Job Title: Water Supply Engineer- Isoko y’ Ubuzima Project

Duration: 6-month contract, with possible extension

Hiring Organization: Water For People

Reports to: Project Manager, USAID-funded Marburg Virus Disease WASH Response

Supervisor Duties: None

Duty of station: Kigali

JOB SUMMARY:

Water For People is an international non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services with a vision of a world where every person has access to reliable and safe water and sanitation services. With a shared passion for our mission, our values guide how we act and interact based on five core pillars:

• Collective Transformation: We believe in the power of collective
• Environmental Stewardship: We are committed to being responsible stewards of the environment.
• Integrity: We act honestly and transparently to inspire trust.
• Courage: We encourage brave exploration of new ideas and informed risk-taking.
• Amplify all Voices: By putting people first, celebrating diversity, and pursuing justice, we prioritize our shared humanity.

Isoko y’Ubuzima is a 5-year USAID-funded project implemented from July 2021 through July 2026 by a consortium led by Water For People to improve WASH service delivery. Other members of the consortium are IRC, Vitens Evides International (VEI), CARE International, and African Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE). The overall goal of Isoko y’Ubuzima is to improve access to sustainable water and sanitation services.

Under the USAID-funded Isoko y'Ubuzima project, Water For People may receive funds to implement targeted WASH intervention in response to Rwanda’s Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak. The $1 million project will focus on enhancing WASH infrastructure and promoting hygiene in healthcare facilities and public places to reduce MVD transmission. It is against this background that Water For People in Rwanda is recruiting a Water Supply Engineer with the following qualification and competencies:

The Water Supply Engineer reports to the Senior Water Supply Project Manager. He is responsible for all water technical aspects of the project.

Position Objective:

Under the responsibility of the Project Manager, the water supply engineer will oversee the implementation of the Water Supply and Sanitation infrastructure under the MVD response activities funded by USAID, ensuring the timely and effective execution of WASH assessments and infrastructure projects.

This role will require strong project management skills, collaboration with field staff, and compliance with USAID requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

Planning and coordination:

• Ensure a smooth implementation of detailed project work plans in line with the six-month response plan.
• Coordinate the assessment of WASH infrastructure and hygiene practices in health centers and public places across assigned districts.
• Work closely with the Isoko y’Ubuzima senior management team to ensure that construction, rehabilitation, and supply activities are delivered on schedule.
• Identify and monitor risks, constraints, or escalating issues, and inform the hierarchy accordingly.
• Represent the Isoko y’Ubuzima project externally and collaborate/coordinate with the Ministry of Health, local authorities, counterparts, partners, and stakeholders.
• Assist the procurement officer in developing bidding documents following Water For People Procurement guidelines and support for Tender Evaluation as deemed necessary;
• Support the procurement officer with water related contract management and recommendation for payments;
• Thoroughly document progress, success, and challenges, and report to the supervisor;
• Assist the Isoko y’Ubuzima team in the preparation of reports as they pertain to the project. Advocate for the implementation of a similar project in Rwanda, i.e., projects that involve all sector stakeholders to reach full and sustainable access to water and/or sanitation in a geographic area;
• Strengthen relationships with partner organizations, the local private sector, NGOs, government agencies, donors, bilateral and multilateral agencies that are related to the Isoko y’Ubuzima project;

Infrastructure Development

Under the leadership of the Program manager:

• Ensure that materials employed by contractors, approved by project supervising companies comply with accepted quality standards before they are used for the project;
• Oversee the construction of new handwashing facilities and the rehabilitation of existing facilities in health facilities and public places like markets, bus stations, and border posts to strengthen infection prevention and control.
• Coordinate with contractors and Isoko y’Ubuzima engineers to ensure that infrastructure meets quality and accessibility standards, including facilities for people with disabilities.
• Facilitate the development of operation and maintenance manuals for handwashing stations and sanitation facilities to increase their use and sustainability.

Program finance and advocacy:

• Manage the project’s budget, ensuring proper allocation across infrastructure, training, and community engagement activities.
• Work with the Finance Manager to prepare financial reports and ensure expenditures align with USAID guidelines and Water For People policies.
• Track and manage risks, providing timely updates to the Program Manager.
• Routinely review partners’ financial records and control procedures;
• Contribute to the representation of Water For People and represent the Isoko y’Ubuzima WASH Project in front of the local government authorities, donors, water and sanitation organizations in Rwanda, and Rwandan communities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations of Rwanda, the Isoko y’Ubuzima WASH project, and Water For People, and immediately report any irregularities to the direct supervisor;

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Ensure data collection and verification for all achievements to be made under the project implementation;
• Work with the Isoko y’Ubuzima MEL Manager to establish and maintain a project monitoring plan, tracking progress against objectives, including facility functionality, hygiene practices, and community engagement metrics.
• Conduct regular data quality assessments in collaboration with the MEL Manager.
• Document lessons learned and best practices to inform future WASH interventions and share insights with partners and stakeholders.
• Prepare narrative programmatic reports for the donor on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis.

Other Duties Coincidental to the Position

Duties for this position should not be considered definitive. Duties may be added, deleted or modified in consultation with the incumbent as necessary. Job descriptions and staff performances will be reviewed regularly.

Guidelines

The following written and unwritten guidelines will be applied to performing the duties of the post:

Written

• All Water For People policy on administration and others.
• Any established and agreed Country Program procedures.

Unwritten

• Common sense in applying proper business practice and sound purchasing principles.
• Know when to negotiate and how to achieve goals successfully.
• Maintain sound ethical principles, integrity, and transparency of due process.

COMPETENCIES:

• Connects to the Mission – Embraces the mission of Water For People and is passionate about advancing the dynamic role it plays leading social impact in international development.
• Demonstrates Ethics and Integrity – Understands ethical behavior and business practices and ensures that own behavior is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
• Manages through Ambiguity – Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in responding to change and ambiguity. 
• Demonstrates Cultural Awareness – Able to engage the wide range of stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.
• Action-oriented – Maintains an attitude of open, curious and proactive learning, continually expanding own area of understanding and expertise.
• Connects with Others – Listens and fosters open communication through questioning, dialogue, and information sharing.
• Self-confident – Demonstrates humility, mature confidence and courage to innovate, risk, and lead in own role.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Masters degree in Hydraulic, Civil Engineering, Environmental Sciences or any related fields or a bachelor’s degree in the above fields with at least five (5) years of working experience;
•  At least two (2) years of experience in water and sanitation infrastructure development
• Understanding of community-level water development, with at least two (2) years of experience;
• At least 2 years of experience working in an International NGO in Rwanda;
• Knowledge of the Rwandan administrative framework; 
• Experience in procurement, computer software usage such Arc GIS, AUTOCAD, and access to e-mails and internet services;
• Excellent organizational/logistic, communication, and interpersonal skills;
• Self-starter and ability to undertake projects and tasks without intensive supervision;
• Maintain sound ethical principles, integrity, and transparency of the due process;
• Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda. Knowledge of French would be an advantage.

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:

• This employment is conditioned upon Water For People’s receipt of funds from USAID.
• The position will be based in Kigali, Rwanda, with frequent travel to targeted districts, including Gasabo, Kicukiro, Nyarugenge, Kamonyi, Gatsibo, Kayonza, Nyanza, Ngororero and Nyagatare.
• Six-month contract, with potential for extension based on funding, need, and performance.
• Compliance with USAID and Water For People standards and policies.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Water For People is committed to protecting children encountered during our work and by our employees, preventing sexual abuse and exploitation of all individuals with a particular focus on women and children and other marginalized communities in the performance of our work, preventing human trafficking in the performance of our work and in our supply chain and to having a drug-free workplace. During the recruitment processes, additional documentation will be requested to comply with our policies and in accordance with the legal requirements in your country of residency, this includes a background check. If you apply for employment, we want you to be aware of our recruitment, selection, and hiring processes including important policies regarding employee conduct.

Water For People is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to creating a culture of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. Water for People strives to create and maintain a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this regardless of race, ethnicity, ancestry, tribal affiliation, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, veteran status, disability, socioeconomic class, educational attainment, Parental status, genetic information, political affiliation or other social identities is critical to our ability to have a world where every person has access to reliable and safe water and sanitation services.

Our commitment ensures that we:  

• Have a different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.
• Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating each other with dignity, respect, and appreciation enabling us to feel welcome, supported, and valued.  
• Effectively connect, communicate, and build long-lasting relationships with stakeholders within our diverse communities. 
• Have a diversity of thought, perspectives, backgrounds, identities, and talents that will support our mission to develop high-quality drinking water and sanitation services that are available to Everyone Forever.

• Safeguarding

Water for People is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees, volunteers and partners to share the same commitment. We believe every staff member, stakeholder and every member of the communities we work with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, discrimination, intimidation and exploitation - regardless of age, race, religion, and gender, status as an individual with a disability or ethnic origin. Water for People holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation, discrimination, exploitation, exploitation, abuse and harassment. Violations to stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of contract.

If you are interested and meet the requirements, apply through this link. Deadline is 15^th January 2025.

Note: Women are encouraged to apply.