Officer, Engineering (Field Technician) chez Evidence Action · Mbale, Eastern Region, Uganda

À propos de ce poste Officer, Engineering (Field Technician) chez Evidence Action

Evidence Action · Sur site · Mbale, Eastern Region, Uganda

About Evidence Action

At Evidence Action, we deliver data-driven interventions that transform lives at an unprecedented scale. We identify neglected global health issues and deploy proven solutions, forging healthier futures for generations.

Our model operationalizes leading academic research (including from Nobel-winning economists). We measure progress and outcomes at every stage to ensure we’re making a real impact for people living in poverty and suffering from preventable or treatable health issues. Operating across 9 countries, our team of 800+ has reached over 500 million people, working closely with governments to scale these interventions.

Our Deworm the World program has delivered over 2 billion treatments, significantly reducing worm prevalence and generating more than $23 billion in lifetime productivity gains.
Through Safe Water Now, we’ve saved the lives of over 15,000 children.
Our Accelerator explores untapped opportunities in global health, testing low-cost interventions with the greatest potential to save and improve lives.

At Evidence Action, your colleagues are your greatest asset. You'll partner with high-caliber colleagues in an environment blending innovation, autonomy, and teamwork. Our team excels in disruptive thinking and believes in rolling up our sleeves to get things done. If you're looking to work flexibly and with purpose, join a team that delivers measurable change for millions.

The Role

The Officer, Engineering (Field Technician) is the primary technical presence for Safe Water Now’s chlorine dispenser infrastructure. Working at the intersection of engineering, program implementation, and community engagement, this role ensures that chlorine dispensers and In-Line Chlorination (ILC) devices remain functional, properly maintained, and trusted by the communities they serve.

The Officer independently manages the full hardware lifecycle in their area: from preventive maintenance and repairs to retrofits, re-installations, and field testing of new hardware innovations, while maintaining accurate inventory and data records that inform engineering decisions at the programme level. Beyond the technical mandate, the Officer directly supervises and builds the capacity of Community Service Assistants, serves as the field-level link between engineering teams and implementation staff, and engages local stakeholders to protect dispenser infrastructure and sustain community uptake of safe water.

This is a hands-on, mobile role that demands strong technical judgement, disciplined data practice, and the ability to represent Evidence Action credibly with communities and local authorities.

Responsibilities

Hardware Maintenance & Technical Operations

Conduct field and workshop repairs, retrofits, and re-installations of chlorine dispenser components (casings, tanks, valves) to maintain device functionality and reduce hardware replacement costs
Perform regular hardware spot checks across the assigned area and ensure identified faults are escalated and resolved within agreed timelines
Support the assembly and field testing of new hardware innovations; maintain complete records of trial tests and share structured progress reports with the Engineering team and Area Coordinator
Maintain an accurate inventory of all dispenser parts and repair tools within the assigned office/hub and proactively flag reorder needs before stock runs critical

Data, Reporting & Work Planning

Collect, verify, and submit complete data for every dispenser repair, maintenance action, and re-installation undertaken, in line with programme data standards
Develop weekly work plans and field activity reports, ensuring transparency on progress, emerging hardware issues, and field observations relevant to the Engineering team
Conduct physical and phone back-checks on ongoing field activities and report findings to the Area Coordinator

Community Engagement & Stakeholder Relations

Engage communities and local stakeholders on correct dispenser usage, chlorine safety, and the importance of protecting infrastructure from vandalism and theft
Serve as a field-level communication channel between Engineering, program implementation staff, and communities — relaying updates on hardware changes or new developments in both directions

Team Leadership & Field Support

Supervise, mentor, coach, and conduct structured performance shadowing of Community Service Assistants in the execution of their duties
Support broader field office activities as needed, including chlorine deliveries and quality assurance data collection
Manage allocated funds for field and engineering activities in strict compliance with Evidence Action’s finance policy
Operate and maintain assigned motorcycles responsibly, monitoring maintenance and repair costs
Other duties and responsibilities as guided by the Supervisor

Key Performance Indicators

Chlorine device functionality rate across assigned area
% of reported dispenser faults resolved within 48 hours
Data completeness and submission timeliness rate
Number of structured CSA coaching/shadowing sessions conducted per month, with documented performance outcomes
Community engagement touchpoints per cycle, with dispenser vandalism/theft incidents tracked

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Water Resources Engineering, Water Technology, Hydrology, Water & Sanitation Technology, Civil Engineering (with water/structural bias), Plumbing or Environmental Engineering, from a recognised institution. Candidates holding an Advanced Diploma in a relevant technical discipline will be considered, provided they bring a minimum of three (3) years of directly relevant field experience in water, sanitation, infrastructure maintenance, or a related technical programme.
At least 2 years of experience working with communities or social enterprises/NGOs in field-based technical roles, particularly in water systems, WASH programs, or infrastructure maintenance
Hands-on experience installing, maintaining, or troubleshooting water treatment systems or related technical equipment (Plumbing skills mandatory)
Experience using electronic data collection platforms, specifically open data kit (ODK) and survey CTO preferred
Motorcycle riding skills - With 1.5 years of experience licensed riding
Strong attention to detail in data collection and adherence to measurement protocols
Ability to work independently in field environments and troubleshoot technical issues with minimal supervision
Strong communication and documentation skills for reporting field observations and technical findings
Good language skills in English is a must. Proficiency in speaking the local language/dialect used in target areas is a definite advantage (including Lusoga, Lugisu, Lugwere, Lunyole, Atesot, Japadhola among others)
Self-driven and highly motivated to deliver results within tight deadlines.
Willingness to be based in Eastern Uganda (either of Busoga or Bumasaba regions) with regular travel to field sites

Position Location

This role will be based in either of Jinja, Mbale or surrounding districts, with regular travel to field sites.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of Uganda employment visa at this time. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in Uganda for roles based in Uganda.

Note: Applications will be reviewed on rolling basis.

Benefits

Evidence Action provides a comprehensive benefits package for employees worldwide*. Benefits include:

Comprehensive health insurance (medical cover for self and dependents)
Pension/Retirement savings options
Paid leave
Avenues for engagement and recognition

Prêt à postuler chez Evidence Action ?

Postuler chez Evidence Action

À propos de Evidence Action

We do development differently.

Evidence Action is a global nonprofit organization with an approach distinctive in international development – we exclusively scale interventions that are backed by strong evidence and can be delivered with exceptional cost-effectiveness. We take a data-driven approach to identifying and scaling interventions which deliver outsized impact for the hundreds of millions of impoverished individuals who are our clients. We deploy deep expertise in building for scale, coupled with a focus on rigorous measurement and continuous program improvement, to ensure these solutions measurably improve the lives of millions.

We deliver tremendous impact.

Our programs – in health, nutrition, and safe water – have grown since our founding in 2013 to reach over 280 million people annually. Our Deworm the World Initiative has helped governments across Asia and Africa deliver over 1.3 billion childhood deworming treatments – which have been shown to increase long-term income by 13%. This places deworming among the most cost-effective income generation programs in the world, as ranked by charity evaluators such as GiveWell and The Life You Can Save. Our Dispensers for Safe Water program provides sustained safe water access to over 4 million people in rural Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi. Our last-mile delivery network services communities through a free-to-use, human-centric design that increases usage over 5 times that of traditional water treatment options, preventing childhood illness and deaths caused by unsafe water. Dispensers for Safe Water has been recognized by Charity Navigator for its high cost-effectiveness, by Expo2020 as one of only 25 Global Best Practice Programmes, and a chlorine dispenser now resides in the Nobel Museum, selected by 2019 Nobel laureate Michael Kremer – whose work was integral to the program’s development.

We drive innovation.

Evidence Action’s Accelerator builds the next generation of exceptional programs, taking an approach most similar to a venture capital model. We thoughtfully advance promising new programs through a rigorous, 6 stage process – from desk research to testing at large scale. We are ruthless in exiting programs which do not meet our criteria on scalability, evidence of impact, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring that the programs that do advance deliver outsized impact for millions of people.

We are global.

Over 400 individuals work on our programs across eight countries – Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, Uganda, India, and the United States, including both Evidence Action staff and close partners. We are united by a tremendous passion for our mission and the impact that together we create. We are strong because of our diversity of experience, geography, and background – with over 90% of our people in the countries where our impact is focused. This spirit, and our culture, are guided by a set of core values that underpin our work. These values embody our focus on evidence, urgency, iteration, and incessance in our search for solutions.

We have big ambitions.

Our goal is to double our impact by 2024, to fulfill our vision of a world where hundreds of millions of people in the poorest places have better opportunities and their lives are measurably improved. We believe in bold and urgent action – because poverty doesn’t wait, and neither should we.

We need great people.

Our success to date is due to the collective work of our amazing staff. To achieve our ambitious goals, we need to grow our team. We are looking for people who share our passion for following the evidence, seeking cost-effective ways of working, and operating at scale. We seek individuals who take an entrepreneurial approach, enjoy tackling hard problems, and iterate to achieve the best solutions – and know that people with these skills come from many professional backgrounds.

If our vision and approach excite you as much as it does us, we invite you to join us.