Job Description

Plays a critical role in ensuring the provision of safe and high-quality water to consumers. Is responsible for overseeing all aspects of water production, from source to distribution, to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and safeguard public health. The Water Production Senior Engineer is expected to implement best practices in water treatment and production, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve departmental objectives.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

Production Oversight:

• Oversee water production operations to ensure the consistent and efficient supply of quality water to consumers.
• Monitor water production processes including water sourcing and treatment to optimize water treatment performance.
• Implement strategies to improve production efficiency, reduce losses, and enhance operational resilience.
• Assess water treatment processes and ensure that applied chemicals optimize treatment processes and all treatment plants have well equipped laboratories with trained and qualified staff;
• Analyze the designs, operation and management of water supply infrastructure for the assessment of license applications
• Initiate relevant regulatory tools (regulations and guidelines) for sound regulation of water sector;

Quality Assurance:

• Develop and enforce quality control procedures to ensure that water produced meets or exceeds regulatory standards and is safe for human consumption.
• Co-develop and propose Key Performance Indicators for water regulation 
• Monitor and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the performance of water utilities.
• Conduct regular inspections to water sources and water treatment facilities to assess compliance with quality parameters.
• Monitor Utility laboratories including equipment and personnel to ensure that water samples are well collected and analyzed and results well interpret ted and propose corrective actions as necessary to address deviations from standards.
• Assist in the development of standards for drinking water quality, 
• Conduct water quality control and quality assurance to water service providers and enforce laws in case of non-compliance.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Stay abreast of relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards pertaining to water quality and production practices.
• Ensure that all production activities adhere to regulatory requirements and environmental regulations, maintaining necessary permits and certifications.
• Prepare and submit reports to regulatory agencies as required, documenting compliance status and any remedial actions taken.
• Initiate and conduct planned and ad-hoc technical audits and inspection to monitor the quality of service as well as the sustainability of water supply infrastructure;
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of licensed service providers and prepare annual sector performance reports;

Infrastructure Maintenance:

• Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of water production infrastructure, including treatment plants, pumping stations, reservoirs, and pipelines.
• Develop preventive maintenance schedules and coordinate repair activities to minimize downtime and ensure operational reliability.
• Collaborate with engineering and maintenance teams to identify opportunities for infrastructure upgrades or optimization.
• Assess water projects that require approval for implementation by service providers including designs and Bill of quantities,
• Monitor the inclusion of climate resilience and water safety plan in all water treatment projects to mitigate effects of climate impacts and follow up of their implementation.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Provide leadership and guidance to production staff, fostering a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance evaluations, training sessions, and professional development activities to enhance the skills and capabilities of team members.
• Foster a safe working environment by promoting adherence to safety protocols and implementing measures to mitigate occupational hazards.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with internal departments, regulatory agencies, government authorities, and community stakeholders to address water-related issues and promote public awareness.
• Participate in meetings, forums, and workshops to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and advocate for sustainable water management initiatives.
• Respond to inquiries and complaints from consumers regarding water quality or service delivery, striving to resolve issues in a timely and customer-focused manner.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

Education and experience:

· Minimum of a Master’s degree in Water Resources Management, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Chemical Engineering. 

Or

· Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in water resources management, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Chemical Engineering with minimum of 3 years of experience.

Skills and competencies 

· Thrrough understanding of water treatment processes, quality assurance protocols, and regulatory requirements.

· Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a diverse team of professionals.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with a track record of building effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

· Analytical mindset with problem-solving capabilities, particularly in identifying and resolving technical challenges.

· Proficiency in relevant software applications for data analysis, reporting, and project management.

· Commitment to RURA's mission of ensuring reliable and sustainable utility services for all citizens.

· Demonstrated commitment to integrity, ethical conduct, and environmental stewardship.