Watershed Engineer (Subject to donor approval)

Mission East is an international relief and development organisation founded in Denmark. We work to create hope, dignity and new beginnings. Every day and when crisis strikes.
We work closely with local communities in some of the world's most vulnerable, dangerous and hard-to-reach areas. We go the extra mile to reach the people who are most often overlooked. With our work, we restore their dignity, strengthen their resilience and promote justice, for the benefit of both people and our planet.
Mission East is active in 10 countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Lebanon, Nepal, Nigeria, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Chad and Ukraine. Here, we and our local partners support the most vulnerable people in lifting them out of crises, poverty and marginalisation. 

Visit our home page to know more about our work.

You can also read this to get insight in how it is to work at Mission East; and you can find us on Linkedin.

Scope of the Role:

• Reporting to Project Coordinator to ensure the quality of program implementation, accountability, donor compliances and reporting in line with the Missions East country strategies, vision, mission and values and/or as per donor required standards.  

• Participating in field assessments from an engineering perspective, data collection, and providing support to targeted stakeholders, including direct project beneficiaries, in the capacity of a field engineer and EWS Technical Trainer. 

• Lead site selection, field assessments, surveys, implementation and technical measurements for watershed management activities.
  
  

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

 A Field Engineer in watershed management is responsible for supervising and monitoring field activities related to irrigation canal rehabilitation, check-dam construction, and trench digging to ensure quality and compliance with technical designs. The role includes conducting site assessments, overseeing labour and daily construction activities, ensuring proper use of materials, monitoring progress, maintaining safety standards, and coordinating with communities and project teams for effective implementation of watershed and natural resource management activities.

He/ She also coordinates Watershed and construction activities with staff of other thematic programs, operational support units, and with project beneficiaries, community members, CDC members/elders/Maliks and Arbabs and local authorities and report to project coordinator.

Program Management:

The key responsibilities of a field engineer in watershed management including Cash for Work (CFW) activities usually include the following:

• Conduct field assessments, surveys, and technical measurements for watershed management activities.
• Support planning, design, and implementation of soil and water conservation structures.
• Supervise construction and rehabilitation of watershed infrastructures such as check dams, irrigation canals, terraces, water harvesting systems, and retaining walls.
• Monitor project activities to ensure quality standards, technical specifications, and environmental safeguards are followed.
• Provide technical guidance and on-site support to contractors, skilled laborers, and community groups.
• Prepare work plans, progress reports, BOQs, and technical documentation.
• Coordinate with local authorities, community leaders, and project teams during implementation.
• Ensure proper use of materials, tools, and resources at field level.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits and identify technical challenges and recommend solutions.
• Support community awareness and capacity-building activities related to watershed management and natural resource protection.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, safeguarding, and organizational policies during field activities.
• Contribute to field technical survey and need assessments, feasibility studies and design of infrastructures and engineering component as well as other relevant activities under FAO project and program activities within cluster or other program area on request of Mission East.
• Contribute to technical drawings, estimation and BoQ preparation of all program infrastructures.
• Contribute to detailed implementation plan and project documentations.
• Contribute to watershed master plan and its implementation.
• Support preparation of field level MOUs with the support of Project Coordinator, handover, and other agreements for program components infrastructures.
• Contribute in emergency assessment and responses in case of emergency cases for timely and effective response.
• Contribute in assessments, data collection and coordination for development of new proposal on request of Mission East

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Monitor watershed management and related construction activities in the field
• Supervise irrigation canal rehabilitation, check-dam construction, and trench digging activities
• Ensure work is implemented according to technical designs and project standards
• Conduct regular site inspections and monitor daily progress
• Verify quality of construction materials and workmanship
• Identify technical issues and recommend corrective actions
• Ensure environmental protection and safety measures are followed
• Ensure accountability, inclusion, environmental protection, protection mainstreaming and gender principles are effectively integrated into project implementation.
• Coordinate with communities, contractors, and project teams
• Prepare field monitoring reports and progress updates
• Support proper documentation of completed activities

Miscellaneous: -

• Comply with MEED policies and practices, especially with respect to PSEA, child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, and equality.
• Any other tasks assigned by line manager to achieve the objectives of position

Education:

Degree in Civil Engineer (Watershed/Infrastructure), Irrigation Engineer , Natural Resource Management (NRM) Engineer, or related field preferred.

Experience:  

At least 4 years progressively responsible work experience in the area with international humanitarian organizations, particularly with UN funded programs.

Technical Skills: 

• Fluency in Dari, and Pashto (speaking, reading, writing) and good command over English (speaking, reading, writing)
• Knowledge of spoken and written English
• Good computer knowledge
• Local social experience and knowledge
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and rules to guide NGO actions.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions, tight deadlines and sometimes odd hours as required.
• Experience in watershed management and related activities.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, stressful environment;
• Must be flexible, willing to perform other duties and work irregular hours.
• Good communication skills, and conflict resolution skill is highly recommended.
• Understanding of safeguarding principles, including:
• Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
• Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
• Child protection
• Protection mainstreaming
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles and accountability mechanisms.
• Experience conducting awareness sessions and community sensitization.
• Ability to handle complaints and feedback mechanisms confidentially and ethically.
• Skills in risk identification, monitoring, and reporting safeguarding concerns

OTHER criteria:

• Ability to work long and odd hours, including weekends.
• Understand confidentiality.
• Exposure to local dynamics of different districts in Takhar, and experience of leading projects in those areas will be added advantage.