RWSSP - Rural Water Supply Engineer

Posted by Todd Houstein to Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Program, 5th March 2010, 5:28pm
Location: , Timor Leste Link to google map
Applications close 5th April 2010

Download the application form here (Word doc 131kB)

Description

The IDSS Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Program (RWSSP) commenced in September 2007, with the objective of increasing access in poor rural communities to improved water and sanitation. The program works with the communities to plan, deliver and maintain water distribution and sanitation infrastructure, including for schools and health clinics.  It also helps promote changed hygiene behaviour, leading to better health outcomes. RWSSP works closely with the Government of Timor-Leste's key ministries, local training institutions, non-government organisations and the emerging private sector, to plan for and deliver a nationally sustainable rural water and sanitation capacity in Timor Leste.

RWSSP requires one field volunteer to work under the Water Supply Engineering team to provide mentoring and training of NGOs to carry out the construction of various Government water systems in rural Timor Leste. The volunteer will be provided management support from Dili. Support from the EWB Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Knowledge Hub will also be available. 

The focus areas are civil, environmental and mechanical engineering, and in particular: Water and Sanitation; Water Supply System Design and Construction.

This role would be suited to engineers experienced in the planning, design, and/or construction of water supply systems, and with the ability to communicate, teach and work effectively in a rural setting.

Key Activities

• Support RWSSP’s partner NGOs in project design and implementation of water systems
• Capacity build the technical and construction skills of the local NGO technical staff
• Improve skills for project monitoring by RWSSP and national government staff
• Identify and where appropriate deliver required technical training to NGO technical staff

 

 

Timing

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

Phase 1: Pre-departure – June 2010

• Pre-departure preparation (medical, training, administrative)
• Linking with EWB project team (Australia-based) if required for the project
• Linking with a local EWB chapter (enhancing your resources and sharing experience with members)

Phase 2: Field operations – 2010 (start date July 2010)

• Departure to host country and partner organization
• Orientation with support from existing EWB Field Officer and established EWB field volunteers in the area; introductions to RWSSP team
• Coordinate development of rural water supplies in conjunction with NGO staff capacity development

Phase 3: Post field alumni – 2011

• Return to Australia to collaborate with South East Asia management team and with and EWB chapter for a minimum period of 12 months
• Participate in various EWB events including the National Conference
• Participate in the development and dissemination of ‘Learning & Change’ materials within the EWB community
• Mentor future field volunteer preparing to work with South East Asian partner organisations

 

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 Kim Axworthy, South East Asia Program Coordinator by email: k.axworthy@ewb.org.au

Or to EWB’s Perth office:
Engineers Without Borders Australia
c/o Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway, M015
Crawley, Western Australia, 6009

Please DO NOT attach CVs, references or any other documentation.

For more information contact Kim Axworthy;
Email: k.axworthy@ewb.org.au
Ph: +61 8 6488 8039
 

Criteria

Essential

• Bachelor in Civil, Environmental or Mechanical Engineering
• Experience in Water Supply Engineering projects
• Experience in working in rural settings within developing countries, with a sensitivity to other cultures
• Desire to work closely with local staff
• A positive, enthusiastic, can-do attitude
• Good problem solving techniques and initiative
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Self motivated and well organised, able to work independently with remote supervision

Desirable

• Bahasa Indonesian or Tetum language knowledge
• Country experience in East Timor
• Experience in integrating social component to community water management including experience in promoting gender equity
• Ability to work according to agreed principles, and model the desirable behaviours including openness, cooperation, a focus on the wider goals, and ability to handle conflict appropriately and constructively

Personal Attributes

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Commitment to teamwork and capacity building techniques
• Ability to cope with cultural and professional isolation and possibly basic living conditions
• Patience, tolerance and flexibility
• Excellent health; physically and mentally capable of working in a new cultural setting in a potentially stressful environment

 Additional information

• 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 for the applicant.
• A satisfactory criminal record check by the Australian Police for the applicant and all accompanying adults.

 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 all children from all forms of harm.

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