Adeso REGAL-IR Water Engineer Job in Garissa Kenya

Organization: Adeso - African Development Solutions 
 

Position Title: Water Engineer – REGAL-IR
 

Reporting to: TA Livelihoods Diversification
 

Working with: Other TAs , Project officers, M&E, Partners
 

Programme / Duty station: REGAL-IR / Garissa County, with frequent travel to Isiolo, Wajir, Marsabit and Turkana Counties
 

Duration: 6 Months
 

Starting date: Immediate
 

Organizational Context: Adeso is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. At Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. 

We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.
 

For the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. Currently, Adeso has programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan.
 

Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.
 

Project Summary: Resilience and Economic Growth in Arid Lands-Improving Resilience (REGAL-IR) is a 5-year program sponsored by USAID/Kenya and Feed the Future (FTF) to reduce hunger and poverty, increase social stability and build strong foundations for economic growth amongst pastoralists and transitioning pastoralists in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). 

The program is designed to empower communities to take charge of their development and to strengthen their capacity to select, design, implement and monitor activities toward increasing their social, economic, and environmental resilience to natural and human-induced shocks.
 

REGAL-IR is led by Adeso and is implemented by a consortium of partners. The project focuses on engaging communities and strengthening local institutions to improve their social, economic, and environmental resilience.
 

Position Purpose: In the REGAL-IR Project is working with pastoralists and ex-pastoralists to improve resilience through livelihoods diversification. 

Local communities in target areas have been mentored to take their own initiatives and explore opportunities for livelihoods diversification that include crop production in areas with crop production potential such as along the rivers and other water bodies across the counties.
 

Adeso is seeking a qualified and committed individual to join its team as a water engineer for livelihoods diversification, the REGAL- IR Program being implemented in Kenya. 

Based in the REGAL -IR program office in Garissa County, the Engineer will be a full time member of the REGAL IR Team reporting to the TA Livelihoods and will play a crucial role in the enhancement of diversification among pastoralists.
 

Specific Roles and Responsibilities
 

1. Map irrigation infrastructure

• In line with County Integrated Development Plans (CIDP) spear-head reconnaissance surveys and map potential irrigation sites in the five counties where REGAL IR is implemented, with initial focus being the potential areas in the project sites identified by farmer groups and other stakeholders.
• Based on the surveys and mapping results, conduct detailed investigations and data collection for new irrigation sites and develop irrigation schemes and suitable practices for adoption by county governments, local communities and REGAL-IR.
• In line with counties integrated development plans (CIDP) and community priorities, offer technical support to communities and line ministries in establishing irrigation schemes and infrastructure in the proposed potential areas.
• Conduct Environmental impact assessments for existing and new irrigation schemes and offer technical advice in line with regulations and standards of the responsible authorities such as WARDA, NEMA.

2. Rehabilitate irrigation infrastructure

• Support farmer groups improve the existing irrigation schemes and practices by offering technical advice and rehabilitation work with communities the existing irrigation scheme.
• Conduct technical investigations on existing irrigation infrastructure in the project sites and recommend suitable irrigation farm layout for each irrigation scheme and develop irrigation plans at individual farm level or community level.
• Ensure that the irrigation farm layout and plans as established have proper drainage systems, factoring in crop water coefficients
• Establish flood control systems in the selected irrigation schemes to ensure that crop damage is kept to a minimum in case of flooding.
• Support CBNRM stakeholders in the 5 counties in identification of, suitable water sources conduct technical feasibility of identified sources suitable water Plan, design and price identified water sources
• Train and support communities to conduct rehabilitation of the existing irrigation canals and other irrigation infrastructure using sustainable low costs improvement measures.
• Establish water and irrigation management committees within the CDAP implementing authorities and support them develop structures and systems of managing water uses at their respective irrigation schemes.

3. Monitoring and capacity building

• Support and build capacity of project staff to levels they can support farmers address basic farm irrigation challenges at farm level.
• Develop tools and mechanisms of monitoring irrigation activities by both the project officers and Monitoring and evaluation team to ensure that reporting is in line with USAID regulations and standards.
• Prepare Terms of reference, Bill of quantities, statement of works for consultancies and line ministries that will be occasionally engaged in engineering works for irrigation canals, water pans and other irrigation infrastructure.
• Support community’s acquire appropriate maintenance works, procure appropriate farm tools, equipment’s and materials for use in the maintenance of the irrigation infrastructure.
• Ensure effective project participation by the beneficiaries and local communities at all phases of the projects.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering, Environmental & bio-systems engineering, Water engineering and any other related field
• At least 4 years of technical expertise in irrigation, water and civil works
• At least 3 years of experience in construction of irrigation works in rural contexts, including construction of shallow wells and sand wells
• Knowledge of GIS and its application in irrigation design.
• Working experience in the project areas with agro pastoral communities is mandatory
• Experience working in a humanitarian or other international NGO
• Strong cross-cultural skills and experience
• A team player with good organizational and interpersonal skills

Deliverables

• Counties irrigation maps and recommended infrastructure
• Irrigation scheme Layouts and Irrigation management plans
• Environment Impact Assessment reports produced with relevant ministries
• Community trainings on practical irrigation Canal design and rehabilitation.

Application Process
 

This is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional. 

If you would like to join this dynamic team, please submit your application to jobs@adesoafrica.org, quoting the position in the email subject matter, by 20th June 2014.

Each application should be addressed to the Regional Human Resources Manager and include the following:

• An updated CV; and
• An application letter which should include remuneration requirements and contact information for three work-related referees.

Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

Adeso is an equal opportunity employer.