Solar Water Farm Regional Technical Manager at GivePower

Your Role

• We design, build, operate and maintain a network of solar powered desalination systems called Solar Water Farms in Kenya. These systems provide communities access to clean, healthy affordable drinking water. These systems must be properly maintained and cared for in order to ensure they last their full 20-year lifespan while providing safe drinking water. The Solar Water Farm Regional Technical Manager will coordinate all aspects of GivePower’s Solar Water Farm operations in the assigned region in Kenya. This role needs a highly organized, skilled technician to keep all Solar Water Farms operating to their maximum capacity in a complex environment. Strict adherence to routine preventative maintenance schedules, rapid problem-solving skills, and determination to see a problem through to resolution are imperative.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure that all GivePower’s Solar Water Farms in the assigned regions are always operating at optimal performance
• Maintain and service all equipment in accordance with best practices
• Ensure all remote monitoring equipment is functioning properly
• Verify the Solar Water Farms produce water of quality that conforms to the WHO and/or KEBS drinking water standards at all times
• Propose solutions to repair, upgrade or enhance the Solar Water Farms
• Identify failure modes with remote monitoring equipment and propose solutions to enhance resilience and reliability of data pipelines.
• Advise the Director, Global Solar Water Farm Maintenance on all critical maintenance issues, scheduled or emergency shutdowns, or persistent issues.
• Work with site teams to fill in all site operating forms as required and that all forms are filled in appropriately and accurately.
• Monitor drinking water parameters including pH, TDS, and free chlorine and ensure they are always within prescribed limits.
• Maintain test records and calibrate test equipment to ensure accurate measurements can be taken on site.
• Submit regular reports to the Director, Global Solar Water Farm Maintenance on plant status, water quality issues, maintenance issues, and repairs.
• Procure replacement materials and parts as needed to ensure the smooth operation of Solar Water Farms.
• Catalog inventory of O&M tools, equipment, and replacement parts and ensure they are secured against theft.
• Train site staff in basic plant operations, repairs and preventative maintenance.
• Regular travel between plants in the assigned regions may be required including extended stays at Solar Water Farm locations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Minimum of a diploma in a technical field.
• Fluent in English and Swahili
• Intimate understanding of water treatment systems, maintenance, and design
• Knowledge of solar systems, inverters and battery systems.
• Highly focused on providing timely solutions and deliverables.
• Analytical mindset with a focus on root-cause analysis problem solving
• Thrive in dynamic environment, natural problem solver
• Maintain a positive can-do attitude, with growth mindset
• Strong project management and organization skills
• Experience working with multiple teams, preferably with remote teams
• Willingness to roll up your sleeves and make things happen
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Willing and able to travel nationally, as needed.