Senior Irrigation Engineer

Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP)

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
SHIRE VALLEY TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME (SVTP)
Request for Expressions of Interest
Senior Irrigation Engineer (Component 1 Leader)
W-MOAIWD-505766-CS-INDV

1.0 Introduction
The Government of Malawi with support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank is implementing the Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP). The program development objective (PDO) for SVTP is to increase agricultural productivity and commercialization for targeted households in the Shire Valley; and to improve the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources. The SVTP is a 14-year program (2018-2031) which is being implemented in three sequential but partially overlapping phases. The Program targets the development of 43,370 ha abstracting water from the Shire River at Kapichira and conveying it by gravity to the irrigable area (in Chikwawa and Nsanje districts) through canals and pipelines. It is structured around three coordinated pillars:

  1. Providing reliable, professionally managed and sustainably financed irrigation service to irrigators in a phased construction of the scheme and providing multiple services including water supply;
  2. Support farmer organization within a comprehensive land use plan; supporting land tenure strengthening and consolidation; as well as natural resources management; and
  3. Establishment of smallholder owned commercial farm enterprises transitioning into commercial agriculture from subsistence farming and integrating them into commercial value chains.

The SVTP is being managed by a Project Management Team (PMT) consisting of various technical specialists headed by a Project Coordinator. One of the specialists is the Senior Irrigation Engineer (SIE). The Ministry of Agriculture therefore invites applications for an International Consultant, suitably qualified, to fill the position of SIE, recruited as individual within the PMT.

The Position
The SIE is part of a larger Project Management Team (PMT), which comprises the Project Coordinator and other specialists. The Senior Irrigation Engineer (this position) will be responsible for ensuring that deliverables under Component 1 (Irrigation Services Provision component) are done according to schedule, with acceptable quality and within reasonable budget. The SIE will be expected to mentor the Irrigation Engineer in all technical aspects of Component 1. Specifically, the SIE shall be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of all activities under Component 1.

The SIE will be a competitively recruited individual consultant and will lead the overall implementation of Component 1 of the Programme. S/He will technically be supported by other Project Management Team members. In addition, the SIE will coordinate the tasks of a team of consultants comprising design and supervision engineers and coordinate with farm managers on the engineering aspects related to the development of the irrigation blocks. S/He will report to the Project Coordinator on a monthly basis, highlighting a synthesis of progress against planned activities, key challenges and proposed management solutions.

2.0 Tasks and Responsibilities
The tasks and responsibilities of the SIE shall include, but not be limited to the following:

  1. Be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day implementation of all activities under component 1.
  2. Data and Information Sharing and Communication:
    1. Ensure timely engineering information sharing among the service providers (consultants and contractors);
    2. Ensure that the implementation of engineering activities is done according to schedule and that the Gantt is updated regularly;
  3. Planning and Coordination:
    1. Oversee all planning, design, technical implementation, operation and maintenance aspects of the irrigation service provision component of the project;
    2. Planning and coordinating the execution of all engineering activities required to achieve their respective outputs;
    3. Attend all project, site, and management technical review meetings;
    4. Facilitate procurement of private operator for the scheme;
    5. Prepare ToRs for further studies for SVTP 2 component 1 related activities.
  4. Overall Management of Engineering activities: 
  1. Ensure that quality control of the programme activities on all (component 1 activities) engineering aspects are adhered to;
  2. Be responsible for general contracts management, and inform the consultants, contractors and the Coordinator on contractual issues;
  3. Monitoring the progress of implementation of programme activities under component one and comparing it with the planned schedule, and notifying the Consultants / contractors of any deviations from the planned
    programme;
  4. Provide quality assurance of the activity reports, data and information being generated and ensure that any inconsistencies in the outcomes of the deliverables are resolved at an early stage;
  5. Oversee any constraints, issues or problem areas on engineering aspects and advise on appropriate action;
  6. Support all Consultants / contractors in the fulfillment of their assignments and assist them in overcoming any technical constraints that they may face in the implementation of their tasks;
  7. Prepare Monthly as well as Quarterly Progress Reports for submission to the Coordinator on time;
  8. Provide input to preparation of programme Completion Report (PCR);
  9. Carry out regular inspection of construction works and provide necessary advice to the supervision consultant;
  10. Oversee preparation of bidding documents for both contractors and consultants and participate in the evaluation of the same;
  11. Check and review all technical aspects of the irrigation systems, structures designs and relevant data to
    ensure that the designs are adequate, complete and in compliance with recognized standards;
  12. Coordinate the preparation of feasibility studies and detailed designs, bills of quantities, tender documents and all associated drawings by consultants;
  13. Ensure that comprehensive Engineers reports and supporting documentation are prepared on time;
  14. In coordination with the Environmental Safeguards Specialist ensure that proposed environmental mitigation measures identified in ESIA & ESMP reports are implemented;
  15. Build capacity for counterpart staff and provide technical support such as manuals for engineering training activities for staff and farmer organisations;
  16. Analyse and vet all progress reports from the contractors) and engineering consultants, before submission to the Project Coordinator;
  17. Vet and authenticate all payment certificates, invoices and claims originated by the contractor (s) and consultants, prior to submission to the Project Coordinator;
  18. Ensure that as built drawings are prepared by the contractors;

e. Mentor the Irrigation Engineer (IE) in all technical aspects of the infrastructure development (planning, design and supervision) including contract management.

f. Carry out other duties as may be assigned by the Project Coordinator from time to time.

3.0 Key deliverables
Key deliverables for this position include:

  • Contracts successfully executed
  • Irrigation services area supported
  • Service providers recruited for sustainable management, operation and management.
  • Implementation progress reports timely submitted.
  • Reports summarizing mentorship skills transferred irrigation

4.0 Qualifications and Experience

  • A minimum of postgraduate qualification in Irrigation/ Agriculture/Civil Engineering with at least 10 vears of work
  • experience as irrigation and drainage/water supply design and supervision engineer or Bachelor’s degree in irrigation engineering/agricultural engineering/civil engineering with at least 15 years of solid work experience as an irrigation and drainage/water supply design and supervision engineer in irrigation/water projects. Irrigation experience must be in large scale (20CMS or greater) upstream control open channel irrigation distribution systems. The candidate must understand the importance of water level control and regulating reservoirs in an open canal distribution system.
  • Should be a FIDIC certified contracts manager with experience in construction supervision of civil works for water/irrigation related projects under FIDIC contract provisions.
  • He/she should have experience in implementing donor-funded projects. Experience and/or familiarity with World Bank and/ or AfDB procurement procedures and processes would be an added advantage.
  • Must be registered as Professional Engineer with a recognised Engineering Institution
  • He/She must possess good communication skills and be able to write clear, concise technical reports in English.

5.0 Location of Employment
The Senior Irrigation Engineer will be based in Blantyre, but will be required to travel regularly and extensively to the project area (Chikwawa & Nsanje) and work closely with an inter-ministerial Task Force in Lilongwe to ensure that progress follows project plans and that appropriate support is provided for project activities.

6.0 Duration of Employment
The contract is for an initial period of 1 year, renewable upon satisfactory appraisal results.

7.0 Services and facilities to be provided by the client
The client will provide the following services and facilities to the consultant

  • Office space
  • Office equipment
  • Communication facilities
  • Logistics for field work

8.0 Performance Assessment Criteria

  1. Timely implementation of planned activities
  2. Coordination with stakeholders, including contractors and consultants, ensuring timely sharing of information and other related program implementation issues.
  3. A structured communication update, in liaison with other specialists, to inform external stakeholders on progress is developed;
  4. Timely periodic provision of a synthesis of progress against planned actions, key challenges and proposed management solutions
  5. Reports summarizing mentorship skills transferred

9.0 Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 7:30hrs to 12:00hrs and from 13:00hrs to 17:00hrs except on Weekends and Public Holidays.

10.0 Applications including detailed updated curriculum vitae and copies of academic qualifications must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by 3rd October, 2025.

The Director of Irrigation Services,
Department of Irrigation, Off Paul Kagame Road,
P.O. Box 30797,
Lilongwe
MALAWI.
(Attention: The Principal Human Resources Management Officer)
Alternatively, applications may be emailed to: enakoma@yahoo.com cc: mwalabu2005@yahoo.co.uk