Innovation: Africa
Seeking Hard-Working, Dedicated Problem-Solver
Senior Engineer Field Manager in Malawi
Innovation: Africa
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 600 solar, water, and agricultural projects, providing light, clean water, food and proper medical care to more than 3 million people in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, Cameroon, Senegal, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Job Summary
We are seeking a highly trained and qualified individual to join our Malawi team as Senior Engineer Field Manager, based in the District of Zomba. The Senior Engineer Field Manager is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing iA’s solar water pumping systems, as well as completing maintenance and providing technical support to our team of engineers comprising of hydrologists, water, civil, and electrical engineers.
Further, the Senior Engineer will be required to coordinate and support all water-related field activities. This includes identifying and selecting our project beneficiaries, actively facilitating community mobilization and sensitization, establishing and maintaining regular communication with the communities we serve, implementing project-related activities and providing regular reports and ongoing monitoring of the projects. This position requires frequent travel to the field in order to manage all stages of iA’s solar water pumping systems.
Reports To
Program Manager in Malawi and Country Director in Malawi/Israel
Responsibilities
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Manage iA’s team of local engineers, including supporting weekly work plans and ensuring their successful implementation.
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Oversee all engineering operations related to water projects, including drilling, mapping and design, project construction/implementation, solar installation and monitoring and evaluation.
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Supervise the on-site work of iA contractors, including hydrogeological surveys, drilling and pump tests, water quality analysis, and all construction and installation works related to ongoing water projects.
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Ensure contractors’ strict adherence to all project timelines, and provide Program Manager, Country Director and Deputy Country Director with daily updates and reports on progress.
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Serve as technical point person for all system designs, water tower construction works, water distribution point construction, structural design analysis and approving materials used during construction.
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Support and supervision of the project design process – Epanet, KMZ, TDH designing
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Assessment of a community’s water needs and calculation of available water supply to properly size the system’s submersible water pump.
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Scheduling and managing our third-party inspections.
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Support to Program Manager and Deputy, including finding new contractors and negotiating project BOQs and strategizing yearly goals.
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Assess the need for maintenance work on existing water projects, identify faults and malfunctions, and provide sustainable solutions.
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Procure and source invoices of all approved system components to ensure organizational transparency and identification of reliable vendors with high quality, cost effective, items.
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Create competitive construction and maintenance budgets on Microsoft Excel using procured invoices.
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Conduct community technical trainings and sensitization to all iA water beneficiaries on water management for water and agricultural use.
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Maintain regular contact with iA’s engineers in Israel to successfully implement and monitor new solar water technologies and remote monitoring systems.
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Research and implementation of best construction practices and equipment in all iA projects.
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Support Program Manager to establish and manage relationships and communication with local, national, and international stakeholders.
Qualifications
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The ideal candidate is a passionate and effective team leader, with a minimum of 6 years of managerial experience, preferably working with international teams.
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Possess at least 6 years of experience managing the successful design, construction and installation of solar water pumping systems.
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Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills and a proven commitment to serve vulnerable communities.
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Professional experience working in the field of community development and exhibit detail orientation and problem-solving skills.
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Thrives in a fast-paced environment and is comfortable working with colleagues in different time zones and continents, using WhatsApp, Skype, and Zoom at flexible hours.
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Proven ability to inspire teams and lead by example.
Compensation
Commensurate with experience.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree or professional diploma in Water Engineering / Civil Engineering or closely related field with an emphasis on solar water projects, Master’s Engineering Degree preferred.
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At least 6 years’ experience working and overseeing water projects, specifically solar water pumping systems in rural settings.
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Experience supervising civil works in NGO community development projects.
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Ability to design water systems using various design applications, such as AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, GIS and GPS applications, WaterCAD, Epanet, Protastructure, etc.
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Proficiency of Epanet is a mandatory requirement as all water systems are designed with this platform
- Borehole drilling or any relevant experience is a strong advantage.
- Technologically oriented with excellent computer skills, including proficiency in email and Microsoft Office software.
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Driver’s license and off-road driving experience.
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Ability to commit to flexible working hours, including some weekends.
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Ability to relocate to Zomba.
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High proficiency in English; both writing and speaking.
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Able to speak Chichewa fluently.
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.
Meth0d of Application
Please send your cover letter and CV as a single PDF attachment to [email protected] . Please make the file name your full name. Kindly note that we can only accept applications in pdf format.
Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.