Project Associate (WASH Engineer)

Job Description

About the Company

Company Description

Amref Health Africa was founded in 1957 and has since grown to become the largest African-based international health development organization, currently implementing more than 180 programs, reaching more than 40 million people across 35 African countries, and a staff complement of over 2,000. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Amref Health Africa has offices in ten African countries – Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea (Conakry), Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. An additional eleven advocacy and fundraising offices are located in Europe and North America.

Amref Health Africa is driven by its vision of ‘Lasting health change in Africa’ and its mission ‘To catalyse and drive community-led and people-centred health systems while addressing social determinants of health.’ We believe that the power to transform Africa’s health lies within its communities and therefore strive to ensure that health systems are not only functional but communities are empowered to hold these systems accountable for delivering of quality and affordable health care.

Job Summary

To support the WHEEL project, under the Population Health & Environment (PHE) department to plan, design and implement water, sanitation and hygiene hardware interventions in Kilifi County.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Technical Expertise & Support

• Support in supervision of construction works
• Develop technical designs, bill of quantities and tender documents and coordinate with relevant government bodies (NEMA, Department of Public Works, WRA and Department of Health) for approval and licensing.
• Build technical capacity of artisans. 

Monitoring, Evaluation, & Innovation

• Conduct needs assessment, site selections, and technical feasibility studies using appropriate tools and criteria.
• Iteratively seek out climate-smart WASH innovations.
• Develop tools for monitoring quality standards.
• Facilitate quarterly technical visits for the M&E officer/ department.
• Conduct routine monitoring and supervision of hardware projects to ensure adherence to protocols, approved blueprints, plans and bill of qualities; and to gain insights on what can be improved.
• Participate in periodic reflection meetings and support supervision activities to ensure project progress and quality standards.
• Participate in project implementation activities beyond engineering for professional experience and growth in WASH programming.
• Prepare relevant reports on assessment reports, water quality, feasibility and others.

Educational Qualifications, Skills, and Experience Required

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Civil engineering; Mechanical or Construction), or a related field.
• At least 1-2 years of experience in the WASH Sector. 
• Construction management for multiple concurrent sites.
• Exposure to work in a medium to large NGO setting is an added advantage.
• Good understanding of Microsoft Office Tools.
• Innovative problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Excellent use of engineering software (Auto CAD).
• Effective and empathic communicator.
• Ability to deliver quality work with minimal supervision.
• Hard working and results oriented.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Able to work with cross-functional teams.
• Effective planning and coordination.

Environmental Conditions

Social-Cultural Context

• The job requires a deep understanding of socio-cultural context of communities living in the Kenyan Coast for successful project implementation.

Environment

• Normal office environment at the workstation. Extensive field work in the hot and sunny climate of Kilifi County. Travel beyond project area (Kilifi County) is minimal.

Hours of Work

• Under special circumstances, the job holder may be required to work outside normal work hours.

Additional Information

Your application should include a cover letter detailing why you are the best fit for this position and your CV with relevant skills and experience. Closing date will be Monday 5th May 2025.

Amref Health Africa does not require applicants to pay any money at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process and has not retained any agent in connection with recruitment. Although Amref may use different job boards from time to time to further spread its reach for applicants, all open vacancies are published on our website under the Vacancies page and on our official social media pages. Kindly also note that official emails from Amref Health Africa will arrive from an @amref.org address.

Amref Health Africa is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Amref Health Africa is is dedicated to diversity and is an equal-opportunity employer with a non-smoking environment policy.