Water Sanitation Engineer
Oversee water and sanitation engineering projects and ensure compliance with safety standards.
Overview
Oversee water and sanitation engineering projects and ensure compliance with safety standards.
You have:
- A degree in Water and Sanitation Engineering or Environmental Engineering.
- Experience in project documentation preparation related to water and sanitation projects.
- Ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions.
- Fluency in French and knowledge of other DRC languages (Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba, Swahili) is an advantage.
- At least 3 years of experience in engineering and construction management for water and sanitation systems.
Contract
This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.
Assignment is non-family (GOMA)
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Water Sanitation and Environmental Unit, the duties of the Water and Sanitation Engineer will include but are not limited to the following:
• Preparation of water and sanitation projects documents including diagrams, sketches, calculation of requirements, dimensions of pipes and capacities of elements, bill of quantities, specifications and cost analysis and cost estimations. • Draft and develop consolidated reports on water and sanitation actions to be taken, problem areas to be addressed and risk mitigation measures • Monitoring on site the installation of new water and sanitation networks and systems and maintenance of existing ones by guiding, instructing and clarifying doubts to contractors, manpower, subcontractors, involved in the implementation. • Preparation of monitoring reports and reporting tools of the progress of water and sanitation tasks on sites. • Coordinate the above-mentioned tasks with other construction works and other engineers included in the project. • Ensure that the works meet the safety and environmental standards in accordance with international codes and regulations and environmental procedures within the mission; • Install and carry out scheduled periodic and emergency maintenance services on all the water and sanitation elements, • Carry out scheduled periodic and emergency maintenance services on all the facilities and installations in the camp. • Perform surveys of existing status of installations and items and prepare technical reports; • Prepare material specifications for the purpose of raising requisitions of materials and ensure that minimum stock levels are maintained at all times; • Assist other units such as Operations, Infrastructure, etc. when required; Liaise frequently with the Building Maintenance Unit Supervisor; • Coordinate with the field offices and manage the data entries in the Environmental Action Planning and Performance of the mission in the eAPP platform • Identify the projects to implement improvement of office and accommodation for uniformed women in peacekeeping mission • When working with national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs), the incumbent is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal and on-the-job training; • Perform other related duties as may be required.
-Integrity and professionalism; -Planning and organizing; -Teamwork; -Respect for diversity; -Communication
Water and Sanitation Engineering or Environmental
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse. Living conditions therefore vary between MONUSCO duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, where, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply nor running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential. Accommodation is very expensive in both Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Bukavu, Kisangani), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative. All MONUSCO duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except for Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Entebbe which are now considered family duty stations, and most are currently under UN Security Phase III (“relocation phase”: internationally-recruited staff are temporarily concentrated or relocated to specified sites/locations). In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including in Kinshasa and Goma. Some degree of medical service is provided in all MONUSCO duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for MONUSCO personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming MONUSCO personnel, including UN Volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations, though this is unlikely. All UN Volunteers must ensure that they are up-to-date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore recommended to take prophylaxis. The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange traveller’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad. In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a challenging water sanitation project you managed and how you overcame obstacles? | This question seeks to understand your problem-solving and project management skills. | Provide details on the project, the challenges faced, and the strategies you used to resolve them. |
| How do you ensure compliance with environmental and safety standards in your projects? | The interviewer wants to know about your commitment to safety and environmental protocols. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a time you mentored someone in your field. What was your approach? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How would you approach a project that requires coordination with multiple units or teams? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What measures do you take when assessing risk in water sanitation projects? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |