Engineering Officer (Field Technician) - Water Infrastructure

About the role

Evidence Action's Safe Water Now program distributes chlorine dispensers and In-Line Chlorination (ILC) devices to communities. The Officer, Engineering (Field Technician) is the main technical presence for this infrastructure, keeping dispensers and ILC devices functional, well maintained and trusted by users. The role covers the full hardware lifecycle, from preventive maintenance and repairs to retrofits, re-installations and field testing, and includes supervising Community Service Assistants. It is a hands-on, mobile position based in Jinja, Mbale or nearby districts, with regular travel to field sites.

Key responsibilities

• Repair, retrofit and re-install chlorine dispenser components (casings, tanks, valves) in the field and at workshops
• Carry out regular spot checks of hardware and escalate faults so they are resolved within agreed timelines
• Support assembly and field testing of new hardware, keep test records and report progress to the Engineering team and Area Coordinator
• Maintain an accurate inventory of parts and tools and flag reorder needs early
• Collect and submit complete data for every repair, maintenance action and re-installation, and develop weekly work plans and field reports
• Check ongoing field activities by physical and phone back-checks
• Engage communities on correct dispenser use, chlorine safety and protection of infrastructure from vandalism and theft
• Act as a communication link between Engineering, implementation staff and communities
• Supervise, mentor and coach Community Service Assistants, support field office activities such as chlorine deliveries and QA data collection, manage allocated funds and maintain assigned motorcycles

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Water Resources Engineering, Water Technology, Hydrology, Water & Sanitation Technology, Civil Engineering (water/structural bias), Plumbing or Environmental Engineering, or an Advanced Diploma with at least 3 years of directly relevant field experience
• At least 2 years of field-based technical work with communities or NGOs, especially in water systems, WASH programs or infrastructure maintenance
• Experience installing, maintaining or troubleshooting water treatment systems; plumbing skills are mandatory
• Motorcycle riding experience of 1.5 years with a licence
• Willingness to live in Eastern Uganda (Busoga or Bumasaba regions) and travel regularly to field sites
• Must be legally authorized to work in Uganda; the organization cannot sponsor employment visas

Required skills

• Electronic data collection platforms, ODK and Survey CTO preferred
• Strong attention to detail in data collection and adherence to measurement protocols
• Ability to work independently in the field and troubleshoot technical issues with minimal supervision
• Good English; proficiency in the local language of the target area is an advantage

What we offer

• Health insurance covering self and dependents
• Pension/retirement savings options
• Paid leave
• Avenues for engagement and recognition