Water Officer at Care International
(REF: WO/2/2014).
Based in Dadaab
Reporting to the WASH Coordinator, the Water Officer will be responsible for ensuring the existence of an efficient and effective water supply system in the project and inspect & monitor the water supply & maintenance of the reticulation system with a view to ensuring minimal water flow interruptions during the water supply period in the respective refugee camps.
Job Summary & Purpose:
Reporting to the WASH Coordinator, the Water Officer will be responsible for efficient and effective water supply system in the respective camp, inspect and monitor routine water supply and maintenance of the reticulation systems to ensure minimal or no water interruption within water supply time, responsible for general supervision of boreholes drilling, construction, equipping and commissioning process; this includes ensuring that the specific contract items contained in the contract are strictly adhered to.
Carry out assessment of boreholes behavior, aquifer monitoring and report to WASH Coordinator for any alarming scenario for quick action. Provide accurate production record and interpretation for the same.
Tasks and Responsibilities.
Maintenance of Water Pipelines and Applied apptenances
- Ensure smooth running and uninterrupted water reticulation system all round.
- In collaboration with other team members, give relevant technical extension information to the tap stand monitors/WASH committees to ensure proper use and prudent management of tap stands and related installations.
- In consultation with master plumber, prioritize the work for the day to ensure minimum water interruption and distribution supply hours.
- Project planning for construction activities and water pipeline installation in the respective camp.
- Coordination of project activities at field or camp level
- Approval of work done by the contractor or sub contractors.
- Daily and weekly updating the WASH coordinator on the work progress in the respective camp.
Project Implementation and Supervision
- Schedule and prepare work plans for field activities in consultation with the WASH Coordinator.
- Prepare job contracts, supervise work and process payments upon job completion and submit to the supervisor.
- Approve and ensure proper handling and utility of sector resources in the camp.
- Monitor material stock levels, and advice the WASH Coordinator for timely and appropriate procurement/deliveries.
- Guide the implementation of WASH Sector strategy at camp level including service extensions.
- Routine office and staff administration, including regular staff meetings and briefings.
- Ensures that standards and specifications for works and materials deliveries are adhered to and gives recommendation(s) to the management as necessary, including certification of completed works for payments.
- Supervision of contractor engaged by CARE to ensure work is done as per drawings, technical specification and to the highest quality standard.
- Supervise the construction and rehabilitation of water supplies interventions in strict adherence to the Kenya government regulations, WHO and the SPHERE standards.
- Capacity building of staffs and communities in programming and implementation of PHE projects.
Water Resources Management & Development
- Assessment of day today behavior and operation of boreholes, checking for signs for preventive maintenance.
- Carrying out of aquifer monitoring procedures and tests and the interpretation of step draw-down, recovery rates and thereby come up with appropriate actions for remedy and sustainable exploitation of ground water resources.
- Capacity built the staff and other water users on the need to conserve water by using methods geared towards the general environmental conservation.
- Sensitize the staff on environmental impact assessment (EIA) issues and the mitigating factors, so that our operations as an implementing agency can meet the minimum standards as set up by the water resources management authority, national environment management authority (NEMA), and in conformity with the water Act 2000, laws of the republic of Kenya.
- Interpretation of the geological survey report before and during the drilling process and guiding the drilling contractor accordingly.
- Ensure sample collection, labeling, storage, and litho logical logging during drilling, designing the borehole casing string, test pumping for all new boreholes.
- The incumbent will ensure the drilling process is carried out in a professional manner with respect to the drilling tools, drilling foams and/or other drilling media, borehole uniformity and verticality.
- Acquisition of aquifer data and hence design of the borehole on the basis of this data as well as the drilling logs obtained during the drilling process.
- After the in depth analysis of abstraction rates, aquifer data, recommend boreholes for rehabilitation, development and upgrading where necessary.
- After the supervision of test pumping procedures to completion, analyses the data and thereby come up and recommend a suitable capacity rated submersible pump and generation set, for water production installation.
Collaboration, Liaison and Networking
- Promote continuous involvement of the refugee community in sector work at task execution levels.
- Assist community to identify training needs.
- Liaison with sector counterparts in other camps and DMO, as well as with other sectors and sister agencies within the camp, in execution of sector and project work.
Reporting
- Prepare monthly and circumstantial reports and submit to the supervisor.
- Participates in writing sector monthly sitrep reports and the weekly highlights.
Authority:
- Spending Authority: N/A
- Supervision: Supervises 2 Master Plumbers
- Decision Making:
- Recommend for disciplinary action or reward for direct supervisees.
- Certification of completed jobs/works for purposes of preparation of payments to vendors/contractors.
Contacts/Key Relationships:
- External: UNHCR field staff, community leaders.
- Internal: WASH staff, Camp Administrator.
Working Conditions:
The position is based in Dadaab or Dagahaley/Ifo camps as well as any other extension camps and program sites.
This is a non-family working station. Hot weather is prevalent throughout the year with limited basic amenities.
Road movement between work station and Garissa as well as inter-camp movement must be under police escort (scheduled convoys), with strict adherence to security instructions all the time.
It is a six days work station with a compensatory time off according to CTO policy.
The incumbent shall reside in the CARE compound while executing official duties and shall obey and adhere to residential compound regulations.
Qualifications, Experience and Competencies:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Water/Public Health Engineering with 2 years experience.
- Diploma holder in the same field with five (5) years proven experience will be considered.
- Experience: experience in working/programming in either relief or development including managing a large scale Community based water project with evidence of successful implementation of similar projects will an added advantage.
Competencies:
- Good communication skills.
- Teamwork; excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work without supervision
- Management skills
- Leadership skills
- Excellent analytical skills
- Ability to prepare project reports
- Proficient in use of Microsoft office packages
Applications
If you feel you meet the requirements for any of these positions, send your application letter indicating the reference number, title of the position along with an updated CV and telephone contacts of three professional referees to: The Human Resources & Development Manager, CARE International in Kenya, Email: Vacancies@care.or.ke so as to be received not later than 14th February , 2014. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
CARE is an equal opportunity employer and promotes gender equity. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.
CARE International in Kenya does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. (Application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
