Officer, Engineering (Field Technician)

About Evidence Action

At Evidence Action, we deliver data-driven interventions that transform lives at an unprecedented scale. We identify neglected global health issues and deploy proven solutions, forging healthier futures for generations.

Our model operationalizes leading academic research (including from Nobel-winning economists). We measure progress and outcomes at every stage to ensure we’re making a real impact for people living in poverty and suffering from preventable or treatable health issues. Operating across 9 countries, our team of 800+ has reached over 500 million people, working closely with governments to scale these interventions.

• Our Deworm the World program has delivered over 2 billion treatments, significantly reducing worm prevalence and generating more than $23 billion in lifetime productivity gains.
• Through Safe Water Now, we’ve saved the lives of over 15,000 children.
• Our Accelerator explores untapped opportunities in global health, testing low-cost interventions with the greatest potential to save and improve lives.

At Evidence Action, your colleagues are your greatest asset. You’ll partner with high-caliber colleagues in an environment blending innovation, autonomy, and teamwork. Our team excels in disruptive thinking and believes in rolling up our sleeves to get things done. If you’re looking to work flexibly and with purpose, join a team that delivers measurable change for millions.

About the Safe Water Now Program

Our flagship Dispensers for Safe Water (DSW) provides safe drinking water to over 10 million people across rural Malawi, Uganda, and Kenya. Recent evidence highlights that water treatment reduces all-cause child mortality by about 25%. Evidence Action’s designs deliver safe water at the source in rural settings through its established Dispensers for Safe Water (DSW) and newly launched In-Line Chlorination (ILC) interventions. Over the past year, we’ve more than doubled our footprint in East Africa and are exploring expansion into new countries, as well as developing an innovation agenda through our Accelerator process to develop the next generation of safe water programs.

The Role

This position is a field-based position, which plays an important role as an interface between the community and the program in ensuring the successful management of the ongoing activities i.e. dispenser hardware maintenance and repairs. The officer reports to the Area Coordinator.

Duties and responsibilities

• Conduct in-field and office device hardware retrofits i.e. casings, tanks and valve repairs to reduce costs incurred on dispenser hardware.

• Undertake dispenser re-installations and maintenance in a timely and quality manner.
• Collect and send device upgrade data for device repair, maintenance and re-installation undertaken.
• Work hand in hand with plumbers on materials needed to install ILC device at site
• Regular support and updating of engineering team and the area coordinator on the issues that are experienced in the field after undertaking device hardware spot checks and maintenance.

• Regularly update the area coordinator and engineering team on the status of the various device parts especially during the trial test of hardware.
  Suggest best ways to install ILC device according to nature of water source and its particular tank
• Tracking of hardware that DSW tests in the field, by maintain all records of the same and sharing regular progress reports to the area coordinator.
• Support in the assembly of new hardware as requested.
• Maintain hardware inventory for all device parts and repair/retrofit tools within their office/hub and advice team on new order needs.
• Advise and update the field teams on any new developments/improvements/innovations from the engineering and vice versa.
• Engaging community and the local stakeholders for sensitization and messaging on device usage to ensure device security and vandalism cases.
• Support implementation of ongoing activities within field officessuch as chlorine deliveries, quality data collection and submission and hardware maintenance.
• Manage, train, Supervise, mentor, shadow and coach Officers-Program and HSAs in the execution of their duties
• Utilize/manage well any funds allocated to them for facilitating field work or engineering activities in line with the finance policy
• Effectively use any allocated motorcycles with close attention on maintenance and repair costs
• Developing weekly work plans and reports for field activities
• Other duties and responsibilities as delegated by the Associate Coordinator.

Qualifications

• Diploma in mechanical engineering or general fitting with some relevant experience, building and construction, plumbing, welding or any other related vocational skills.
• Certificate in community development or equivalent with experience in the DSW program is an added advantage.
• Able to use Engineering hand tools and safe operation i.e, hand drilling machine, rivet gun, hacksaw
• Computer literacy and knowledge in stock management is an added advantage
• 1-2 years’ experience working with communities or social enterprises/NGOs
• Motorcycle riding skills/experience with a valid riding license from a recognized driving school.

Closing date for receiving applications will be on Friday 7th February 2025 by 5pm but shortlisting will be done on rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Equal Opportunity Statement

At Evidence Action, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusivity in our workforce. We believe in creating a workplace that is free from discrimination and where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

We do not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply for this position at Evidence Action, regardless of their background or personal characteristics. We are committed to providing a fair and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal access and consideration for all applicants. We strive to foster an environment that embraces diversity, respects individual differences, and promotes a culture of inclusion. By embracing a diverse workforce, we believe we can better serve our mission to use evidence to improve global wellbeing.