Seeking a Team Player, Dedicated Problem-Solver Field Water Engineer in Innovation: Africa Zambia

Background

Innovation: Africa (iA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose team of dedicated problem solvers work together to bring solar and water technologies to rural communities in Africa. 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 950 solar, water, and agricultural projects, providing light, clean water, food and proper medical care to more than 4.2 million people in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, Cameroon, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly trained and qualified individual to join our Zambia team as a Field Water Engineer to be based in Chipata, and work in the various District of the Eastern Province. This position works under the supervision of the Country Managers and the Senior Engineer and is responsible for overseeing iA’s solar water pumping systems, technical implementation, liaison with local contractor and in-house engineers, as well as providing technical support in all sites post completion. The Field Water Engineer will also be involved in other 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

Local Country Manager  & Country Director

Responsibilities

• Oversee all field operations related to solar and water projects, including prospective project search, project construction/implementation, and monitoring and evaluation
• 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 technical point person for all system designs
• Manage on-site work during all stages of the system construction and installation
• Independently assess needs for maintenance work (post-installation) in projects where a malfunction exists
• Community technical trainings 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 Project Manager to manage relationships with municipal officers, local leaders, and international stakeholders.
• Send daily updates and regular progress reports to international management team regarding prospective projects, construction and implementation of current projects, and monitor existing projects.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a dedicated team-player with strong interpersonal skills who has a background in water engineering, community development and mobilization, and working with international stakeholders. The candidate must demonstrate a proven passion for working with the community and possess detail orientation and problem-solving skills.

Compensation

Commensurate with experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or professional diploma in Water Engineering or closely related field with an emphasis on water projects
• Master’s Degree an advantage
• At least 5 years’ experience working and overseeing water projects
• Experience supervising civil works in NGO community development projects
• Ability to design water systems using various design applications; e.g AutoCAD
• Technologically oriented with excellent computer skills, including proficiency in email and Microsoft Office software
• Driver’s license
• Ability to commit to flexible working hours
• High proficiency in English; both writing and speaking
• Ability to relocate to Chipata in Zambia
• Able to speak the local languages and with a good personality

As an international organization, our team works in New York, Israel, and Africa, and is constantly on the move. To maintain close contact despite our travel schedules, we regularly use technology solutions, such as Slack and Zoom. The ideal candidate thrives in this type of fast paced environment and is comfortable working with colleagues in different time zones and continents.