Water Quality Lead
Bujumbura, Burundi
Full Time
Manager/Supervisor
Amazi Water is seeking an experienced and technically competent Water Quality Lead to provide leadership for the organization's water quality management, laboratory operations, water safety, and regulatory compliance. Reporting to the Senior Technical Manager, the role will lead the implementation of Amazi Water's water quality strategy, oversee laboratory systems, supervise the Water Quality team, and drive continuous improvement in water quality monitoring, treatment, and reporting.
The successful candidate will work closely with technical teams, government agencies, and communities to ensure safe, reliable, and sustainable water services across all Amazi Water projects while strengthening organizational systems, innovation, and technical capacity.
Key Tasks & Responsibilities
Water Quality Management & Compliance
Laboratory Management
Supervision & Team Management
Academic Qualifications
The successful candidate will work closely with technical teams, government agencies, and communities to ensure safe, reliable, and sustainable water services across all Amazi Water projects while strengthening organizational systems, innovation, and technical capacity.
Key Tasks & Responsibilities
Water Quality Management & Compliance
- Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of Amazi Water's water quality monitoring program for both new and existing water systems.
- Ensure consistent, accurate, and timely water quality testing across all operational areas.
- Review, analyze, and interpret water quality data and provide recommendations to management and technical teams.
- Ensure compliance with Amazi Water standards, Government of Burundi regulations, and WHO drinking water quality guidelines.
- Lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of Amazi Water's chlorination and water treatment programs.
- Lead investigations into water quality incidents, contamination risks, and non-compliance issues and implement corrective actions.
- Develop, review, and update water quality policies, standards, SOPs, and operational guidelines.
- Prepare annual work plans, budgets, and procurement forecasts for water quality operations.
- Manage water quality equipment, laboratory assets, and testing supplies.
- Produce regular technical reports, trend analyses, and management updates.
- Ensure accurate data collection, record keeping, and reporting systems.
Laboratory Management
- Manage Amazi Water's water quality laboratory.
- Ensure laboratory procedures, equipment calibration, quality assurance systems, and documentation meet required standards.
- Develop laboratory testing protocols and maintain accurate laboratory records.
- Manage laboratory consumables, chemicals, equipment maintenance, and inventory systems.
Supervision & Team Management
- Supervise, mentor, and develop the Water Quality Technicians, Water System Monitors to ensure high performance and professional growth.
- Establish annual objectives, work plans, and performance expectations for the Water Quality team.
- Conduct regular coaching, performance reviews, and technical competency assessments.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and operational excellence.
- Develop and implement annual training plans for Water Quality staff, System Operators, Water Technicians, and other operational teams.
- Lead internal training programs on water quality standards, sampling methodologies, laboratory procedures, chlorination, water safety planning, and quality assurance.
- Train operators and technicians on chlorination practices, dosing calculations, chemical handling, and treatment monitoring.
- Develop training materials, SOPs, manuals, and technical guidance documents.
- Support the development and delivery of water quality modules within the Amazi Water Training Centre (AWTC).
- Identify, evaluate, and pilot innovative technologies, methodologies, and tools to improve water quality monitoring, treatment, and reporting.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness of water quality operations.
- Research emerging water quality challenges and recommend practical solutions suitable for the Burundian context.
- Research and recommend appropriate treatment technologies suitable for the Burundian context.
- Benchmark Amazi Water’s water quality practices against national and international standards and recommend improvements.
- Establish and maintain robust water quality management systems, procedures, and quality assurance protocols.
- Develop and maintain water quality databases, dashboards, and reporting systems to support evidence-based decision-making.
- Ensure all laboratory procedures, equipment calibration, testing methods, and record-keeping meet required quality standards.
- Lead investigations into water quality incidents, contamination events, and non-conformities and implement corrective actions.
- Ensure compliance with national water quality regulations and relevant international standards.
- Serve as the primary focal point for government agencies, laboratories, universities, NGOs, and sector partners on water quality matters.
- Contribute technical input to project design, proposal development, donor reports, and organizational strategies.
- Support the development and implementation of Water Safety Plans (WSPs) across Amazi Water systems.
- Build healthy relationships with other water organizations and water quality institutions in the country of Burundi.
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Water Engineering, Public Health, Environmental Health, Water Resources Management, or a related field.
- Master's Degree in a relevant field is an added advantage.
- Professional certification or training in Water Quality Management, Laboratory Management, Water Safety Planning (WSP), or Quality Assurance is highly desirable.
- Minimum 6 years of progressive experience in water quality management, laboratory operations, water treatment, or environmental health.
- Demonstrated experience supervising technical teams and managing laboratory operations.
- Experience implementing water quality monitoring programmes, chlorination systems, and quality assurance processes.
- Experience working with NGOs, government institutions, or water utilities is an added advantage.
- Strong experience analysing and interpreting water quality data and preparing technical reports.
- Strong knowledge of WHO drinking water quality guidelines and national water quality standards.
- Excellent knowledge of water treatment, chlorination systems, laboratory management, and Water Safety Planning (WSP).
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical reporting skills.
- Experience using digital data collection and monitoring systems.
- Strong planning, organisational, and project management skills.
- Excellent leadership, coaching, and team development abilities.
- Professional fluency in English, French, and Kirundi, both written and spoken.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel regularly throughout Burundi.
Apply for this position
Required*