WASH Technical Design Engineer

Established in 1991 by a group of educated Afghan women in exile, the Afghan Women's Educational Center (AWEC) is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, nonpolitical, and nongovernmental organization dedicated to advocating for and raising awareness about the rights of women and children in Islam.

Our core activities focus on empowering women, eliminating violence, and increasing women's participation in both domestic and societal spheres.

With over three decades of experience, AWEC possesses a profound understanding of Afghanistan's socioeconomic, cultural, and political landscape. We are recognized as a leading organization that addresses the diverse needs of various communities, which are shaped by numerous social and economic factors.

Since 2002, AWEC has collaborated with women and communities to enhance access to education, health, and vocational services in Afghanistan. Our initiatives extend to livelihood improvement, protection, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), humanitarian aid, grant management, capacity building, social rehabilitation, cohesion, and justice. AWEC has successfully implemented projects in Logar, Faryab, Kapisa, Khost, Panjshir, Wardak, Kabul, Balkh, Herat, Nangarhar, Kandahar, Badakhshan, Parwan, Paktia, Paktika, Laghman, Nuristan, and Bamyan provinces, maintaining an active presence in Kabul, Balkh, Herat, Nangarhar, Kandahar, Badakhshan, Parwan, Paktia, Paktika, Laghman, Nuristan, and Bamyan.

Our vision in AWEC is “an inclusive and just society with sensitized and responsive public and private sector, where all women and children have access to opportunities to improve their quality of life in order to realize their full potential”.

AWEC has zero tolerance approach to the AWEC Code of Conduct including safeguarding, SH, and Fraud violations being committed by its staff, consultants, contractors, volunteers, interns, suppliers, vendors, sub-grantees/partners, implementing partners or any other associate.

Under DAWAM project's phase III – Year 4, AWEC plans to implement WASH infrastructure interventions in four Health Care Facilities (HCFs) and up to 20 community water supply networks across three districts of Nangarhar Province. Where the planned water supply networks are not available or do not meet the selection criteria, rehabilitation and cleaning of existing wells may be considered, subject to project needs and budget availability.

To ensure that all infrastructure interventions are technically sound, cost-effective, sustainable, and compliant with national and international standards, AWEC seeks to recruit two qualified WASH Technical Design Engineers to conduct assessments, surveys, technical designs, and preparation of engineering documents for the planned interventions.

Responsibilities:

1.Needs Assessment and Site Investigation

Conduct field visits to all selected Health Care Facilities and targeted community water supply systems.

Carry out comprehensive assessments of existing WASH infrastructure and identify priority rehabilitation and construction needs.

Assess technical feasibility, site conditions, environmental considerations, accessibility, and operational sustainability of proposed interventions.

Document findings and provide recommendations for appropriate infrastructure improvements.

2. Technical Survey and Engineering Analysis

Conduct detailed engineering surveys, measurements, GPS data collection, and condition assessments of existing infrastructure.

Assess existing water supply systems, sanitation facilities, wastewater management systems, and healthcare waste management facilities.

Analyze survey findings and provide practical engineering solutions based on identified needs and project priorities.

3. Engineering Design and Technical Documentation

Prepare detailed engineering designs, drawings, plans, sections, elevations, and technical specifications for all proposed WASH interventions. The design package may include, but is not limited to:

a. Water supply systems and networks

b. Wells and associated water infrastructure

c. Toilets and sanitation facilities

d. Septic tanks

e. Wastewater management systems

f. Handwashing facilities

g. Ash pits, sharps pits, and placenta pits

h. Incinerators

i. Waste collection and management facilities

j. Solar-powered water supply systems

k. Rehabilitation of existing WASH infrastructure

Ensure all designs are technically sound, cost-effective, inclusive, climate-resilient, and suitable for local conditions.

Ensure compliance with Engineering standards and relevant guidelines issued by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), WHO, UNICEF, and Sphere Standards.

4. Bill of Quantities (BoQ) and Cost Estimation

Prepare detailed Bills of Quantities (BoQs) for each intervention.

Prepare quantity take-off sheets and volume calculations.

Conduct market assessments to determine prevailing material and labor costs.

Develop accurate cost estimates that align with available project budgets and current market rates.

5. Stakeholder Coordination and Design Revision

Coordinate with AWEC, relevant government authorities, donors, and other stakeholders throughout the design process.

Present and explain technical designs, drawings, and BoQs when required.

Revise and update designs, drawings, specifications, and BoQs based on comments and feedback received from stakeholders.

Incorporate all agreed comments until final approval of the design package.

6. Reporting and Deliverables

The consultant shall provide:

a. Inception and assessment report for each targeted site.

b. Detailed site survey reports and findingss.

c. Existing-condition photographs and documentation.

d. Complete engineering design package, including:

Site plans and existing buildings plans of HCFs.

Layout drawings.

Detailed engineering drawings.

Sections and construction detailss.

7. Technical specifications:

Detailed Bills of Quantities (BoQs).

Quantity take-off and volume calculation sheets.

Market assessment report for construction materials and labor costs.

Final design package incorporating all approved comments and revisions.

Final assignment completion report.

Education and Experience:

A minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Water Supply Engineering or in civil engineering.

A minimum of 7 years of overall professional experience with at least 5 years of proven experience in the design of WASH infrastructure projects.

Demonstrated experience in water supply, sanitation, wastewater management, and healthcare WASH infrastructure design with NGOs, UN agencies, or donor-funded projects is preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

Proficiency in AutoCAD, WaterCAD, WaterGEMS, GIS/GPS applications, and other relevant engineering software.

Strong skills in engineering design, quantity surveying, cost estimation, and technical documentation.

Knowledge of national and international WASH standards and guidelines.

Computer Skills.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Language Skills.

Good command of English, both written and spoken.

Fluency in local languages (Pashto and/or Dari) is an asset.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Excellent communication and coordination abilities.

Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Commitment to quality, accuracy, and professional integrity.