We are currently looking for an experienced Waste Water Engineer or Public Health Engineer to join our partner in Malawi for 2-3 weeks.
Organisation summary:
A hospital in south-east Malawi is working on a programme to improve its infrastructure. This includes the renovation and preventative maintenance of buildings, improvement of water supply and sanitation, system and advise on options for improvement.
Job description:
We are looking for a suitably qualified / experienced engineer to visit and survey the hospital drainage layout and advise on combining the various septic tanks into a single system. He/she would need to give costed options with advantages and disadvantages, and advise on emptying / maintenance schedules, as appropriate.
There are three options to be considered:
1. Do nothing but improve existing tanks
2. Improve / combine existing tanks and soakaways
3. Provide a new sewage treatment system for the whole hospital (and staff accommodation houses) using a large septic tanks and soakaway / reed bed or other locally sustainable system.
Flows should be calculated for the various wards / buildings and advice given on whether there is sufficient velocity in the sewers to minimise the risk of blockages and determine whether in some areas (e.g. laundry) there could be hydraulic overloading.
The volunteer would also be required to provide advice on the practicalities of reed bed systems (e.g. horizontal or vertical) or soakaways – taking into account factors such as reducing the risk of mosquito breeding or groundwater contamination.
Requirements:
The successful applicant will be a chartered or incorporated civil engineer or equivalent and have experience of carrying out feasibility studies on sewage schemes preferably in hot climates. They should have experience (or free access to experience) of reed bed systems in hot climates, maintenance of sewerage systems and be able to work on their own.
Please note that this is a voluntary position. Although accommodation will be provided by our partner organisation, volunteers will be required to raise some funds to cover their flights and time overseas.