Job description
Main purpose of the Job: The purpose of this assignment is to engage a qualified WASH Technical Expert to provide independent technical advice, supervision, quality assurance and verification for borehole drilling and related water supply works undertaken by JF Kapnek Zimbabwe.
Key Responsibilities
Support the technical evaluation of prospective drilling suppliers by reviewing technical proposals, equipment specifications, and proposed methodologies to ensure they meet project requirements. Provide technical input into supplier selection to ensure procurement decisions are based on technical merit and value for money rather than price alone.
Act as JF Kapnek Zimbabwe's primary technical liaison with suppliers throughout project implementation. Conduct hydrogeological surveys or review existing hydrogeological assessments to identify the most suitable drilling locations. Recommend optimal borehole sites that maximise the likelihood of achieving sustainable, high-yield water sources while minimising drilling risks and unnecessary costs.
Provide technical supervision during drilling operations to ensure contractors comply with approved drilling depths, casing specifications, construction standards, and contractual requirements. Monitor progress, identify technical issues, and recommend corrective actions where necessary. Commission, witness, review, or verify water quality analyses and borehole yield tests to confirm that completed boreholes meet national drinking water quality standards and provide sustainable yields suitable for the intended beneficiaries.
Recommend acceptance or remedial actions based on test results. Supervise the installation of pumps, solar systems (where applicable), and associated borehole equipment to ensure all components are installed correctly, function effectively, and are appropriate for the operating environment and intended use. Review and oversee the design and installation of water reticulation systems to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable distribution of water to all intended points of use while complying with applicable engineering standards.
Verify that contractors have satisfactorily completed each project milestone in accordance with agreed technical specifications before recommending payment. Provide technical certification and verification reports to support the approval of contractor invoices.
Requirements
Functional skills and knowledge Technical independence, integrity and objectivity in supplier assessment and verification. Strong field supervision, problem-solving and risk identification skills. Clear communication with contractors, programme teams, management and community stakeholders. Commitment to safeguarding, safety, value for money and accountability to communities served by JF Kapnek.
Ability to work within agreed timelines and produce evidence-based written outputs. Person Specification Qualification in hydrogeology, water resources engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, WASH, groundwater development or a closely related technical field. Demonstrated experience in borehole siting, drilling supervision, borehole construction quality assurance, water yield testing and water quality verification.
Practical understanding of borehole drilling methods, casing standards, pump installation, reticulation systems and contractor supervision. Knowledge of applicable safe drinking water standards, quality testing requirements and sustainability considerations for community water supply systems. Experience working with NGOs, schools, ECD settings, community projects or rural water supply programmes will be an added advantage.
Ability to produce concise technical reports, verification notes and practical recommendations for non-technical management teams. Professional registration or affiliation with relevant engineering, hydrogeology or water-sector body will be an added advantage, where applicable.