Job summary

Sustainable Organic Farming & Development Initiatives (SOFDI) is seeking a passionate and community-oriented Water Spring Protection Specialist to support the implementation and management of community water spring protection initiatives across our project areas.

Job descriptions & requirements

Job Description

This role will focus on safeguarding natural water springs, promoting environmental conservation, strengthening community participation, and ensuring sustainable access to safe and portable water for communities. The specialist will play a key role in coordinating field implementation, engaging local stakeholders, monitoring spring protection activities, and supporting conservation efforts that promote biodiversity and long-term water source sustainability. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is passionate about community development, environmental conservation, and sustainable water access in rural communities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Water Spring Protection & Monitoring

• Identify and assess spring sites with potential for protection and development.
• Support the approval and planning process for selected spring sites.
• Follow up on community contributions and participation toward project implementation.
• Monitor and guide the construction and protection process alongside fundis and project teams.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to assess the status and functionality of protected springs.

2. Community Engagement & Mobilisation

• Create awareness among communities on the SOFDI approach to spring protection and water conservation.
• Engage local communities, leaders, and authorities to mobilise local support and resources.
• Coordinate and mobilise communities during spring inaugurations and handover ceremonies.
• Liaise closely with spring committee members and Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to ensure successful project implementation and ownership.

3. Conservation & Environmental Management

• Promote water catchment conservation initiatives around protected spring sites.
• Encourage sustainable environmental practices that protect and restore water sources from degradation and harmful activities.
• Advocate for water safety and environmental conservation through linkages with relevant government departments and stakeholders.

4. Project Implementation & Reporting

• Design and coordinate implementation plans for project activities.
• Monitor project progress and provide regular updates in line with organisational guidelines.
• Document field activities through reports, photographs, and field notes for management review.
• Update and maintain project databases and monitoring records.
• Prepare and submit technical reports and implementation updates on a regular basis.

5. Collaboration & Partnership

• Attend and represent SOFDI in project meetings, stakeholder forums, and community engagements.
• Liaise with relevant line ministries and local authorities to support successful project implementation.
• Work closely with internal teams to strengthen coordination and delivery of project objectives.

6. Other duties:

• Support any other duties assigned by Management that contribute to the successful implementation and growth of SOFDI programs and initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Community Development, Water Engineering, Public Health, Agriculture, or a related field.
• Experience in community-based project implementation, environmental conservation, WASH, or related development work is an added advantage.
• Experience working with rural communities and local stakeholders will be highly desirable.

Key Competencies

• Strong communication and community mobilisation skills.
• Good public relations and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Strong report writing, presentation, and project coordination skills.
• Knowledge of IT applications and data management tools.
• Familiarity with GIS/GPS and other monitoring tools is an added advantage.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining strong teamwork and collaboration.
• Passion for environmental conservation and community development.
• Willingness to travel frequently to project sites within and outside the coverage area.
• Resourceful, proactive, and committed to achieving project goals.

Working Conditions

The position will involve both office-based work and frequent field activities, including travel to community water spring sites and project locations.

• Identify and assess spring sites with potential for protection and development.
• Support the approval and planning process for selected spring sites.
• Follow up on community contributions and participation toward project implementation.
• Monitor and guide the construction and protection process alongside fundis and project teams.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to assess the status and functionality of protected springs.
• Create awareness among communities on the SOFDI approach to spring protection and water conservation.
• Engage local communities, leaders, and authorities to mobilise local support and resources.
• Coordinate and mobilise communities during spring inaugurations and handover ceremonies.
• Liaise closely with spring committee members and Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to ensure successful project implementation and ownership.
• Promote water catchment conservation initiatives around protected spring sites.
• Encourage sustainable environmental practices that protect and restore water sources from degradation and harmful activities.
• Advocate for water safety and environmental conservation through linkages with relevant government departments and stakeholders.
• Design and coordinate implementation plans for project activities.
• Monitor project progress and provide regular updates in line with organisational guidelines.
• Document field activities through reports, photographs, and field notes for management review.
• Update and maintain project databases and monitoring records.
• Prepare and submit technical reports and implementation updates on a regular basis.
• Attend and represent SOFDI in project meetings, stakeholder forums, and community engagements.
• Liaise with relevant line ministries and local authorities to support successful project implementation.
• Work closely with internal teams to strengthen coordination and delivery of project objectives.
• Support any other duties assigned by Management that contribute to the successful implementation and growth of SOFDI programs and initiatives.

• Strong communication and community mobilisation skills.
• Good public relations and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Strong report writing, presentation, and project coordination skills.
• Knowledge of IT applications and data management tools.
• Familiarity with GIS/GPS and other monitoring tools is an added advantage.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining strong teamwork and collaboration.
• Passion for environmental conservation and community development.
• Willingness to travel frequently to project sites within and outside the coverage area.
• Resourceful, proactive, and committed to achieving project goals.

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Community Development, Water Engineering, Public Health, Agriculture, or a related field.
• Experience in community-based project implementation, environmental conservation, WASH, or related development work is an added advantage.
• Experience working with rural communities and local stakeholders will be highly desirable.