Invitation For Applications
Country Somaliland
Project Holder Ministry of Water Resources Development
Project Burao Water Supply Expansion Project
Fund Somaliland Development Fund Phase 3
IFA Title Electromechanical Resident Engineer (EM RE)
Contract Duration 12 months
Location Burao, Togdheer Region
Number of positions One (1)
IFA No. P103-068
1. Background to SDF
The Somaliland Development Fund – Phase 3 (SDF3) covers the period 2025-2028, with the
possibility of a two-year extension. SDF3 aims to strengthen the climate resilience of vulnerable
communities in Somaliland while creating increased income and job opportunities, thereby helping to
reduce poverty. SDF3’s ambitions are aligned with NDP3 and reflect the priorities set out in
Somaliland Vision 2030. SDF3 is funded with contributions from Denmark, Norway and the United
Kingdom.
The SDF3 Joint Steering Committee has approved the Burao Water Supply Expansion Project, which
aims to strengthen water security for Burao, Somaliland’s second-largest city. The project is designed
to address chronic water shortages by expanding groundwater production, constructing new
transmission pipelines, and improving distribution capacity to serve an additional 85,000 residents,
including 7,000 internally displaced people (IDPs). Burao currently relies on 21 boreholes and a 58
km pipeline network that together meet only 54% of total water demand, prompting the need for a
long-term, climate-resilient solution. The expansion project builds on earlier SDF2 assessments
focused on climate change impacts, water resource sustainability, and renewable energy integration.
Like other SDF3 investments, the project is structured around three strategic pillars: climate resilience,
inclusive economic growth, and social inclusion, and comprises three outputs aligned with these
objectives.
The SDF3 Joint Steering Committee has approved the Burao Water Supply Expansion Project, which
aims to strengthen water security for Burao, Somaliland’s second-largest city. The project will address
chronic water shortages by expanding groundwater production, constructing new transmission
pipelines, enhancing water storage and distribution infrastructure, and increasing access to safe and
reliable water services for an additional 85,000 residents, including approximately 7,000 internally
displaced persons (IDPs). Burao currently relies on 21 boreholes and a 58 km pipeline network that
meet only around 54% of the city's water demand, highlighting the need for a long-term, climateresilient solution. The project builds on earlier SDF2 assessments focused on climate change
adaptation, water resource sustainability and renewable energy integration. The project comprises
major civil works under Lots 1-4 and substantial electromechanical works under Lot 5, including
borehole equipping, solar-diesel hybrid power systems, electrical distribution infrastructure, booster
stations, and SCADA, telemetry and instrumentation systems. Like other SDF3 investments, the
project is structured around three strategic pillars, namely climate resilience, inclusive economic
growth and social inclusion, and comprises three outputs aligned with these objectives.

2. Summary of the role
As part of the Burao Water Supply Expansion Project, significant electromechanical works will be
implemented under Lot 5, including borehole equipping, solar-diesel hybrid power systems, electrical
distribution networks, booster stations, and SCADA, telemetry and instrumentation systems. To
support the effective delivery of these works, the Project intends to recruit a Resident Engineer –
Electromechanical (EM RE) to join the Project Management Team (PMT), in line with the approved
proposal and the SDF3 Operational Guidelines. The EM RE will serve as the Client’s primary site
representative for all electromechanical works, providing technical supervision, contract
administration and quality assurance to ensure the works are delivered safely, on time, within budget,
and in compliance with approved designs, contractual requirements and SDF3 standards. Working
closely with the PMT, the EM RE will oversee construction activities, manage civil-electromechanical
interfaces, and support the testing, commissioning and handover of all electromechanical assets in
line with approved designs and technical standards, and completed on time and within budget.
3. Key tasks
• Review project documentation, contractor mobilisation arrangements and technical interfaces,
and establish the supervision, inspection and reporting systems required for effective project
delivery.
• Review and manage contractor technical submissions, ensuring all materials, equipment,
procedures and documentation comply with the Contract, approved designs and applicable
standards.
• Monitor programme implementation, construction progress, contract administration,
payments, claims, variations and project controls, and provide timely recommendations to the
Client.
• Supervise the installation, testing and commissioning of all pumping, mechanical and
electromechanical systems, ensuring compliance with the Contract, approved designs and
manufacturers’ requirements.
• Supervise the installation, testing, energisation and commissioning of solar, power generation,
electrical distribution and protection systems, ensuring safe and compliant operation.
• Supervise the installation, integration, testing and commissioning of SCADA, automation,
instrumentation and communications systems, ensuring full operational functionality and
system integration.
• Monitor quality assurance, HSE and safeguard compliance, oversee testing and
commissioning activities, and verify readiness for taking-over through completion of all defects,
documentation, training and handover requirements.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Qualifications and Skills
• At least a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering,
Renewable Energy Engineering.
• Registration with a recognised professional engineering body.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and other relevant electrical design, modelling and analysis software.
General Professional Experience
• At least ten (10) years' post-qualification experience in the design, installation, construction
supervision, testing and commissioning of electromechanical, electrical or renewable energy
infrastructure projects
• At least seven (7) years' experience as a Resident Engineer involving contract administration,
quality management, payment certification, variations, testing, commissioning and handover.
3 | P a g e
• At least three (3) years' experience working in arid, remote or infrastructure-constrained
environments in the Horn of Africa or settings comparable to Somaliland.
Specific Professional Experience
• At least seven (7) years' experience as an Electromechanical Resident Engineer on
electromechanical projects for water supply, power or renewable energy infrastructure
projects.
• Experience on at least two (2) completed urban or large-scale water supply projects involving
borehole pumping systems, booster pumping stations and associated electromechanical
infrastructure within the last seven (7) years.
• Experience in supervising and commissioning at least one (1) project involving an 11 kV, or
equivalent medium-voltage, electrical distribution system, including transformers, switchgear,
protection systems and earthing.
• Experience in supervising the installation, testing and commissioning of at least one (1) solar
photovoltaic (PV) or hybrid power project of at least 400kWp.
• Experience in supervising, testing and commissioning at least one (1) SCADA, telemetry,
automation or instrumentation system in a water-related project.

5. How to apply
Interested candidates should send their application (cover letter and CV) to the Somaliland
Development Fund Secretariat through e-mail [email protected]. Candidates should indicate
in their cover letter how they fit the criteria outlined in the advert. All applications must be received by
Tuesday 27 October 2026 at 1600hrs East African Standard Time. Applicants should clearly
indicate the position they are applying for in the email subject line.
Any attempt by a candidate to influence the outcome of the recruitment process in any way which can
be interpreted as canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification from being considered for this
position.
This position is open to both International and Somaliland candidates.