water and sanitation area
• Understanding of community-level water development, with at least two (2) years experience;
• At least 2 years of experience working in an International NGO in Rwanda;
• Knowledge of the Rwandan administrative framework;
• Experience in procurement, computer software usage, and access to e-mails and internet services;
• Excellent organizational/logistic, communication, and interpersonal skills;
• Self-starter and ability to undertake projects and tasks without intensive supervision;
• Maintain sound ethical principles, integrity, and transparency of the due process;
• Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda.  Knowledge of French would be an advantage.

Note:   This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.