Wash project Officer ( Engineer)

Title: Project Wash officer- Engineer                                                                                                                                                             Report Technically: Wash Head Of Department                                                                                                                                                  Report Administratively: Consortium Director
 About Action Against Hunger (ACF)

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 28 million people annually with proven hunger prevention and treatment programmes. Operating in 55 countries, our 8,990 dedicated staff members partner with communities, governments, and agencies to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Action Against Hunger Kenya is part of the Action Against Hunger International network and implements integrated programmes in West Pokot, Isiolo, Tana River, Samburu, Kwale, and Baringo counties.

Project Description – AGROBLUE

The AGROBLUE Project – Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture and the Blue Economy in Kenya is an AICS-funded initiative aimed at improving food security, livelihoods, and climate resilience in Kenya’s coastal counties of Tana River and Kwale. The project targets smallholder farmers and artisanal fishers facing low productivity, high post-harvest losses, and limited income diversification, while also addressing gender barriers that limit women’s participation in economic activities.

Through an integrated approach, AGROBLUE promotes climate-smart agriculture, sustainable fishing practices, and blue economy opportunities, while strengthening institutional sustainability through collaboration with government ministries and local stakeholders. The project enhances water management systems to support both domestic and productive use, improving year-round access to water and increasing resilience to climate variability.

AGROBLUE aims to increase household incomes and resilience to food crises by introducing small-scale, sustainable food production systems and reducing post-harvest losses through improved handling, storage, and value addition. It also strengthens community capacities and builds technical skills among extension officers to better support farmers and fishers.

By promoting gender equality and social inclusion, the project ensures more equitable access to resources and decision-making for women and youth, contributing to diversified livelihoods, improved nutrition, and long-term socio-economic stability in coastal Kenya.

I.              Position Summary

·  Action Against Hunger is looking for to fill the position of Wash project officer- (WASH Engineer- Water Systems & Irrigation) based in Tana River/ Kwale County responsible for leading the technical design and delivery of water infrastructure and management systems under the AGROBLUE project. The role focuses on developing reliable, climate-resilient water solutions that support both household needs and productive activities such as irrigation and livelihoods.
·   The position involves close collaboration with communities, local authorities, and project partners to ensure water systems are functional, sustainable, and adapted to local conditions, including water scarcity and climate variability.
·   The Project WASH Officer- Engineer will play a central role in strengthening water availability, system performance, and efficient use, while supporting community capacity to operate and maintain systems, contributing to improved resilience and long-term sustainability.

Purpose:

·  The Project WASH Officer- (Engineer)  will lead the day-to-day implementation and monitoring of water infrastructure and management systems under the AGROBLUE project, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of climate-resilient water solutions for both domestic and productive use. The role will work closely with program partners, communities, and relevant stakeholders to ensure effective coordination, consultation, and information sharing throughout implementation.
·   The position will ensure strong integration and complementarity with other program components, including agriculture, nutrition, and livelihoods, while representing the consortium in relevant WASH technical coordination forums at county and sub-county levels.

Engagement:

·    Facilitate community engagement on sustainable water use, climate-resilient water systems, and water management practices, supporting improved water availability for both domestic and productive use.
·   Work closely with communities, local leaders, elders, and relevant authorities throughout all stages of implementation to ensure water infrastructure is appropriately designed, accepted, and sustainably managed, while representing Action Against Hunger at field level.
·   Coordinate with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), NGOs, UN agencies, and County Departments (Water, Irrigation, Agriculture) to ensure harmonized implementation of water-related interventions, avoiding duplication and promoting efficient use of resources.
·   Represent the organization in WASH and technical coordination forums at county and sub-county level, including relevant working groups and multi-sector platforms, contributing to alignment with sector standards and shared planning.
·  Collaborate with the Consortium Director, Head of Department – WASH, Program Managers, and other technical teams to ensure effective delivery of AGROBLUE activities, with strong integration between WASH FSL, Nutrition components.

Delivery:

·    Contribute to the development of detailed project work plans, ensuring that FSL activities, Nutrition, WASH and gender related activities are fully integrated.
·   Ensure that the project is implemented within the stipulated timeline and by the standards prescribed by the county, national and international standards.
·   Ensure that the work plans, procurement plans and DIPs are developed at the beginning of the project and the required procurement requisitions are raised as needed.
·   Participate in the review of the Budget Follow Ups (BFUs) and ensure that the budget expenditure is as per the work plan and that forecasts are made to reflect the work plans.
·  Participate in project routine monitoring, Baseline and end line surveys, and support distribution monitoring (PDM)
·   Prepare weekly and monthly progress reports, quarterly, semiannual and annual reports according to the AICs Consortium and donor guidelines
·   Compile program reports on a timely basis in liaison with other program staff; Weekly SitRep, Monthly (statistical and narrative), Quarterly and annual donor reports.

Essential job functions.

1.    Project planning, design and implementation - 30%

·  In coordination with the Consortium Manager and HOD WASH, lead the technical planning, design, and implementation of water systems and infrastructure under the AGROBLUE project, including water supply, storage, and irrigation systems.
·  Conduct regular site inspections and monitoring of ongoing water infrastructure works to ensure compliance with approved designs, technical specifications, and work schedules; verify completed works and certify contractor payments in line with progress and quality standards.
·   Support the application of water modelling and optimization approaches in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano to improve system design, water use efficiency, and overall performance.
·    Ensure integration of water interventions with agriculture, nutrition, and livelihoods components by supporting reliable and sustainable water access for both domestic and productive use.
·   Participate in the planning and execution of technical assessments, surveys, and feasibility studies, including water source analysis, system design, and infrastructure requirements.
·   Ensure effective community engagement to support appropriate design, ownership, and sustainable management of water systems.
·  Lead site identification and validation for water infrastructure, ensuring technical suitability, sustainability, and equitable access.
·  Coordinate with County Government departments (Water, Irrigation, Agriculture) to ensure alignment with sector standards, policies, and technical requirements.
·  Work closely with the Consortium Manager, HOD WASH, Finance, Logistics, to support procurement processes, including preparation of BoQs, technical specifications, and contractor supervision.
·  Build capacity of communities and water user groups on operation and maintenance (O&M), water conservation, and efficient use of water systems.
·  Promote climate-resilient water solutions, including solar-powered systems, water harvesting, and efficient irrigation practices.
·     Ensure inclusive participation of beneficiaries, especially women, youth, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups, in the planning and management of water systems.
·  Strengthening linkages between water user groups and relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, service providers, and private sector actors, to support long-term sustainability.
·   Collaborate closely with other program sectors to ensure integrated delivery of WASH, FSL, and nutrition interventions.
·   Ensure active involvement of communities, local leaders, and government authorities throughout all stages of project design, implementation, and monitoring.
·   Contributes to the development and refinement of technical approaches and engineering solutions based on field experience and emerging needs.

2.    Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Data Management - 20%

·   Participate in the planning, organization, and implementation of surveys, assessments, and research studies, including post-distribution monitoring (PDM).
·  Regularly monitor and evaluate the performance of WASH projects, providing timely input, feedback, and analysis on the impact of consortium WASH interventions on target communities.
·  Support county teams in monitoring water-related activities in the field, including assessing system performance, identifying technical challenges and risks, and supporting handover of completed infrastructure to community management structures and relevant authorities.
·   Ensure that all beneficiary and assessment data are securely stored within the organization’s database and are accessible to relevant teams in accordance with data protection standards.
·  Participate in community-level water needs assessments, including water access, availability, and demand analysis, to inform design and implementation of water systems.
·  Conduct capacity assessments of Water Management Committees and local technicians, and provide mentorship on operation, maintenance, and management of water infrastructure.
·   Lead and/or conduct project baseline, midline, end-line, context, and follow-up assessments, as well as surveys as required
·   Lead WASH assessments, response planning, and coordination in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

3.    Reporting, documentation and communication - 20%

·   Coordinate with the MEAL Officer to prepare timely, accurate, and high-quality activity reports, including Weekly Situation Reports (SitReps), monthly (statistical and narrative), quarterly, and semi-annual reports, as well as DHIS2 submissions, in line with the AICS consortium (ACF) and donor reporting guidelines.
·   Document and compile lessons learned, best practices, human-interest stories, and success stories that demonstrate project outcomes and impact.
·  Participate in information sharing with program teams, government counterparts, and partners by disseminating activity results and feedback from the field.
·   Support County Department of Water focal persons on information and data management related to water system interventions.
·   Enhance project visibility across all project sites by ensuring proper branding of equipment, tools, and materials in accordance with donor visibility guidelines.
·  Maintain comprehensive qualitative and quantitative records of project activities, ensuring data is disaggregated by age, gender, and disability status. 
·   Prepare progress updates, quarterly donor reports, project proposals, program reports, procurement plans, and contribute to survey and assessment reports as required.

4.    Information exchange and cooperation with all Action Against Hunger interventions and external stakeholders - 10%

·  Collaborate closely with all Action Against Hunger departments and sectors to ensure effective integration of program activities across sectors.
·   Strengthen and maintain partnerships with relevant County Government departments and ministries, community structures, beneficiaries, INGOs, NGOs, CBOs, and private-sector actors to support smooth project implementation and maximize impact.
·  Actively participate in county-level coordination forums and platforms related to agriculture, nutrition, WASH, gender, and livelihood resilience.

5.    Finance and Logistics - 20%

·  Prepare monthly cash forecasts in liaison with other program staff, in line with approved work plans and project timelines.
·   Ensure all project expenditures are aligned with approved budget lines and comply strictly with budget limits and donor requirements.
·  Propose and justify anticipated budget realignments or revisions based on field realities and program needs, in coordination with relevant staff.
·   Support the finance officer to review and monitor project budgets, tracking burn rates, and ensuring diligent grant utilization, efficient resource use, and value for money.
·   Perform any other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor

III. Supervisory Responsibilities

·  The Project WASH officer (Engineer) position does not have direct line management responsibilities.

IV. Fiscal Responsibility

·   Prepare cash forecasts in line with approved project work plans and proactively address anticipated budget realignments in consultation with the finance officer.
·    Monitor budget expenditure against the spending plan, ensuring diligent grant utilization, timely spending, and value for money.
·  Support the Programs team during monthly Budget Forecast Update (BFU) review meetings by reviewing corrective actions and proposing necessary budget amendments or realignments to the Finance team.

V. Physical Demands 

·   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. You must be able to proofread your own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
·   The job also demands long journeys across Tana River and Kwale counties, in remote areas of the work area, with poor terrain and scorching sun and heat.
·  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

VI. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

·  The duties of the job require regular job attendance for five days per week with eight hours per day however, due to the nature of programs, may be required to work longer hours and over the weekends.
·  Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic based on office needs. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as infectious diseases.

VII. Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse

·    Foster an environment that reinforces the values of women and men, and equal access to information.
·    Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
·  Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.
·   Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.
·  Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
·   Value and respect in all cultures.

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

·         Degree/Higher Diploma in civil/water engineering.

·         Experience working in collaboration with relevant county/national government departments and INGO sectors is an advantage.

·         Knowledge of main donor requirements including AICS, UNICEF, ECHO, USAID, EU, Private donors etc.

Required Experience, Skills & Competencies

·         3 years’ experience in a similar position.

·         Experience in the design, implementation, and supervision of water systems, including water supply, storage, and irrigation.

·         Strong skills in construction supervision, quality control, and contractor management.

·         Ability to prepare and interpret BoQs, technical specifications, and engineering designs.

·         Hands-on experience with boreholes, solar pumping systems, storage (tanks, farm ponds, water pans), and distribution networks.

·         Good understanding of climate-resilient water systems and water conservation practices.

·         Experience in planning, monitoring, and reporting technical activities.

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