Water Engineer- Carbon Project at Northern Rangelands Trust

Job Purpose:

• NRT are the project proponents for the carbon project and are responsible for administering it and representing the carbon rights for several participating conservancies. Accordingly, we are looking for qualified candidates to fill the above position.
• Reporting to the WASH Manager, the Water Engineer will be responsible for providing technical support to the organization and community conservancies in delivering priority water development projects while taking consideration of environmental, legal/legislative and technical/compliance requirements.
• The role will support the WASH Manager to ensure that improved livelihoods are achieved across the NRT member community conservancies as a result of continued investment in water projects. This will be achieved through collaborations and partnerships especially with the County Governments and other stakeholders, in an accountable, professional, strategic, pragmatic, and innovative manner.

Key roles/Responsibilities:

• With support from the WASH Manager ensure an integrated and holistic approach to water development across the conservancies with environmental, technical, and financial sustainability built into the design and management of water supplies.
• Support the WASH Manager to supervise and coordinate the development of WRM strategies and linkages to the water development plans within the counties including policies and annual plans for the conservancies.
• Undertake the field work for water resource survey, assessment, and mapping in liaison with the GIS department for development of the conservancy WRM strategies and plans with community prioritization.
• Undertake technical and feasibility assessment of the community priorities for water infrastructure development and prepare comprehensive reports of the studies capturing legal aspects, hydrological and water resource analysis, environmental considerations, social and technical aspects etc.
• Undertake technical engineering survey, design work, BoQ’s development and all the necessary technical input with engineering reporting for the community priorities identified e.g., gravity and piped water projects, sand dams, water pans, rock catchments, boreholes, water treatment, desalination etc.
• With support from the WASH Manager undertake contract management for all the water projects developments across the NRT member community conservancies.
• Together with other technical departmental staff, undertake construction supervision for all the water development projects across the NRT member community conservancies to the highest professional standards and as maybe directed by the WASH Manager.
• With guidance from the WASH Manager, support the establishment and actualization of conservancy-based water governance models/structures to ensure sustainability of the water supplies established with links to the respective county governments and other development partners.
• Support all the conservancies to engage and coordinate all water projects including linkages to the county governments, fundraising, and following of the priorities in the WRM strategies.
• Support the establishment and strengthening of coordination and partnerships at the regional levels to enhance coordinated water developments that enhances the implementation of the conservancies WRM strategies.
• Support the engagement on registration of Conservancies as Water Resource Users Association (WRUA’s) and eventually oversee the transition with support from the NRT WASH Manager.
• Build capacity of the department technical staff on water supply engineering designs and all related skills for effective water development across the NRT member community conservancies.
• This to also include mentoring for registration with the relevant professional bodies.

Knowledge, experience, and qualifications required:
Academic & Professional Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (BSc) Civil Engineering/Water Engineering from a recognized university.
• Professional water courses from a recognized university/institution like IHE e.g. Rural water supply and management, Water Sanitation etc will be added advantage.
• Registration with Engineer’s Board of Kenya (EBK) and the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK).
• Memberships to other professional bodies e.g. NEMA Expert, Hydrological Society of Kenya, Geological Society of Kenya, Institution of Civil/Water Engineers etc will be an added advantage.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Civil 3D and/or other water design software e.g., EPANET, HECRAS.
• Proficiency in Arc GIS and its application in water supply will be an added advantage.

Experience required:

• Minimum of 6 years’ relevant experience working on water development projects or related natural resource management projects especially in arid and semi-arid areas.
• Working knowledge of relevant Kenyan legislation including the Water Act, Water Resources
• Management Rules, Water Resources Regulations, Environmental Management Co-ordination Act, National Construction Authority Regulations etc. is highly desired.
• Experience in working with people from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating respect for, and understanding of cultural differences.

Technical & Behavioral competences:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Sound analytical skills.
• Exceptional honesty and professional integrity.
• Ability to work in challenging environment and deliver on tight timelines.
• Excellent interpersonal, networking, negotiation, and facilitation skills.
• Sound organizational and presentation skills.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Willingness to live relatively remotely and to be able to travel for extended periods within Kenya, including camping (where relevant) within NRT member conservancies.