Irrigation Engineer

04 July 2024

About Action Against Hunger 

Action Against Hunger-USA is a global humanitarian organization that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger. We save the lives of malnourished children and we enable entire communities to be free from hunger. With more than 8,000 staff in over 50 countries, our programs reached 17+ million people yearly. 

About the Country Program in Ethiopia

Action Against Hunger has been operational in Ethiopia since 1984 responding to both chronic and acute needs through a multi-sectoral strategy where nutrition, Food Security and Livelihoods, WASH, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support activities are integrated to have a meaningful impact on people’s resilience. Action Against Hunger currently operates in 5 different regions (Oromia, Somali, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, and Gambella) with a portfolio of 20m USD/year of emergency, resilience building, research, and innovation programs. We have a country team of around 600 staff in 17 regional and satellite offices. Our main donors in Ethiopia in 2020/2021 are BHA, ECHO, Europaid, UNHCR, UNICEF, GFFO, BPRM, SIDA, EHF, WFP, CIAA, The Netherlands (Dutch) Government and others. 

1. Summary of position 

The irrigation engineer primarily responsible for providing technical oversight to all irrigation, agriculture and land use-related activities. These activities should be in line with government land use policies, Action Against Hunger’s strategic plan, and agriculture strategies aimed at strengthening the Food Security, livelihoods, Resilience, Recovery of the country through promoting and strengthening agricultural rural value chain activities. 

• Purpose 
• Engagement

The Irrigation engineer will prepare detailed river based engineering designs, produces bill of Quantities, TORs, and follow up day to day implementation of irrigation facilities like irrigation canals, Solar Panels, collection and chambers . The post closely supervises controls and guides contractors during construction of irrigation facilities and ensures high quality construction activities. S/he provides technical Advise on the technical/socio-technical diagnosis of irrigated agriculture production technologies and systems, and the design of appropriate irrigation and agronomic interventions.

Internal      

• Closely work with direct line manager – WASH Head of Department for technical support and advise;  and shares information and updates /progress with Food Security and Livelihoods Head of Department 
• Exchange of information, updates and consultation with Deputy WASH HOD, FSL- HOD, Roving WASH PMs and with WASH and Food Security and Livelihood Department colleagues 
• Collaborate and Closely work with functional departments [ Program and Operations ] at ACF 

External

• The Irrigation Engineer is responsible to have a meaningful engagement in WASH /agriculture/ food security coordination meetings ; 

Delivery 

• The Irrigation Engineer will organize construction of irrigation facilities for Agricultural purpose consistent with program objectives and building a reputation for quality design and reliable delivery in line government land use policies, Action Against Hunger’s strategic plan, and agriculture strategies and priorities.

1. Essential job duties

Objective 1 Plan, Implement, monitor, and report irrigation construction activities and facilities 

• Advise on the technical/socio-technical of irrigated agriculture production technologies and systems, and the design of appropriate irrigation and agronomic interventions.
• Schedule activities according to the project’s development period;
• Identify and anticipate problems or constraints ; 
• Prepare mapping of the irrigation facilities  implemented by AAH in the project area for better planning by using GPS 
• Prepare DIP, Detail BOQ, specification , engineering estimates of the Irrigation construction 
• Prepare/review designs, cost estimates and construction plans according to the standard and site condition in consultation with the WASH HOD and FSL –HOD. 
• Prepare tender documents , raise irrigation facility PLs,
• Assess and identify most appropriate and feasible irrigation solar pump type and size that is suitable for using Wabe sheballe river for irrigation purpose 
• Assist and supervise a consultant that undertakes and prepares river based irrigation design 
• Participate in identification and assessment of target sites and project locations as per the proposal 
• Identify local construction material sources and facilitate supplies.
• Supervise construction activities effectively with time and allocated budget according to the standard & the proposal.
• Ensure and check quality & quantity of construction materials, equipment’s and workmanship.
• Provide on-site technical assistance to contractors and consultants.
• Ensure safekeeping of construction materials, equipment’s and labour in collaboration with local authorities/communities.
• Calculate the work volume accomplished and prepare takeoff sheet & payment certificate for the executed construction work. 
• Take over completed irrigation facilities projects and hand over to community scheme management committees (CWMCs) and woreda authorities in collaboration with woreda stake holders and CWMCs
• Facilitate CWMCs,  irrigation facility maintenance crew, and Woreda Water office capacity building training
• Participate and facilitate on time implementation of irrigation facility functionality testing
• Facilitate and conduct visibility material preparation and installation at irrigation facilities
• Facilitate construction site hand over.

Objective 2: Contribute in the management of project and team 

• Ensure implementation of the activities defined by the project and the WASH HOD and FSL –HOD 
• Contribute to planning, implementation, support & follow-up of irrigation facility software activities [scheme management and maintenance committee training] 
• Assess and update project needs (financial, logistics) 
• Identify and anticipate problems or constraints 
• Propose solutions or improvements for better performance of the project

Facilitate the handing over of completed facilities to the target community and local authorities.

Objective 3: Contribute to internal and external coordination and representation

• Represent ACF in the field with local authorities and other stakeholders when needed
• Keep/document accurate project records with the required detail and quality
• Write weekly, monthly and periodic reports as requested by the WASH –HOD and FSL HOD 
• Regularly reporting an input to the WASH –HOD, FSL HOD on project performance and to Deputy WASH HOD and Deputy FSL HOD in the absence of the former two
• Participate in internal and external coordination meetings  when needed

1. Supervisory Responsibilities

• Not Available 

IV Gender Equality Commitments  

• Foster an environment that supports the values of women and men, and equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion. Race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect all cultures. 

V Fiscal Responsibility

• Support FSL Program managers in Budget follow up regularly and follow the utilization of allocated budget in a timely manner to ensure accurate and effective use of funds in compliance with Action Against Hunger and donor regulations
• Provide regular updates on financial utilization of irrigation facilities on BFU meetings on regular basis 

VI Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

VII Working Conditions, Travel, and Environment 

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.
• Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high-security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases. 

VIII Job Requirements

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• BSc Degree in Irrigation Engineering / Hydraulics/Water Resource/Civil Engineering with a minimum of 6 years of experience (NGO related experience is advantageous but not limited) in irrigation engineering program in development and emergency situations. 

Required Skills & Competencies

• Skills in engineering software (AUTOCAD, EPANET-2/WATERCAD and others/ is desirable 
• Detail knowledge on irrigation systems including drip irrigation system, and furrow irrigation standards, national policies and strategies on irrigation, solar powered water pump design
• Practical experience in drip irrigation and other irrigation engineering practices, designs, implementation and supervision, contract administration, construction supervision, managing contractors, reviewing irrigation feasibility assessments, 
• Very good communication skill with staffs and flexibility
• Good organizational skills 
• Excellent Computer skills (Word, Excel, outlook, power point, etc.).
• Ability to develop effective working relationships across a network
• Experience in the leading team, coaching, and mentoring and effectively working with partners; and Ability to interact and work effectively with others at all levels.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build high-performance teams in support of the achievement of organizational objectives.
• Strong skills in facilitation and negotiation; report and proposal writing skills 
• Working knowledge of the local language is a must [ Somali Language] 

How To Apply

APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

If you are interested, please send your application composed of none returnable CV, a cover letter with “Irrigation Engineer – Somali - Gode written in the subject line, and three references, through www.ethiojobs.net

Closing date: 15 July 2024

NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be communicated and the selection process includes a technical test and an interview.