Irrigation Engineer

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OF IRRIGATION
PROGRAMME FOR RURAL IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
RECRUITMENT OF IRRIGATION ENGINEER (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

1.0 Background

The Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Agriculture with support from International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is implementing the Programme for Rural Irrigation Development (PRIDE), PRIDE aims at reducing vulnerability to food insecurity, climate change effects and vagaries of the market. The Programme development objective is to enable smallholder farmers to sustainably enhance their production levels to such a degree that they can provide for their household nutritional demands and deliver produce to viable markets. PRIDE will achieve these objectives by providing smallholder farm households a combination of i) irrigation, soil and water conservation infrastructures; (ii) promotion of good agricultural practices; and (iii) linkage to improved value chains.

PRIDE will engage in approximately 11 cluster scheme areas. The pre-selected cluster scheme areas are located in the eight districts of Chitipa, Rumphi, Nkhatabay, Dowa, Zomba Machinga and Phalombe. In order to address rain-fed and irrigated elements of the farming system, PRIDE will engage with the villages clustered around the irrigation schemes earmarked for the Programme.

The Ministry of Agriculture, through the Department of Irrigation, as the implementing agency would like to engage the services of the Irrigation Engineer (individual consultant) to assist, facilitate and coordinate the implementation of activities under the programme.

2.0 Tasks and Responsibilities

The Irrigation Engineer will work closely with the Project Coordinator and will have technical responsibility for the implementation of irrigation activities of the project. He/she will also work closely with the other government professional and technical staff assigned to the project and with the Consultants/Contractors and other Government institutions involved in the project. He/she should have a background in irrigation engineering with extensive experience in planning, design, supervision and construction of medium to larger scale irrigation and drainage infrastructures in Malawi or similar environment.

The Irrigation Engineer shall ensure that all technical engineering related issues connected with the smooth implementation of the project are promptly addressed and that issues of concern are brought to the attention of the Director of Irrigation Services through Project Coordinator for action.

The specific duties will include, but not limited, to:

• Oversee all feasibility studies, planning, design, technical implementation, operation and maintenance aspects of infrastructure development of the project;
• Check and review all technical aspects of the irrigation systems, structural designs and relevant data to ensure that the designs are adequate, complete and in compliance with recognized technical and environmental standards;
• Coordinate the preparation of final designs, bills of quantities, tender documents and all associated drawings;
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and supporting documentation;
• Ensure that proposed environmental mitigation measures are included in irrigation project designs and are implemented during and after construction;
• Facilitate development of manuals for engineering training activities for staff and farmers;
• Participate in the selection of consultants/ contractors/ suppliers to be engaged in the project.
• Prepare annual work plans and budgets;
• Assume responsibility for supervision of all construction works and services;
• Participate in analysing and vetting all progress reports from the consultant and contractor, before submission to the Project Coordinator;
• Vet and authenticate all payment certificates and claims originated by the contractor/ consultant, prior to submission to the Director of Irrigation Services through Project Coordinator;
• Analyse, vet and authenticate all variation orders before approval by the Project Coordinator;
• Maintain records of actual engineering costs incurred and production of forecasts of final costs;
• Facilitate production of as-built drawings
• Participate in site meetings;
• Carry out other duties as may be assigned by the Director of Irrigation Services through the Project Coordinator from time to time.

3.0 Qualifications and Experience

• At least a Master’s Degree or Equivalent in Irrigation/ Civil/ Agricultural Engineering with a minimum of 5 years postgraduate experience in carrying out feasibility studies, planning, detailed designs and construction supervision for irrigation/ drainage and water related projects.
• He/she should have at least 5 years practical experience in design and supervision of irrigation and drainage / water related infrastructure works.
• The Irrigation Engineer should have good communication and reporting writing skills.
• He/she should have full practical knowledge of Microsoft projects / Spreadsheets and relevant computer software commonly used in feasibility studies and design of irrigation and drainage infrastructures.
• Experience in survey and design, quality control, construction management and ability to train other persons; proven track record of successful implementation of projects of similar scope and magnitude is a prerequisite.

4.0 Location of Employment
The stated individual consultants will be based at Project Coordination Offices within Department of Irrigation Headquarters Lilongwe, but will be required to travel regularly and extensively to the project areas and work closely with the divisional/ regional/ district staff and communities to ensure that progress follows project plans and that appropriate support is provided for project implementation.

5.0 Duration of Employment
The assignment is for 24 months (2 years) with an initial contract period of 12 months. The appointment will be extended subject to annual satisfactory performance.

6.0 Method of application
Suitably qualified and experienced candidates should send their application letters enclosing detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV), plus names of three (3) traceable referees not later than 30th November, 2024 to the address in Paragraph 16 (hand delivery or email)

7.0 Address of submission

The Director of Irrigation Services
Department of Irrigation Headquarters
Off Paul Kagame Road – Opposite NACIT
P. O. Box 30797
Capital City
LILONGWE 3.
(Attention: Principal Human Resources Management Officer)
Or through email to: ifadpridemanager@gmail.com