Professionalized Services Technician

Job Summary:  The Professionalized Services Technician (PST) will support the sustainability and efficiency of rural water systems under the Rural Water Cooperative Department at Water Mission Malawi. The successful candidate will oversee operations, maintenance, and repairs while ensuring Water Mission standards and initiatives compliance.

The position will work closely with the Professionalized Services Officer.  While based in Lilongwe, this position will require regular travel to areas where safe water projects are implemented. Success in this role will be measured by the sustainability of these projects, return on investment (ROI), and the achievement of impact goals.

Our culture: As an employee of Water Mission Malawi, the Professionalized Services 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 staff to consistently work for excellence in solutions that are consistent with Water Mission’s mission, vision, values, and standards.

General Duties

 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

• Assist in the assessment of current WASH service provision, particularly focusing on the RWC, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Oversee daily operations and maintenance (O&M) activities for rural water systems, ensuring optimal system functionality and sustainability.
• Conduct technical repairs and preventive maintenance on water systems, addressing issues promptly to minimize downtime.
• Train water system operators on O&M procedures, troubleshooting, and best practices to maintain efficient and reliable water systems.
• Conduct regular assessments of operator skills and provide refresher courses to improve their knowledge and performance.
• Provide technical support and consultation to key partners, and other government and community organizations, to enhance O&M practices and project implementation.
• Support partnerships aimed at expanding rural water services and improving service quality.
• Participate in the planning, design, and review of system extension projects to expand water service reach within communities, performing technical evaluations and design reviews to ensure compliance with Water Mission standards.
• Ensure that all rural water projects meet Water Mission’s ongoing initiative requirements, including performance-based funding, by monitoring and reporting on financial data, water quality standards, and system performance to comply with funding and regulatory standards. Collaborate with the PSO to track project progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure adherence to organizational goals.
• Collect and analyze data on system performance, O&M activities, and project outcomes to prepare regular reports on system uptime, financial compliance, and water quality for Water Mission management and stakeholders. Leverage insights to optimize O&M processes, enhancing project impact and sustainability.
• Stay informed on new technologies and best practices in water system management and professionalized service models, proposing process improvements and exploring innovative solutions for rural water sustainability. Engage in training and development opportunities to advance skills in rural water engineering and service management.

 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 Plumbing.
• Minimum of 4 years in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector, with proven experience in operations and maintenance (O&M) of water systems and community water management.
• Must be registered as a Craftsperson with the Malawi Engineering Institution (MEI).
• Proven track record of supporting WASH projects in a dynamic and challenging environment.
• Experience in collaborating with government agencies, NGOs, and community stakeholders, for project execution and policy advocacy.
• 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 with the ability to adapt to new technologies and explore innovative solutions for rural water sustainability.
• Commitment to promoting project sustainability and innovation in the WASH sector.
• 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.