The purpose of the USAID Expanding Water and Sanitation Project is to promote accountability for reliable and high-quality WASH services, and to enhance the enabling environment for private sector engagement (PSE) in service delivery in Zambia. This project will incorporate a series of interventions that support and strengthen sector governance and enhance public-private partnerships for improved WASH service delivery in a manner that: i) institutionalizes market-based WASH service delivery through financially sustainable and inclusive management models; ii) increases accountability of WASH service providers, policymakers, and civic leaders; iii) supports policy and regulatory reform; and iv) increases private sector participation. These interventions together will provide increased access to safe water, improved sanitation, and enhance the capacity of Zambian government, private sector, and civil society organizations.

The project has designed and operationalized a Construction Fund (CF) for new, expansion, and/or rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructures.  The fund will support new piped water systems or expansion of existing infrastructure for water and sanitation services. It is envisaged that the construction works to be undertaken will help service providers to achieve financial and operational improvements, in addition to piloting private sector partnerships.

The construction fund will be disbursed to undertake the following construction activities in areas that will qualify based on the selection and evaluation process.

Water Supply:

• New boreholes with Hand Pumps
• Rehabilitated and improved boreholes with Hand Pumps
• Household and Community Water Connections Including:
• Solar Systems with Distribution Network
• Extensions and Rehabilitated Distribution Network
• Innovative surface water compact filtration
• Water Kiosks

Sanitation:

• Waterborne Toilets (institutions only)
• Sewer Connections and Rehabilitation

Purpose and Justification of Activity

Under USAID Expanding WASH, an internship program will be established to include activities that link students and recent graduates of institutions of learning (Universities, Colleges, trade schools) to Commercial Utilities (CUs) and Local Authorities (LAs). Interns will be hired to support construction activities under this program.

As part of the internship program, the Water Operations Intern will be based at the Commercial Community, Chambeshi Water and Sanitation Company Ltd, in the Kasama District, Northern Province and work to support the USAID Expanding WASH Project Construction Fund with data entry and provide support to the execution of various phases of the construction life cycle. The intern will support the phases of construction site identification, associated site evaluations, and implementation of construction WASH Infrastructure. The intern will work under the supervision of the Construction Fund Manager in USAID Expanding WASH and have a dotted line to the provincial team.

Learning Objectives:

• Experience working with construction management software and systems including:
  • Data collection and analysis using Mwater app during the Site Selection and Field Appraisals
  • Tracking progress and updates on the status of project using Microsoft Project
  • Construction monitoring in dispersed sites by using the Global Build Solution App (Information Management System).
  • Smartsheet for task and timeline management, as well as overall organization
• The Intern will also learn about the construction management life cycle which includes the planning phase, design phase, procurement of construction services, contracting and overall contract management during construction implementation.

Responsibilities
Entry and verification of data related to construction and other USAID Expanding WASH activities

Support stakeholder meeting planning, including facilitation and collateral preparation, such as agenda drafting, presentation development, etc.

Assist with drafting meeting minutes

Assist in construction related procurement follow ups with contractors and suppliers to ensure timely deliveries

Assist tracking of construction contracts and managing timely renewal/change order processes

Assist maintaining proper filing of construction procurement documents in SharePoint

Organize disposition of project construction assets when required

Assist with preparations for Site Selection Field Appraisals and other construction activities

Assist with preliminary review and comments on Site Selection Field Appraisal data collected

Assist with compiling summary reports of data collection for Site Selection Field Appraisal

RTII’s Internship Program emphasizes experiential and mentored learning experiences, providing students and recent degree recipients an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge and skills in a meaningful and practical way. We are committed to developing the future workforce by encouraging interns to explore various career paths in a nonprofit research institute setting that values diversity and inclusion. Through this program, interns will be exposed to RTII’s open and educational culture; support RTII’s mission to improve the human condition; and build upon their career goals.

Additional Information

This in-person internship is supported by a monthly stipend. The position is scheduled to be active from May 2024 through August 2024. The internship requires a minimum commitment of 40 hours per week. This internship will have a specific daily start and end time.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

Must be a Zambian Citizen

Must reside in the Kasama District, Northern Province

Must be a recent undergraduate degree recipient with a minimum qualification of university degree or college diploma in Water Engineering.

Recent undergraduate degree recipients who received their degrees in August 2023 or after would be eligible to apply.

Must be computer literate and possess a functional computer.

Excellent communication and organization skills.

Demonstrated initiative and self-motivation in performing assigned tasks.

Preferred Qualifications

• N/A

EEO & Pay Equity Statements
As a global employer of choice, RTII is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace and the communities and markets where we serve our mission. We value diversity of thought, culture, background and perspective and welcome applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, creed, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable discrimination laws or RTII policy.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Further information is available here.

Research Triangle Institute International, LLC is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach and one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering, and international development. We believe in the promise of science, and we are inspired every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses around the world. For more information, visit www.rti.org.