Wash Engineer

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – Wash Engineer

External Advert. 

Post Title: Wash Engineer.

Duty Station: Burao, Somaliland.

Closing Date: 24/8/2024

Established in 1949, SOS Children’s Villages International is an umbrella organization to which all SOS Children’s Villages including SOS Children’s Villages Somaliland Association is affiliated. SOS CV is a social development international organization working in 135 countries globally and committed to the welfare of children – often throughout their childhood, and to strengthening families and communities as a preventive measure in the fight against abandonment and social neglect. With the SOS Children’s Village concept, the organization pioneered a family approach to the long-term care of orphaned and abandoned children. SOS Children’s Villages upholds a child protection policy, and our selection processes reflect our commitment to protecting children and youth from abuse. As part of our efforts to improve access to safe and sustainable water sources for communities and families in crisis and recovery, SOS Children’s Villages in Somaliland is currently implementing the Family and Community Empowerment Project in Burao, which includes the development of sustainable WASH infrastructure for vulnerable communities.

SOS Children’s Villages in Somaliland is seeking a qualified WASH Engineer who will be leading the overall leadership for the water project in Durdur IDP, Burao. His/her role will focus on the technical design, implementation, and oversight of WASH interventions—particularly the construction of boreholes and the development of climate-resilient water systems to support vulnerable communities

Position Summary.

This position is critical in supporting the implementation of the water project by collaborating closely with the Project Coordinator to ensure the smooth execution of activities. Responsibilities include site assessment, technical design, contractor supervision, and ensuring that all infrastructure complies with national standards, SPHERE guidelines, and environmental safeguards. The role also includes capacity-building, awareness campaigns, and stakeholder coordination. Additionally, the engineer will also work with relevant stakeholders, including the Burao local government, the Ministry of Water Resources Development, the Burao water agency and the Communities for the sustainability of the water.

Detailed description of tasks & responsibilities

This job description outlines only the general scope of the activities and the basic tasks and responsibilities associated with this position. It may be supplemented with a more detailed definition of tasks and responsibilities and is subject to change with the employee’s immediate supervisor.

1.   Technical Planning and Designing.

1.1.      Conduct technical assessment and feasibility study for all WASH infrastructures.

1.2.      Prepare and draft TORs for conducting geophysical/hydrogeological site assessments for exploring underground water aquifers and potential areas.

1.3.       Prepare detailed engineering designs, technical drawings, specifications, and Bills of Quantities -BOQs for all WASH infrastructures, including but not limited to:

·       Water Supply Systems.

-     Water Sources (Borehole drilling, underground water reservoirs, shallow wells)

-     Construction of water source ancillary facilities, including (Installation of solar-powered water pumping systems, Construction of elevated RCC tanks, Gain link fencing, water kiosks, animal troughs, Extension and installation of water pipelines, and Water storage tanks.

·       Hygiene and sanitation facilities.

(Latrines, hand-washing basin, Incinerators, placenta pits, etc.)

·       Emergency WASH activities (preparing technical documents for water Trucking, distribution of NFI WASH, and IDP temporary shelter houses).

1.3.1.   Support the procurement system, including, tendering process, evaluation and awarding.

2.   Project Implementation and Supervision 2.1. Prepare a detailed activity-based work plan. 2.2. Conduct site monitoring and Supervision during construction and installation works.

2.3.  Provide technical guidance and directions to the technical team and contractor during implementation work.

2.4. Prepare progress reports, field reports and monthly reports based on the progress of the activities. 2.5. Ensure compliance with technical specifications, safety, and environmental standards.

3.   Capacity Building and Coordination. 3.1.      Establish and train community water management committees for water system operation.

3.2.      Facilitate water tariff setting, water revenue collection and management through conducting capacity building training to the WMCs and raising awareness among the community to participate.

3.3.      Conduct awareness campaigns on water conservation and hygiene practices. 3.4.      Support the development of SOPs and ensure compliance.

4.   Monitoring and Reporting.

4.1.      Monitor implementation progress and submit weekly technical reports.

4.2.      Prepare regular progress reports and final technical completion documentation.

4.3.      Participate in coordination meetings with authorities and partners.

4.4.      Supervise contractors and monitor borehole drilling and construction work to ensure quality, compliance with design, and adherence to safety and environmental standards.

4.5.      Make sure to fill and document during borehole drilling, including well logging and wire-line logging in collaboration with MOWRD.

4.6.      Document lessons learned and provided future recommendations.

4.7.      Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

  5.   Deliverables

ü  Detailed BOQs and technical drawings for all components of WASH infrastructures.

ü  Provide technical guidance for the operators and contractors during the implementation of work.

ü  Supervision and Monitoring with cross-checking quality check measures.

ü  Functioning and climate-adaptive WASH infrastructures.

ü  Final consolidated technical report with photos, maps, and GPs.

1.   Required competencies.

§  A bachelor’s degree in water engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field; a master’s degree is an asset.

§   At least 3 - 5 years of relevant experience in borehole drilling, water supply engineering, and WASH infrastructure in humanitarian or development contexts

§  Proficiency in AutoCAD, EPANET, and GIS is an advantage

§  Proven experience in contractor supervision and quality assurance

§  Familiarity with national water policies, SPHERE standards, and donor technical guidelines.

§  Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.

§  Fluency in Somali and English (spoken and written)

§  Willingness to work in field locations within Togdheer region

Indicate the title of the job you are applying for in the subject line of the email. 

Interested applicants should send their applications with a scanned copy of academic and professional certificates, indicating telephone numbers and three referees to: [email protected]. The closing date is 24th August 2025. SOS Children’s Villages are equal employers. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting children in our programs by having a zero-tolerance policy in this regard. We are further committed to providing a safe environment for staff and children, young people, and adults with whom we work, where human rights are respected and upheld, and healthy relations are fostered by building organizational systems, capacity, and awareness on PSHEA (prevention and protection against sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse) guidelines. All our co-workers are obliged to follow our policy on Child Safeguarding and Protection, PSHEA, and Code of Conduct