1. Project Background: 

The Scaling Up Nutrition Program is a cross-ministry and multi-donor program to reduce stunting in Zambia through implementation of the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) 1,000 Most Critical Days Program. SUN TA provides support and direct technical assistance to sub-national local government departments in target districts to plan, implement, coordinate, and monitor integrated nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific activities to reduce the rate of stunting among Zambian children under two and improve the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating mothers. USAID has identified two main objectives that address stunting, including (1) Adequate Quantity and Quality of Dietary Intake among Target Groups; and (2) Adequate Health Conditions for Biological Utilization of Nutrients. SUN TA interventions increase access and availability of safe, diverse, nutritious food; adoption of better child feeding and household hygiene practices; and access to improved health, water, and sanitation services. The project prioritizes sustainability by improving intra-household joint decision making and building the capacity of local government and their stakeholders to ensure coordination, accountability, and learning, following the Scaling Up Nutrition model.

2. Purpose:

As a member of the SUN TA team, the Rural Water Engineer will monitor and report on all in on all construction activities in support of SUN TA’s work increasing access to sanitation, safe water and hygiene at regional level. His/her thorough and service-oriented approach will ensure that the project consistently applies rigorous construction standards and constantly works towards improving stunting reduction for children under two.

She/he will support water development activities for the project, with specific attention to water point development and rehabilitation. Furthermore, the rural water engineer will be responsible for the coordination of QAQC personnel in their districts, including D-WASHE QAQC representatives and SUN TA borehole associates.  The rural water engineers will work closely with SUN TA district staff, notably the district managers and district technical officers (DTO) WASH.

3. Place of Performance and Reporting: 

The Rural Water Engineer reports directly to the Director of Infrastructure and are based in either Kabwe or Kasama with frequent travel to other districts.  The Rural Water Engineers form part of the regional team and such are under the Regional Managers administrative supervision.

4. Responsibilities and Tasks: 

• Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with SUN TA’s program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and assisting partners in their efforts to collect and analyze project data per specified mechanisms and tools. Collaborate with local partner(s) to prepare reports per established reporting schedule.
• Review District Water Needs Assessments ensuring accuracy and completeness of required information i.e. GPS coordinates for proposed water points, populations.
• Ensure collection of land tenure forms for proposed new boreholes.
• Conduct periodic spot checks on new borehole construction supervised by A&E firm to ensure adherence to quality and specification.
• Supervise and coordinate D-WASHE and SUN TA quality control oversight of borehole rehabilitation/reconstruction works
• Support in training the community committees such as VWASHEs in water facility management and community mobilization
• Oversee training of communities in the Operation and Maintenance strategies for rural water supply systems
• In liaison with relevant government partners, coordinate and participate in training of Area Pumps Menders, Care takers in the repair mechanism for boreholes
• Ensure that communities, GRZ partners and drilling subcontractors adhere and are fully comply to both the Water Quality Assurance Plan (WQAP) and Environmental Mitigation and Management Plan (EMMP)
• Provide technical oversight related to water sample collection protocols, coordinate test result verification
• Maintain tracking files for all borehole projects, including water test tracking, construction progress tracking, handover tracking, and post-handover maintenance and water testing.
• Complete project documentation for assigned activities.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Infrastructure.

5. Supervisory Responsibilities: 

The Rural Water Engineer will orient and supervise Borehole Associates.

6. Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Water, Civil, Hydrological or Environmental Engineering from an accredited college or university with 3 years’ experience required.
• Diploma in Water, Civil, Hydrological or Environmental Engineering from an accredited college or university with 5 years’ experience required.
• Min 3 years’ experience in the field of WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) with at least 2 years’ experience with a donor or implementing partner.
• A fully registered member of the Engineering Institute of Zambia
• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement desirable.
• Experience in monitoring construction projects required
• Experience in working with government partners preferable.
• Experience and knowledge of water sample collection and preservation protocols
• Experience in interpretation of engineering technical drawings
• Experience and proficiency in using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, Power-Point). Knowledge of MS Project is an advantage
• Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication, including the ability to interpret data in a clear and correct manner, for a wide range of stakeholders.
• Very strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups. Ability to work closely with local partners and community members is also needed
• Fluency in English is required

7. Key Result Areas 

• Coordinate and supervise borehole drilling and borehole rehabilitation work according to set guidelines and specification.
• Train communities in the Operation and Maintenance strategies for rural water supply systems
• Train Area Pumps Menders, Care takers in the repair mechanism for boreholes
• Provide documentation and track all borehole related activities as agreed with supervisor

8. Key Competencies for the Role 

• Problem solving
• Ability to influence stakeholders
• Written and verbal communication
• Compliance
• Accountability of stakeholders for performance
• Negotiation skills
• Detail oriented
• Leads by example to achieve results
• Analytical
• Planning and monitoring
• Risk Management
• Technical competence