IRRIGATION ENGINEER (Internal)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is implementing building self-sustaining farmer managed solar irrigation models for resilience in Bokolmayo Woreda of Somali region, the objective of this project is to enhance the livelihood, resilience, and food security of vulnerable communities, strengthen the adaptive capacities of communities, ecosystems, and systems, to reduce aid dependency by enabling program participants to become more self-reliant; and to demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of this integrated approach to bring it to scale. this project funded by World Food Program (WFP), with duration of one year in the inception period and three more years implementation period, this project will be targeting 3600 communities from Bokolmayo woreda of Somali region of Ethiopia.

General Position Summary

The Irrigation Engineer is responsible for providing technical oversight to all irrigation, agriculture and land use-related activities. These activities should be in line with government land use policies, Mercy Corps strategic plan, and agriculture strategies. 

Essential Job Responsibilities

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Advise on the technical/socio-technical diagnosis of irrigated agriculture production technologies and systems, and the design of appropriate irrigation and agronomic interventions.
• Develop a coordinated approach for the utilization of surface water and groundwater resources for climate smart irrigation in a sustainable manner.
• Independently design and conduct field level monitoring for construction supervision and overall contract administration.
• Identify and proposes technical process improvements to the project team.
• Advise on technical and social aspects of agricultural production activities in the program to promote rural rehabilitation and secure the livelihoods of farmers and villagers with improved irrigation technologies and practices.
• Lead capacity building of partners on irrigated agriculture
• Develop, together with the community, site improvement plans for water and small-scale irrigation schemes (including local agreements on maintenance and water access)
• Oversee and ensure the necessary technical knowledge is provided to recipients
• In conjunction with the other Irrigation and Agriculture Advisors in the sector, be responsible for offering extension services to farmers to help improvement of food access and livelihoods with a more diversified income sources and capital assets.
• Review training materials and courses designed by the Community Mobilization training team for farmers in the field of orchard production, nursery management and drought mitigation. Ensure technical aspects of the training programs are sound and appropriate to the target populations. When the security situation allows it, perform training sessions in the field and provide TOT to Community Mobilizers and Agriculture Officers in coordination with the Program Manager.
• Excellent communication skills with a variety of people from household communities, extension workers and private businesses to government representatives and academics; and
• Liaise closely with project team, government stakeholders and WFP team in strategizing developing production and marketing techniques for this program. Review work plans and methodology for maximum impact and effectiveness in consideration of growing conditions of the south, market, prices, and availability of specific crops.
• Liaise closely with the Horticulture Manager to ensure best practice in nurseries and sapling distribution activities. Review and advise on strategies in regard to cash values of fruit trees and growing conditions.
• Conduct and track a routine, market survey in the south to better define marketing strategies of vegetables and fruits. Document and file surveys for easy access.
• Produce narrative reports including spreadsheets reflecting asset distributions, geographic area, number of beneficiaries and any other information relevant to the programme in reporting formats provided by Team Leaders.
• Assist the ministerial and provincial authorities in developing the teaching curricula of the Agricultural school.
• Coordinate with others in issues related to office administration, finance, staff performance, and activity planning in order to achieve programme targets.
• Provide written and oral translation and report writing for program staff, as necessary.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning 

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility

Work closely with project officers and community facilitators  

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Project Manager

Works Directly With: Agri-livestock coordinator, other different sectors of IFTIIN project, operations, finance in Dollo Field office

Knowledge and Experience

• BSc degree in Civil Engineering/Irrigation Engineering/Hydraulic or Water Resource Engineering with min. 5 years’ experience in water and irrigation project management
• At least 5 years of experience focused in comprehensive design and management of irrigation systems and technologies.
• Proven knowledge and experience in undertaking activities aimed at water and irrigation facility construction, rehabilitation, and upgrading project implementation
• Experience in project management related to agriculture is essential and in particular knowledge of planting, grafting and harvesting orchards and fruit trees, irrigation systems, nut production, types of seeds, and fertilizers.
• Ability to translate technical expertise into simple messages that can be communicates to medium- and small-size landowners and small farmers.
• Training skills are a strong asset.
• Experience in applying geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing tools, methods and datasets for mapping watershed development and climate-related impacts on agricultural water productivity.

Success Factors

Define the specific behavior and attitudes critical to success in the position at time of hire and as it develops over time in paragraph form (soft skills).

Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Social Inclusion

• Understand and be aware GDI related priorities of the country office and contribute to the realization of priorities (continually work to understand and be aware of the gender diversity and inclusion priorities of the country office and contribute to the execution)
• Promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in day-to-day interaction with team members, partners, and program participants.

Accountability to Beneficiaries  

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Influence and Representation

• Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments, and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment.

Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.