MEDA Project Technical Lead Job Vacancy in Ghana

Job
Description

This post will be based in Upper West Region and no
relocation allowance will be provided.

Position Summary

The Water Catchment, Storage and Irrigation project
is an applied research, pilot project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation through the Grand Challenges Exploration program.

The goal of this pilot is to identify technologies
that will allow women in northern Ghana to extend the season during which they
can grow food for their families, thus improving household food security.

To achieve this goal, the project will test a range
of household scale water catchment and storage systems that can be combined
with irrigation systems. At least two systems that pass initial tests
will then be user-tested through installation in homes of volunteers. The
project team will engage private suppliers of equipment and components at each
stage of the project with the aim of stimulating commercial distribution of
successfully tested systems to communities across northern Ghana.

The Project Technical Lead will provide overall
management and implementation of this 18-month pilot project. The Project
Technical Lead will supervise the work of a Technical Officer and will carry
out the administrative and financial management duties of the project.
This full time, 18-month position reports directly to the North American Project
Manager and keeps the MEDA Ghana Country Project Manager regularly informed of
project progress.

Duties

Develop project work plan with specific
milestones that will lead to achievement of project goals
Investigate existing technologies both through
literature review as well as exploration of water development innovation
across Ghana.
Identify technologies to be tested
Carry out the initial tests, documenting all
aspects – including a)cost/benefit of each model, b)ability of women to
manage and maintain, c)effectiveness of catchment and storage, d)ease of
integration with irrigation systems, e)availability of equipment, etc.
Recruit women volunteers for phase two testing
of systems in household settings. Provide practical training on system
installation, maintenance and management.
Build relationships with private sector
suppliers and women farmers to cultivate linkages and distribution
networks that will provide these technologies to women and ensure that
women understand their management and use.
Develop relationships with community leaders,
women’s groups, relevant government representatives, community-based
organizations other INGO experts, etc. to build understanding of water
catchment and storage options and to stimulate broad adoption.
Develop tools and process to monitor success
of the pilot project against objectives.
Document the outcomes of all tests, share
lessons learned and promote the distribution and use of effective systems.
Supervise the work of the Technical Officer.
Ensuring the two-person team works closely together to achieve the project
objectives within the short timeframe.
Maintain complete financial records for the
project, document all expenses and provide regular financial reports to
the MEDA Ghana Country Project Manager.
Report regularly to the Project Manager

Qualifications

Experience with rainwater catchment and
harvesting technologies
Demonstrated self- starter, willing to take
initiative and innovate to meet the objectives of an assignment.
Practical construction experience
Experience working on women-focused programs.
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Management,
Business, or other related field.
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in finding
solutions to challenges of water catchment, storage and distribution.
Private sector experience an advantage.
Appreciation and support of MEDA’s faith,
values and goals