Senior Water Engineer

Overview

The Senior Water Engineer will play a critical supporting role to the Head of Utilities by providing advanced technical leadership and operational oversight across all water and sanitation initiatives. This position requires a highly skilled engineer who can design, manage, and optimize water and sanitation systems, ensuring the highest standards of reliability, compliance, and performance across both strategic and field-level operations.

Key Responsibilities

Technical & Strategic Support

• Support in developing and refining strategic plans for all water, sanitation, and hygiene (WATSAN) workstreams.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable technical plans and provide expert input into project designs, feasibility studies, and execution timelines.
• Assist in preparing and reviewing WATSAN budgets, financial forecasts, and project cost models.

Design, Operations & Maintenance

• Lead the technical design and review of water and sanitation infrastructure projects, including hydrogeological, hydrological, and sanitary engineering aspects.
• Oversee daily operation and maintenance activities of water and sewerage systems, ensuring high reliability, reduced downtime, and efficiency.
• Conduct flow measurement studies, leak detection audits, and system diagnostics to support non-revenue water reduction efforts.
• Conduct on-site inspections to assess technical requirements, troubleshoot operational issues, and propose practical engineering solutions.

Project & Procurement Coordination

• Coordinate closely with project and procurement teams to ensure timely acquisition and delivery of parts, equipment, and materials.
• Support the Head in contractor management and supervision during project implementation.
• Monitor progress on active projects and maintenance activities, maintaining up-to-date records and documentation.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure strict adherence to national regulations, environmental standards, and internal safety policies.
• Support audit processes and maintain accurate documentation for regulatory and operational compliance.
• Develop and maintain asset management databases and maintenance logs.

Team Capacity & Technical Training

• Mentor junior engineers and field technicians on best practices in water and sanitation operations.
• Contribute to building team capacity through technical workshops, SOP development, and performance monitoring.

Innovation & Systems Improvement

• Lead the identification and implementation of innovative technologies and practices to improve water and sanitation service delivery.
• Evaluate and recommend smart water management systems, including SCADA, IoT sensors, and GIS-based monitoring tools.

 Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze system performance data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for optimization.
• Prepare technical reports, dashboards, and presentations for internal stakeholders and regulatory bodies.

Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship

• Promote sustainable water use practices and support initiatives aimed at water conservation and environmental protection.
• Collaborate with environmental teams to ensure water and wastewater operations align with sustainability goals.

Policy & Standards Development

• Contribute to the development and periodic review of internal engineering standards, operational procedures, and emergency response protocols.
• Support the Head of Utilities in drafting policy recommendations and compliance frameworks.

Risk Management & Emergency Planning

• Develop and maintain contingency plans for water supply disruptions, infrastructure failures, or environmental incidents.
• Conduct risk assessments and scenario planning for critical infrastructure.

Requirements

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in civil, Water, or Environmental Engineering. A Master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in water infrastructure projects, including at least 5 years in operation and maintenance roles.
• Strong technical knowledge in hydraulic design, water/sewer system diagnostics, and field engineering.
• Proven experience supporting large-scale infrastructure teams or high-level technical leads.
• Proficient in engineering software such as EPANET, WaterGEMS, AutoCAD, and MS Project.