SNV Laos seeks a Civil Engineer to support on WASH activities of the ENUFF project

About SNV

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation that applies practical knowledge to make a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty. We use our extensive and long-term in-country presence to apply and adapt our expertise in agri-food, energy, and water systems to local contexts. SNV has over 1,600 staff in more than 20 countries in Asia and Africa. We are proud to be a not-for-profit organisation that uses project financing to implement our mission. This requires us to work efficiently and invest in operational excellence.

SNV's 2030 strategy aims to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through effective programme delivery and influencing, with a central focus on transforming agri-food, energy, and water systems to enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all. We position ourselves as a learning organisation striving for excellence and invest in making knowledge flow to and from the frontline.

For more information on SNV, visit our website: www.snv.org.

Project Background

Enhancing Nutrition of Upland Farming Families (ENUFF) is a project funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation. The goal of the project is to improve family and child nutrition in remote and ethnically diverse upland farming communities through improved feeding, caregiving, and dietary practices, reduced incidence of WASH-related diseases linked to malnutrition, improved availability and accessibility of diverse nutritious foods, and a conducive institutional framework at the sub-national level.

The project's second phase is being implemented in two districts in Houaphan and two in Oudomxay provinces from July 2020 to June 2024. ENUFF Phase I has implemented a series of interventions in nutrition-sensitive agriculture and social behaviour change and communication in nutrition and WASH through District Nutrition Teams and Village Nutrition Teams. Phase II of the project has continued these interventions with a higher focus on improving the nutrition of women and children. In this phase, the project is giving special attention to improving the rehabilitation of water systems and WASH in schools and health centres.

https://snv.org/project/enhancing-nutrition-upland-farming-families-enuff 

The ENUFF project is committed to improving water systems and sanitation status in household and community in project target villages, including Health Centres and Schools to ensure that all community members have access to safe water, improved hygiene, and improved health and well-being of their families and the community.

The rehabilitation of water schemes aimed to support the villagers to access enough water for domestic use, including dry season, especially for cooking, cleaning toilet, hand washing with soap and other personal hygiene activities.

In this context, SNV Laos is recruiting one civil engineer with WASH background to improve water and sanitation in the target villages with a special focus on the rehabilitation of water systems and WASH in schools and health centres. The position will be based in Vientiane Capital, with frequent travel to the project sites. The position will be supervised by the WASH Component Leader and the CTA of the project.

Key Responsibilities

• Detailed assessment of the current water system in the villages.
• Suggest and design rehabilitation and/or alternative systems to improve safe water supply in the project's target villages, including construction design drawings (floor plans, sections, elevations, etc.) and calculations.
• Facilitate signing an agreement of cooperation with the village and district authorities to implement the improvement plan, including the construction of facilities.
• Prepare Bills of Quantities, Scope of Work, Construction Bidding Documents, procurement and transportation of material to the sites.
• Supervise quality control of the construction/rehabilitation of gravity-fed water systems, storage facilities, handwashing stations and toilets in line with (inter) national norms.
• Support organising and strengthening village water management committees through training and mentoring.
• Facilitate development and implementation of village water safety plan
• Conduct training on the operation and maintenance of the water system before and after the construction.
• Follow up on operation and maintenance of water systems and facilities.
• Support in periodic planning and reporting of WASH activities.

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from a recognised University.
• Five years of work experience in construction, including survey, design, BOQ and supervision.
• Experience implementing Rural Water Systems and WASH activities in communities, schools, and health centres.
• Knowledge of and experience in farmer training on water management, including operation and maintenance of water schemes.
• Demonstrable capacity to design and implement contextual interventions in improving WASH in communities, schools and health centres, including constructing water reserve tanks for dry season.
• Pro-active attitude and results oriented but also patient and have the ability to work well in cross-cultural teams.
• Good English language (spoken and written).
• Ability to write clear, effective project reports.
• Knowledge of Autocad and any other software for structural design
• Good computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)

Terms of Appointment

This is a full-time national position with the successful candidate being contracted on a one-year basis with the possibility of renewal. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.  A pension plan and medical insurance are included in the benefits package. Desired start date for this position is as soon as possible.

The duty location is Vientiane Capital, with frequent travel to target districts and villages.

SNV is a global organisation committed to bringing together different people, ideas, and perspectives different. We especially invite women to submit their applications to increase the number of women in SNV leadership positions.  

Key Steps in the Selection Process

1. If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV (not more than three pages with three referees) and motivation letter (not more than 1 page) by clicking on the "I'm interested" button on or before 17 July 2023. 
2. We will require you to provide us with the details of three people willing to act as referees.  We will not contact these referees without your explicit permission. Please note that reference checks may be conducted before the selection decision.
3. Should SNV wish to proceed with your application, two interviews with the Selection Committee will occur. 
4. After your interviews with the Selection Committee, we will advise you of the Committee's decision as soon as possible.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.