Irrigation Engineer 44 views1 applications

The Organization: CEFA (The European Committee for Agricultural Training) is an Italian Non-Governmental Organization established in 1972 and active in 10 Countries in Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. CEFA’s medium- and long-term interventions in the agricultural, environmental, and human rights sectors are focused on the sustainable development of the communities, achieved by involving local counterparts and promoting the active participation of the beneficiaries.

Duty Stations: 60% Bosaso and 40% Garowe, Puntland, Somalia

Expected Starting Date: 10th of February 2021

Contract Duration: 11 months (renewable)

Objectives of the position: CEFA is implementing a 4 years project funded by IFAD (International Fund For Agricultural Development) and AICS (Italian Agency for Development Cooperation) on food security to support rural development of the agricultural and livestock value chains in Puntland. The project includes an Irrigation component focused on the construction and rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructures for date palm farming, with a specific focus on the introduction of climate-smart technologies. We thus require an Irrigation Engineer to coordinate and oversee the irrigation activities, including the supervision of external consultants and contractors.

Main Duties: The Irrigation Engineer will be responsible for the supervision of the construction and rehabilitation works envisioned by the project, as well as the proposed design for the construction/rehabilitation of the irrigation infrastructures (springs and canals rehabilitation, installation of solar pumping systems, adoption of localized irrigation systems for date palm farming, etc). The Irrigation Engineer will also coordinate and deliver training sessions to the project beneficiaries on irrigation-related topics, under the supervision of the Water and Irrigation Expert in Nairobi.

Detailed Responsibilities:

• Support the Area Manager, the Field Coordinator, and the Water and Irrigation Expert, in planning and scheduling all the irrigation activities;
• Support planning and scheduling of training delivery on water management and irrigation related topics;
• Support preparation and updating of training and learning materials;
• Facilitate and supervise training delivery on sustainable irrigation techniques and irrigation management, ensuring good technical quality to the training sessions;
• Design of civil works for construction/rehabilitation of sustainable irrigation systems for date palm and vegetable farming;
• Supervision of all construction and rehabilitation works (construction and/or rehabilitation of tanks/reservoirs, wells/boreholes, springs and canals, localized irrigation and pipeline systems)
• Preparation of BOQ for civil works, supporting the preparation of tender documents and the evaluation of bids n collaboration with the procurement committees;
• Control and record construction material delivery, storage, and usage at the construction sites, to verify and confirm their quantity and quality;
• Ensure high-quality of all the irrigation works during the realization of the project, by ensuring designs and specifications are followed by the contractors
• Participation and collaboration with the community leaders to sensitize and mobilize the communities and signing of MOUs with relevant parties;
• Conduct regular meetings with the community stakeholders (elders, village leaders, farmer associations’ representatives, camp committees) on the advancement of the project and the irrigation works;
• Conduct regular field visit to the project pilot farms and beneficiaries, to provide technical assistance;
• Continuous follow-up with Field officers and project beneficiaries on irrigation activities, to ensure proper quality of the activities delivery;
• Support data collection in the field to inform the project performance indicators
• Continuous coordination with CEFA Water and Irrigation Expert, Area Manager, and Field Coordinator for updates on the implementation of the dates palm irrigation activities;
• Any other activities that might be required.

Required Qualifications:

• Degree in Irrigation Engineering or related fields;
• Past working experience (at least 6 years) in irrigation programs in the humanitarian/development sector in Somalia;
• Previous experience working in Bari and Nugal regions, Puntland State of Somalia;
• Excellent Knowledge of English and Somali;
• Good Knowledge of Microsoft Office;
• Good Knowledge of AUTOCAD and/or other design software;
• Past experience in designing and supervising rehabilitation and/or construction works in the irrigation sector;
• Past experience in designing irrigation systems for date palm cultivation;
• Previous experience in working with CEFA is an asset. Required Skills: Commitment, punctuality, proactivity, good team player, ability to work under difficult conditions in the field, trustworthiness, and honesty.