Water & Construction Engineer

With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 31,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

Local - Fixed Term Employee (Fixed Term)

Job Description:

To provide technical leadership in the design, implementation and monitoring of construction works for water supply systems, sanitation and hygiene, other construction infrastructure and multiple-use water initiatives, ensuring they are delivered on time, to quality standards and sustainably. The role contributes to wider water and sanitation coverage, better hygiene practices, community resilience, economic recovery and the sustained well being of children in line with SDG 6: to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

To do this, the job holder must be a professional who can communicate World Vision’s Christian ethos effectively and whose spiritual life sets a good example to others

Please Note: World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization with a mission centred on following Jesus Christ in service to the world´s most vulnerable children. Therefore, in all locations to the fullest extent legally permissible, the successful applicant will affirm our core documents, observe conduct compatible with Christian principles, serve at a high level of professional ethics, and strive to act in accordance with cultural sensitivities. Furthermore, regular attendance with team and office devotions, chapel, and prayer gatherings are expected in line with policies in the World Vision host location and its departments.

Job Responsibilities

Project Design, Management, Coordination and Compliance

• Apply the QA/QC Plan on every project, from feasibility to commissioning
• Contextualize and adopt the Integrated WASH technical guidelines and designs.
• Ensure timely, quality implementation of WASH projects, other construction infrastructure and multiple-use water initiatives in the cluster area.
• Carry out feasibility studies, water resource mapping, EIA support and technical designs for WASH and construction projects as needed.
• Facilitate topographical surveys and GIS activities, including documenting and submitting the reports.
• Prepare tender documents (technical specifications, drawings, bills of quantities and terms of reference) as needed.
• Support the development of technically sound funding proposals and concepts by providing information and data and reviewing drafts with ADP Managers and other sector specialists.
• Help communities identify viable WASH, health and construction projects, negotiate wayleaves and easements, and take part in implementation.
• Give effective, innovative WASH technical support to other programmes so that integration brings synergies, efficiency and greater impact.
• Ensure WASH business processes, standards and guidelines are applied when implementing WASH and construction initiatives (100% adherence).
• Lead the development and implementation of water safety plans and disaster risk management plans for water supply projects.
• Give guidance on environmental protection and conservation, such as watershed management and reforestation.

Construction Supervision and Contract Administration

• Supervise the construction and rehabilitation of water supply works. Monitor progress, methods and workmanship, and keep a daily site diary that includes the weather.
• Organize inspection and control of survey and setting out (through the survey team) and of excavated levels. Supervise the Senior Surveyor in checking the contractor’s proving survey, and make sure the contractor maintains design levels for the permanent works.
• Run the approval system for site clearance, earthworks, water supply lines and general items, working with surveyors and the laboratory to ensure the works meet specifications.
• Carry out formal inspections of works submitted for approval, sign approvals on Approval Request Forms, and keep a computerized summary of submissions and results.
• Be present for all concrete pours. Monitor the quality and use of all materials in the main works, and cross-check test results against the correct approval requests.
• Point out mistakes to the contractor’s supervisor, and issue a written Site Advice if unacceptable workmanship continues. Report all problems and defects promptly.
• Measure and agree approved site clearance, earthworks and general items. Keep measurement records for all aspects of the works, and produce data for cost control and estimated final quantities.
• Prepare payment certificates. Carry out final measurement as the project progresses, and produce an agreed measurement for the works.
• Carry out design duties as required: mark up contract drawings with variations made during construction, and feed site details into the as-built records.
• Monitor the contractor’s progress using Microsoft Project. Collect and analyze data on how the contractor uses plant.
• Prepare daily reports (in the standard format), weekly reports and monthly progress reports, including daily reports on how materials and plant are used

Capacity Building and Community Empowerment

• Build the capacity of SMEs, CBOs and Water User Committees to manage WASH facilities where there is no regulated water service provider to take over.
• Build the capacity of WASH staff (WASH and sanitation officers) and communities to plan and implement WASH and construction projects sustainably.
• Prepare and run training for Water User Associations so they can manage their own water supply systems under the approved rural water management models, for better governance and sustainability.
• Support the preparation and delivery of WASH promotion training sessions.

Quality Assurance, Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation

• Supervise and monitor water, sanitation, hygiene and construction interventions in strict adherence to WV Kenya, Government of Kenya, WHO and Sphere standards.
• Develop project designs and annual operation plans (4D matrices, DIPs and annual budgets).
• Keep budget use within the acceptable range.
• Ensure monthly data collection is participatory, involves communities and partners, and uses the standardized tools.
• Contextualize and apply reporting guidelines. Produce quality monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual and end-of-project reports that meet donor and WV Kenya requirements.
• Document and share success stories, lessons learnt and best practices from WASH projects in the ADP.
• Facilitate regular WASH and construction review meetings for the WASH team, and take part in ADP review meetings.
• 100% of completed projects are reported in mWater.

Advocacy, Strategic Partnerships, Linkages and Networks

• Represent WV Kenya in key WASH and construction stakeholder forums and meetings at ward and sub-county levels.
• Partner with the county government and other development partners to implement service models and leverage resources for building WASH projects.
• Educate communities on the laws, policies and standards for WASH and construction service delivery.
• Support community-led monitoring of public service delivery.
• Mobilize communities to take part in their WASH projects.
• Take part in and contribute to committees and task forces you are appointed to

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE

Required Professional experience

• 3–7 years’ experience in engineering project design, proposal writing, needs assessments, surveys and construction of WASH infrastructure.
• A minimum of 4 years of INGO field experience, including 3–5 years in sanitation and hygiene programming and implementation models.
• Proven experience in relief or development programming, including managing a large-scale community-based water project, with evidence of successfully implementing similar projects.
• Good understanding of contract management for civil engineering works.
• Ability to conduct community WASH needs assessments and to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate WASH activities.
• Good understanding of rural water supply management, including operational efficiency, smart metering, operation and maintenance (O&M) and sustainable service models.
• Strong expertise in Disaster Risk Management and water safety plans for WASH projects, including water quality testing, monitoring and reporting.
• Experience implementing integrated development programs with a focus on health.
• Experience in water resource management, environmental protection and conservation is an added advantage.
• Expertise in building collaboration and partnership agreements with development partners, county governments and communities in WASH interventions.
• Ability to engage at a strategic level with senior government, UN and INGO officials at county and national levels.
• Strong budgeting and financial management skills.
• Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to prepare concise and accurate reports and documents in English.
• Ability to use computer software to develop and maintain spreadsheets and databases.
• Ability to work in multisectoral and multicultural teams across the organization with patience, cultural sensitivity and contextual understanding.
• A mature and committed Christian, able to stand above denominational diversities.
• Willingness to travel to the field as needed

Required Education & Certification

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering/Water Engineering and a minimum of 3 years hands-on experience.
• HND in Civil Engineering/Water Engineering and a minimum of 7 years hands-on/relevant experience.
• Excellent written and spoken English is essential
• Registration with EBK/KETREB as graduate Engineer as minimum will be an added advantage.

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

• Knowledge and appreciation of World Vision International (WVI) working systems, policies, standards, vision, mission and core values.
• Good experience in construction project design and management; understanding of FIDIC contracts is an added advantage.
• Knowledge and practical application of AutoCAD, ArchiCAD and GIS.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office and Microsoft Outlook.
• Excellent English communication skills, both oral and written.
• A team player able to build staff and community capacity in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects through training.
• A team leader who takes initiative and can work with minimal supervision.
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and emotional maturity, with the ability to maintain performance expectations in diverse cultural contexts

Note that World Vision Kenya:

• Has not outsourced its recruitment process to any organization or agency that, through website postings, e-mail messages, newsletters or otherwise, claim to be doing recruitment on its behalf.
• Does not solicit money for any part of its recruitment processes including short-listing, interviews, or medical checks.
• Will not be responsible for such fraudulent correspondence or any loss of money or theft, which may result from anyone engaging in such recruitment activity.
• Victims of such fraudulent correspondence may wish to report it to law enforcement authorities.

 World Vision Kenya is part of the Inter-Agency Scheme for the Disclosure of Safeguarding-related Misconduct in Recruitment Process within the Humanitarian and Development Sector and all candidates will thus be screened as appropriate for any safeguarding related misconduct

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local Applicants Only