This post will be based in Upper West Region and no relocation allowance will be provided.

Position Summary

The Water Catchment, Storage and Irrigation project is an applied research, pilot project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through the Grand Challenges Exploration program.

The goal of this pilot is to identify technologies that will allow women in northern Ghana to extend the season during which they can grow food for their families, thus improving household food security.

To achieve this goal, the project will test a range of household scale water catchment and storage systems that can be combined with irrigation systems.  At least two systems that pass initial tests will then be user-tested through installation in homes of volunteers.  The project team will engage private suppliers of equipment and components at each stage of the project with the aim of stimulating commercial distribution of successfully tested systems to communities across northern Ghana.

The Project Technical Lead will provide overall management and implementation of this 18-month pilot project.  The Project Technical Lead will supervise the work of a Technical Officer and will carry out the administrative and financial management duties of the project.  This full time, 18-month position reports directly to the North American Project Manager and keeps the MEDA Ghana Country Project Manager regularly informed of project progress.

Duties

•   Develop project work plan with specific milestones that will lead to achievement of project goals
•   Investigate existing technologies both through literature review as well as exploration of water development innovation across Ghana.
•   Identify technologies to be tested
•   Carry out the initial tests, documenting all aspects – including a)cost/benefit of each model, b)ability of women to manage and maintain, c)effectiveness of catchment and storage, d)ease of integration with irrigation systems, e)availability of equipment, etc.
•   Recruit women volunteers for phase two testing of systems in household settings. Provide practical training on system installation, maintenance and management.
•   Build relationships with private sector suppliers and women farmers to cultivate linkages and distribution networks that will provide these technologies to women and ensure that women understand their management and use.
•   Develop relationships with community leaders, women’s groups, relevant government representatives, community-based organizations other INGO experts, etc. to build understanding of water catchment and storage options and to stimulate broad adoption.
•   Develop tools and process to monitor success of the pilot project against objectives.
•   Document the outcomes of all tests, share lessons learned and promote the distribution and use of effective systems.
•   Supervise the work of the Technical Officer. Ensuring the two-person team works closely together to achieve the project objectives within the short timeframe.
•   Maintain complete financial records for the project, document all expenses and provide regular financial reports to the MEDA Ghana Country Project Manager.
•   Report regularly to the Project Manager

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Experience with rainwater catchment and harvesting technologies
•   Demonstrated self- starter, willing to take initiative and innovate to meet the objectives of an assignment.
•   Practical construction experience
•   Experience working on women-focused programs.
•   Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Management, Business, or other related field.
•   Minimum of 5 years’ experience in finding solutions to challenges of water catchment, storage and distribution.
•   Private sector experience an advantage.
•   Appreciation and support of MEDA’s faith, values and goals

Location: Upper West Region

How To Apply For The Job

Please submit letter of application and resume to:-

lkadiri@meda.org

Closing Date: 18 November, 2013

Please do not submit application if you do not meet the qualifications as stated.