The Small Scale Irrigation Intern (SSII), under the direct supervision of Ndongo United Herbalists Association Executive Director will provide guidance to enable the organization establish a small scale irrigation system in Nyakiyumbu Sub-County Kasese district-Uganda. This effort is part of the organization’s wide initiative intended to increase crop production all through the year hence increasing incomes, increasing the levels of food security in the households, creating employment and general improvement of living standards in Nyakiyumbu communities. Guidance on small scale irrigation will help the organization to identify a farmer managed small scale irrigation system with little or no external intervention and that uses a technology which the farmers can effectively operate and maintain.
The SSII will spend majority of the time in field and less time at the office doing some documentation work. Typical work schedule for this position is Monday – Friday from 9.00am-4.00pm. The intern may come earlier or leave late than the stipulated time if she/he wishes. She/he may also be asked to attend some community meetings during weekends if need be depending on the meetings schedules.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
A. Training and Briefing: (approximately 10% of the time)
B. Conduct an assessment of what system of irrigation is suitable to be designed for the area and the technology to be applied: (approximately 70% of the time)
C. Design the irrigation system that suits the area: (approximately 20% of the time)
D. Share findings of the assessment and the recommended irrigation system (no more than 10% of the time)
All internships involve providing ongoing support to various organizational initiatives, including but not limited to assisting with information management, documentation, participating in meetings and other outreach programs. As an intern for the organization, it is expected that you will provide occasional support of this type as needed, along with other duties and activities identified by your direct supervisor.
Expected Outcomes:
Supervision and Guidance
The SSII is expected to carry out most of the job functions under the direct supervision of the Executive Director and in coordination and cooperation with the organization’s team. In addition to the direct supervisor, the intern will be assigned a counterpart who will serve as an additional point of resource and reference.
Desired Qualifications
Other
The SSII will spend majority of the time in field and less time at the office doing some documentation work. Typical work schedule for this position is Monday – Friday from 9.00am-4.00pm. The intern may come earlier or leave late than the stipulated time if she/he wishes. She/he may also be asked to attend some community meetings during weekends if need be depending on the meetings schedules.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
A. Training and Briefing: (approximately 10% of the time)
- The organization staff will need a hands-on familiarization and understanding of irrigation systems including small scale irrigation.
B. Conduct an assessment of what system of irrigation is suitable to be designed for the area and the technology to be applied: (approximately 70% of the time)
- Assess the natural conditions such as soil type, slope, climate, water quality and availability and type of crop
- Compile a report of the assessment findings
C. Design the irrigation system that suits the area: (approximately 20% of the time)
- Recommend which method suits the local conditions best.
- Provide the best basis for a sound choice of irrigation method (required labour inputs, costs and benefits, the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods etc)
D. Share findings of the assessment and the recommended irrigation system (no more than 10% of the time)
- Share findings of the assessment and the recommended irrigation system
- Share previous experience with irrigation
All internships involve providing ongoing support to various organizational initiatives, including but not limited to assisting with information management, documentation, participating in meetings and other outreach programs. As an intern for the organization, it is expected that you will provide occasional support of this type as needed, along with other duties and activities identified by your direct supervisor.
Expected Outcomes:
- The entire Ndongo United Herbalists Association staff, volunteers and members will have received at least 6 hours of training and briefing on irrigation systems and an understanding of small scale irrigation and technologies applied.
- An assessment report on the natural conditions to support an irrigation system (soil type, slope, climate, water quality and availability, and type of crop)
- A list of recommended small scale irrigation methods suiting the local conditions
Supervision and Guidance
The SSII is expected to carry out most of the job functions under the direct supervision of the Executive Director and in coordination and cooperation with the organization’s team. In addition to the direct supervisor, the intern will be assigned a counterpart who will serve as an additional point of resource and reference.
Desired Qualifications
- Education: Pursuing or achieved a university degree in Irrigation Engineering
- Prior Experience: Previous experience working, volunteering or traveling abroad, especially in the Global South and/or with rural communities, in addition to comparable experience or education within a related field.
- Language Proficiency: Spoken and written fluency in English.
- Knowledge: Solid working knowledge of community development and the host-country’s culture/history/current events; demonstrated ability to maintain working level contacts with NGO officials and host families; and demonstrated experience and skills in supporting of training or educational events.
- Skills and Abilities: Community development skills, assessment of areas to identify the irrigation systems to be designed for particular areas and technologies that can be applied, designing irrigation systems, ability to take initiative, work under minimal guidance both in office and field settings, excellent computer skills in word-processing and database management, motivation and commitment to work effectively as part of an inter-cultural team and excellent interpersonal skills.
Other
- The organization has only one computer and the intern will be required to come with or her own laptop.
- Ndongo United Herbalist Association does not have own means of transport. They use hired motorcycles or walk for a few miles to reach their fields.
