SANTULAN - Water Supply Engineer

Posted by Todd Houstein to SANTULAN, 5th March 2010, 10:06am
Location: , India Link to google map
Applications close 5th April 2010

Partner Description

Santulan (‘Social Animation Towards Liberative Action’ ) also means ‘balance’ referring to the balance between community development and collective Mobilisation. The organisation was started by a young and dynamic couple Pallavi and Bastu Rege in 1998 at Pune in Maharashtra to organize the stone-quarry workers in the neighbouring areas to improve their living and working conditions. Santulan now has 19 paid staff including working with unions, in education programs and women’s empowerment.
Santulan also fund 150 teachers who teach 2583 students in schools within the stone quarry workers communities. Most of the quarry-workers come from what is known in India as ‘Nomadic Tribes’ and include some of the most disadvantaged people.
Santulan’s areas of operation currently include:

• Mobilisation of stone-quarry workers through their unions
• Education for miners’ children
• Training and capacity building of leaders
• Organising self-help groups for women
• Livelihood and income generating programs
• Policy and advocacy on mining related activities

 

Project Background

  As part of their support to the stone quarry worker community, Santulan assist with housing and related health and safety programs. One of the most dire issues for the quarry workers community is the poor water quality and limited supply that is available for drinking and household purposes. Santulan has limited technical capacity in the water supply, treatment and management area; hence, require a volunteer to:

• Build the capacity of Santulan staff and community to assess water quality and supply issues at Santulan affiliated quarries
• Recommend options and assist in delivery of an improved water supply

Activities include:

• Undertaking a needs and assets assessment to determine community water supply and quality issues and priorities
• Assessing the current water supply, water management and water demand practices
• Spatial mapping (physical and anthropologic) of the current water supplies and water quality
• Make recommendations on improving all facets of water supply
• Assist Santulan staff in implementing these recommendations as appropriate

 
The volunteer will be based primarily in the Santulan Office in Pune, but will conduct regular field visits to relevant quarry sites with Santulan staff; concurrently with the EWB OHS Co-ordinator.
 

Timing

The role consists of three important phases beginning June 2010, including a 12-month field secondment in Pune, India commencing in August 2010.

Phase 1: Pre-departure –  June 2010

• Pre-departure preparation (medical clearances, training, administrative)
• Linking with the Australian based EWB project team if required for the project
• Linking with a local EWB chapter to enhance your resources and support networks and create opportunities for sharing your experience with members

 

Phase 2: Field operations – August 2010

• Departure to host country and partner organisations
• Undertaking specific role within partner organisation
• Linking with EWB Field Officers to develop appropriate ‘Learning & Change’ materials to share with EWB members and partner organisations

 

Phase 3: Post field alumni – 2011

• Return to Australia to collaborate with the project team, knowledge hub (if relevant( and with an EWB chapter for a minimum period of 12 months
• Participate in various EWB events including the National Conference and intake presentation evenings
• Participate in the development and dissemination of ‘Learning & Change’ materials within the EWB community
• Mentor future field volunteers preparing to work with the partner organisation

 

Applications

Please complete the volunteer application form and attach a statement addressing how you meet the selection criteria. We cannot assess applications that do not address the selection criteria.

Applications close on Monday 5th April 2010.

Please complete and return applications to the South Asia Program Coordinator by email to Ian Cunningham (see address below), with 'CWS' as the subject title. Or post to the EWB National Office, PO Box 79, Elsternwick VIC 3185.

Please DO NOT attach CVs, references or any other documentation. For more information contact Ian Cunningham at the National Office:
Email: i.cunningham   *at*    ewb.org.au
Ph:+61 3 9696 9040
Fax:+61 3 9696 9034
 

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Relevant tertiary degree or qualification
• Demonstrated experience in water quality management and assessment
• Experience in water sanitation and/or water supply design
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in project approach
• Ability to communicate to a range of stakeholders
• Experience in data collection and management

Desirable

• Experience working overseas or in remote or challenging environments
• Cultural sensitivity
• Hindi/Marathi language skills
• Formal qualifications in first aid and/or OHS
• Experience working with children (the Santulan works a lot in schools and has school and childrens home attached to it’s office)
• Experience in GIS (eg. GPS, ArcGIS, Mapview, google earth etc)

Personal

• Emotional maturity

 

Additional Secondment Information

Allowances

• Volunteers will receive an allowance for living and basic accommodation.
• Volunteers will be provided with airfares at the commencement and completion of the placement, plus basic travel insurance and emergency evacuation insurance.

 
Confirmation of secondment is subject to:

• Formal approval from EWB and the partner organisation.
• Procurement of visa and work permits.
• Satisfactory completion of a first aid certificate.
• Satisfactory participation in a pre-departure briefing run by EWB (in July 2010)
• A satisfactory medical examination of the applicant.
• A satisfactory criminal record check of the applicant and accompanying adults by the Australian Police.

 
EWB adheres to statutory laws in Australia and foreign countries regarding child exploitation, child pornography and the abuse of children. We are committed to the protection of children from all forms of harm.

Additional Partner Information

www.santulan.org
www.youtube.com/user/EWBAustralia

Please log in to post a comment