Rural Water Utility / Operations & Maintenance Specialist Job IRES, Nairobi, Kenya
IRES, Nairobi, Kenya
Job description
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Water-sector professional to deliver practical training and consultancy support in rural water utility management, infrastructure operations and maintenance, asset management, and service-delivery improvement. The successful candidate should bring strong field-based experience, particularly in challenging and underserved environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and deliver practical training on water infrastructure operations and maintenance.
- Develop and facilitate learning on asset registers, maintenance planning, and operational performance monitoring.
- Support the design of zonal service-delivery models and O&M frameworks.
- Use practical case studies from rural and underserved water systems to strengthen participant learning.
- Advise participants and clients on improving operational efficiency, asset performance and service reliability.
- Facilitate technical workshops with utilities, government institutions and sector stakeholders.
- Contribute technical content to proposals, consultancy assignments and knowledge products.
Minimum Qualifications and Professional Experience
Academic Qualifications
- Degree in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Natural Resources Management, Business Administration or a related field.
- Registration with a relevant professional body, where applicable, and in good standing.
Professional Experience
- At least 10 years of professional experience.
- Experience in water infrastructure operations and maintenance, O&M performance monitoring, or water utility management in technical or commercial roles.
- Specific experience in one or more ASAL counties is required.
- Experience implementing projects funded by the World Bank or other multilateral agencies is an advantage.
- Demonstrated experience structuring O&M services for water supply systems and implementing water supply systems.
Technical Competencies
- Water utility management; infrastructure O&M; asset management; service-delivery models; O&M performance monitoring; operational planning; rural water systems.
Key Skills and Attributes
- Strong practical and field-based problem-solving skills.
- Excellent technical facilitation and presentation skills.
- Ability to communicate complex operational concepts clearly.
- Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
- Professionalism, adaptability and attention to detail.
Training & Facilitation Experience
- Proven experience as a consultant trainer, facilitator, technical adviser, or subject-matter expert.
- Demonstrated ability to translate technical and professional concepts into practical, participant-centred learning.
- Training of Trainers (ToT) certification is an added advantage.
- Strong understanding of adult learning methodologies and competency-based facilitation.
Consultancy Role Focus
- Lead practical learning and advisory assignments relating to rural water utility operations, maintenance systems, asset management and service delivery.
Mode of Engagement
- Successful candidates will be engaged as external consultant trainers on a need basis.
- Assignments may involve training delivery, technical advisory support, curriculum/content development, workshops, facilitation, and related consultancy services.
- Further details, including assignment scope, duration, and professional fees, will be provided during the initial engagement meeting.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV, cover letter, and copies of all required certifications to trainingjobs@indepthresearch.co.ke by 26th August 2026. Please include the title of the position in the subject line.
All documents must be in PDF format.
Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted