Job Opportunity: Irrigation Engineer position available at Self Help Africa in Dessie, with frequent travel to project woredas, Not Specified. Engineering, Natural Sciences jobs in Ethiopia are in high demand. Apply now through GeezJobs - Ethiopia's leading job portal.

Organisation Overview

Self Help Africa is an international NGO dedicated to the vision of sustainable livelihoods and healthy lives for all in a changing climate. Headquartered in Ireland, SHA creates scalable and sustainable solutions to eradicating long-term poverty through knowledge transfer, investment, and market linkages.

In early 2023, we launched a new five-year strategy focused on alleviating hunger, poverty, social inequality, and climate change impact through community-led, market-based approaches.

Our Core Values:

• Impact: We are accountable, ambitious, and committed to systemic change.
• Innovation: We are agile, creative, and enterprising.
• Community: We are inclusive, honest, and act with integrity.

Job Purpose

The Irrigation Engineer will implement a project co-implemented with WFP titled: “Provide an integrated package of climate-adaptive livelihood support, anticipatory action and climate services for at-risk communities, particularly small-scale producers, other value chain actors, women and young people in Amhara region.”

The post-holder is responsible for the planning, design, implementation, and optimization of irrigation systems. You will combine technical expertise in hydraulics and agronomy to create sustainable water delivery systems, promoting water conservation for smallholder farmers.

Key Responsibilities

Proposal Development

• Identify and advise on new funding opportunities for irrigation development.
• Contribute to project proposal content and follow up with donors for feedback.
• Facilitate consultation meetings and prepare summary presentations.
• Work with country office teams on project design and contract negotiations.

Project Implementation

• Advise on technical diagnosis of irrigated agriculture and design appropriate interventions.
• Develop community-led site improvement plans for water and small-scale irrigation schemes.
• Offer extension services to farmers to improve food access and diversified income.
• Lead capacity building for partners and oversee technical knowledge transfer.
• Design and conduct field-level monitoring for construction supervision.
• Support the Area Project Coordinator and Team Leader with reporting and coordination.
• Coach technical teams and field officers on best practices.
• Build networks with partners and stay updated on regional trends.
• Ensure quality assurance of all irrigation documentation and prepare regular donor reports.

Roles and Responsibilities (Technical)

• Responsible for construction of irrigation canals, river dams, embankments, and water catchments.
• Plan and design irrigation fixtures to specific requirements.
• Analyze site surveys and identify potential structural or environmental problems.
• Prepare Bills of Quantities (BoQs) and technical specifications for irrigation components.
• Check and approve irrigation drawings and supervise contractors/partners.
• Prepare Quality, Health & Safety, and Social & Environment (QHSE) plans.
• Develop operation and maintenance (O&M) schedules for irrigation schemes.
• Undertake feasibility studies and preliminary investigations.
• Organize farmer meetings for participatory development.
• Support tendering processes and evaluations.

Key Relationships

Internal:

• Area Project Coordinator (Line Manager)
• Project Field Team & Team Leader
• Country office program advisors & Heads of Programmes
• Country Directors
• Global Office WaSH advisor

External:

• Donor staff (WFP and others)
• Partners (NGOs, private sector, regional bureaus, academic institutions)

Team: Programme

Location: Dessie, with frequent travel to project woredas

Contract Type: One year, renewable depending on funding

Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday)

Reports to: Area Project Coordinator

Salary: As per SHA scale

Safeguarding and Application

Self Help Africa is committed to safeguarding and preventing unwanted behavior including sexual harassment, exploitation, and financial misconduct. Recruitment is subject to police vetting and references.

Knowledge, Experience & Requirements

Technical/Functional:

• Proven experience in irrigation construction, rehabilitation, and upgrading.
• Practical experience in design, cost estimation, and supervision of infrastructure.
• Ability to read/interpret technical drawings and strong understanding of hydraulics.
• Competence in water-related CAD software and GIS/Remote Sensing tools.
• Knowledge of procurement/tendering and project management (UN or Int. Org experience).
• Experience working in challenging operational contexts or conflict areas.
• Ability to translate technical expertise into simple messages for smallholder farmers.

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in Civil, Agricultural, or Irrigation Engineering (or related field).
• Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in irrigation development.
• Success in developing proposals for institutional donors (WFP, EU, FCDO, etc.).
• Strong numeracy, analytical ability, and budget management skills.
• Willingness to travel to project locations.

Desirable:

• Fluent English speaking and writing skills.
• Specific knowledge of smallholder contexts in the Amhara region.
• Experience negotiating construction contractual agreements.

How To Apply

Download the Application Form at: https://selfhelpafrica.org/ie/irrigation-engineer/

Upload the completed form along with your CV and a motivational letter.

Closing Date: Friday 30th January 2026 at 5:00 pm.

Women applicants are highly encouraged. Self Help Africa is an equal opportunities employer.