Welding Technician

Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has served more than 8 million people in 60 countries, sharing safe water and the message of God’s love. Working at Water Mission is as much a calling as it is a career, and we are searching for people with the courage, passion, and drive to help us change the world. Read more about our Statement of Faith and Our Christian Mission.

Job Summary: Working under the direct supervision of the Projects Engineer, the Welding Technician is primarily responsible for field activities related to the implementation, maintenance, and monitoring of water supply systems, from assessment to project completion. The goal is to ensure best-in-class installation of safe water solutions and functionality of Water Mission projects. This is a full-time position that requires residency in Lilongwe, Malawi. The position will require frequent travel to remote locations within Malawi.

Our culture: As an employee of Water Mission Malawi, the Welding Technician is responsible for developing a biblical worldview culture that leads to God-honoring excellence in all their work and reinforcing the following: providing accurate data, empowering staff to have the skills and mindset needed to acknowledge mistakes or problems as opportunities to find appropriate solutions, and empowering fellow staff to consistently work for excellence in solutions that are consistent with Water Mission’s mission, vision, values, and standards.

General Responsibilities

Mission Driven

• Maintain a strong Christian witness and model servant leadership to colleagues, partners, the communities we serve, and the public.
• Engage and participate in prayer before and after team meetings.
• Lead and participate in biblically based staff devotions. 

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct technical assessments for existing and new projects

• Carry out water analysis to determine water quality.
• Assist engineers in water infrastructure siting.
• Conduct yield tests to determine the capacity of existing water sources.
• Inspect existing water supply systems to identify gaps.
• Prepare reports on findings and submit them to the Projects Engineer.

• Install water supply systems according to engineering specifications

• Read and interpret engineering drawings for quantification of the project as well as to ensure that infrastructure is constructed and installed according to specified drawings.
• Lead the fabrication and welding of storage tank towers, manhole covers, solar racks, construction of electrical & treatment enclosures and other steel structures.
• Support the installation of water treatment systems.
• Install remote monitoring systems.
• Install solar-powered electrical systems.
• Collect and upload project data (equipment information, structures installed, and installation pictures).
• Supervise borehole drilling and yield tests by drillers.
• Supervise sub-contractors (masons, painters).

• Operation and maintenance of water systems

• Support the technical sustainability of projects during the operational phase.
• Conduct project follow-ups through system inspections, water quality analysis, and report writing.
• Troubleshoot system failures to minimize downtime on water production (mechanical faults, electrical faults, remote monitoring faults).
• Provide support to system operators during remote troubleshooting.
• Conduct refresher training for system operators.

• Provide disaster response support

• Conduct rapid assessments.
• Install mechanical and electrical equipment in safe water projects.
• Supervise communities in trenching and material mobilization.

• Community Engagement

• Oversee community volunteers during project implementation.
• Supervise community volunteers excavating trenches for pipe routing and material mobilization for water facilities/structures.
• Guide community volunteers during the construction of structures
• Train local system operators in running safe water projects

 Other tasks may be assigned.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Relationship and Alignment:

• Alignment with Water Mission’s Statement of Faith and commitment to the mission and values of Water Mission.
• Personal growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Qualifications and Experience

• National Trade Test Grade 1 or Malawi TEVET Advanced Certificate (Level 3) or Advanced Malawi Craft Certificate in Fabrication & Welding/General Fitting
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in Fabrication & Welding/General Fitting.
• Must be registered as a Craftsperson with the Malawi Engineering Institution (MEI).
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must be standards and detail-oriented with ability to plan.
• Practical experience working in rural and low-resource settings.
• Proficiency in using technical equipment and tools for water quality testing and system maintenance.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in English, Chichewa and any indigenous languages
• Willingness to travel frequently to remote project sites.

Skills and Abilities

• High level of integrity in handling funds in an accountable and transparent manner.
• Good technical and analytical skills.
• Good relationship and conflict resolution skills.  
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team.