Experience: Entry level / Junior
Duty Station: Mwingi North Sub-County, Kitui County
Contract Duration: 12 months, fixed term beginning November 26th
Reports to: Project manager and FundiFix
Closing Date: Wednesday 14th November 2018
Introduction: FundiFix is a social enterprise that provides professional maintenance and repair service for rural water infrastructure (including handpumps, generators, submersible pumps, booster pumps, control panels, solar systems, pipelines, tanks and other accessories) serving communities, schools and health facilities.
FundiFix currently operates in rural parts of Kitui and Kwale Counties in Kenya. FundiFix is working with university researchers to start a drinking-water quality monitoring programme in Kitui.
This programme will contribute to research on rural water supply management and will support development of FundiFix’s rural water services portfolio. A Water Quality Monitoring Officer is needed to lead the sampling and water quality analysis for this monitoring programme.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Water Quality Monitoring Officer will receive training on water quality sampling, analysis, interpretation and reporting. The Officer’s primary responsibilities will be:
Conducting short questionnaires with community members on the topic of water quality and water management;
Visiting community water schemes/sources to collect water samples;
Analysing quality of the water samples in a field-laboratory in Mwingi North; and
Preparing short weekly reports to update the project manager.
Additional activities may include:
Assisting with dissemination of project findings in relevant forums;
Assisting with training communities to understand and manage water quality; and
Liaising with the FundiFix maintenance team to ensure efficiency in delivery of wider field activities.
This is a field-based job. Most days will involve visits to water sources and travel between communities. Water samples and equipment will need to be organised and well-maintained.
Desired Qualifications
The primary selection criteria for this position are:
A bachelor’s degree in water, environment, natural resources management, community development or a related field;
Proficiency in spoken and written English, Swahili, and Kamba language;
Proficiency in use of computers and tablets and experience using Ms Word and Excel;
A valid driving license;
Interest in water quality, environment, and water services/resources themes; and
Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
Additional education and experience with water quality monitoring and/or working in rural areas would be an advantage.
