Engineer / component manager, water & sanitation

Job Title: Engineer / Component Manager, Water & Sanitation
Location: Chisinau, Moldova
Duration: Full Time or Part-time depending on the candidate preference and project needs (Project duration until 2028)

Profile: Engineer, Task Manager, Component Manager, or Project Manager with a background in the water or sanitation sector, including hands-on fieldwork experience and the ability to work autonomously.

Background:

Fundația Centrul Moldo-Elvețian pentru Cooperare SKAT (SKAT Moldova) is the implementing entity in the Republic of Moldova of donor-funded projects of SKAT Consulting Ltd., a Swiss consulting firm. Currently, SKAT implements in Moldova two large projects in the area of local government reform (Swiss-financed) and Water and Sanitation Services in rural areas (Austrian-financed). Related to these large projects which have a duration of 4 and more years each, there is one smaller contract (Energy Efficiency in rural areas, until December 2024) and we expect the commencement of another project (focusing on water supply and energy efficiency) in the third quarter of 2024.

About the project and the position:

For a multi-year water and sanitation project in Moldova (ApaSan28), funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Skat Consulting Ltd. is recruiting a Component Manager, Water & Sanitation. This new project is a continuation of the successful initiatives ApaSan (2009-2019) and ApaSan+ (2020-2024) led by Skat Consulting Ltd.
The ApaSan28 project aims to address rural sanitation challenges, provide safe drinking water, and promote sustainable decentralized WASH management in Moldova. It targets to enhance the living conditions of rural Moldovan populations by ensuring year-round access to safe drinking water and household sanitation and has an implementation phase of 4 years (May 2024 – April 2028). The project will work together with local public authorities and regional operators and aims to work towards the recognition of decentralized and safely managed sanitation options by authorities as viable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solutions for sanitation in rural Moldova.

Key Responsibilities:
The Component Manager, Water & Sanitation will be responsible for the successful implementation of the Project.

Key responsibilities include:
- Planning, coordination, and execution of project activities in accordance with the project proposal and donor requirements.
- Developing autonomously water and sanitation projects in the field. A minimum understanding about water/sanitation/construction works will be required.
- Field visits to rural areas performed autonomously (licence and ability to drive cars with manual gear is required)
- Maintaining a close collaboration with the Team Leader
- Develop and implement project concepts and strategies, in cooperation with the Team Leader and/or external experts.
- Adherence to the relevant procedures, rules and regulations
- Facilitation of seminars, workshops and study tours.
- Contribute to the elaboration of all required progress reports and any other documents mentioned in the Project Document.
- Participate in related steering and/or coordination bodies as required.
- Building and keeping relationships and networking with project partners, main sector stakeholders, communities of practice and other similar and complementary projects on a thematic and operational level;
- Undertake extensive visits to partner Raions and localities.
- Enhance community engagement in the villages where water and sanitation projects are implemented to ensure effective beneficiary involvement.
- Liaising with central, regional, and local public authorities, regional water and sanitation service operators, and other stakeholders to ensure effective project implementation.
- Collaboration with internal and external experts (national and international) from Skat Consulting Ltd. (HQ) as well as independent consultants for specific assignments
- Professional monitoring and evaluation of project progress, ensuring timely reporting to the Team leader and stakeholders.
- Project budget monitoring and expenditure control.
- Risk management and mitigation to ensure project goals are achieved within scope, budget, and timeframe.

Qualifications and Skills required:
Education Bachelor or Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g., environmental science, engineering, public health, management).

Experience
- Experience working in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector, or a related technical field
- At least 3 years of experience in project management or 1 years of experience if very relevant to the above-mentioned projects.
- Proven work experience with local public administrations in the Republic of Moldova
- Strong background in projects involving Monitoring and Evaluation, community engagement, and multiple stakeholders.
- Experience in internationally funded projects/programmes or NGOs is an asset.

Language Requirements
- Fluency in Romanian (written and spoken)
- Fluency in English (written and spoken)
- Knowledge of Russian would be an additional asset

Competencies
- Experienced in project cycle management (PCM), including monitoring, evaluation and learning
- Good understanding of water supply and decentralized sanitation issues for rural areas
- Holder of a valid driving license with experience driving manual vehicles.
- Strong understanding of rural development and community engagement principles
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills
- High level of responsibility, leadership and organizational capacities
- Self-driven and initiative personality
- Ability to work effectively in an international and multicultural environment

How to Apply
Interested individuals are invited to apply by sending the following documents to ApaSan@int.skat.ch with the subject line “Component Manager, Water & Sanitation”, at latest by November 20, 2024.

- Curriculum Vitae (in English). Candidates should show a salary range expectation. Note that, if selected, Skat will make an offer considering the candidate experience and ability to perform the works.
- Motivational letter (optional in English) where the candidate highlight her/his experience more related to the Water and Sanitation sector.
Skat Consulting will ensure confidentiality in the recruitment process. Only pre-selected candidates will be contacted.

For any specific questions or inquiries, please contact ApaSan@int.skat.ch