Rwanda Plumbing and Mechanical Engineer (Fixed-Term)

One Acre Fund is a nonprofit organization that supplies smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa with the farm inputs, financing, training, and market access they need to grow more food and earn more income. Operating across nine countries including Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the organization works with millions of farming families who rely on small, rain-fed plots of land as their primary source of livelihood. By delivering quality seeds, fertilizer, and agricultural services directly to rural farmers, One Acre Fund reports helping clients achieve approximately 45% more farm income on the same land area. One Acre Fund's sustainability and climate mission is embedded throughout its programs. The organization focuses on climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, including agroforestry and tree-planting initiatives, financing and insurance products to help farmers weather climate-related shocks, and innovation in climate-resilient agricultural practices. These efforts are designed to strengthen the long-term resilience of smallholder farmers who are among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, while also contributing to carbon sequestration and reduced agricultural emissions across the continent. What distinguishes One Acre Fund is its last-mile delivery model, which brings bundled services directly to farmers in remote rural areas, combined with a rigorous impact measurement methodology including social return on investment analysis. The organization also prioritizes gender-smart agriculture, with women comprising more than 50% of its client base, and maintains a strong commitment to evidence-based programming and transparent reporting on outcomes.

About One Acre Fund

Founded in 2006, One Acre Fund equips 5.5 million smallholder farmers to make their farms more productive. Across nine countries that together are home to two-thirds of Africa's farmers, we provide high-quality farm supplies, tree seedlings, accessible credit, modern agronomic training, and a wide range of other agricultural services. On average, this model enables any farmer to increase their income and assets on supported land by more than 35 percent, while permanently improving their resilience. This is all made possible by our team of 9,000+ full-time staff, drawn from diverse backgrounds and professions.

To learn more, please see our Why Work Here blog post.

About the Role

Seeking an experienced Mechanical/Plumbing Engineer with 7 years of experience to oversee the designs and installation of high-quality building services systems for major seed processing facilities that support long-term agricultural operations.

Responsibilities

Lead Technical Design Review & Engineering Oversight

• Review and validate designs for plumbing, HVAC/ventilation, fire protection, and water systems, ensuring accuracy, coordination, and constructability.
• Provide technical guidance, resolve design gaps, and approve contractor submissions including materials and method statements.
• Monitor installation quality and ensure compliance with approved designs and engineering standards.

Oversee Construction & System Implementation

• Supervise installation of mechanical and plumbing systems across buildings and external infrastructure (water supply, sewer, drainage, irrigation, and pumping systems).
• Conduct site inspections to ensure alignment with drawings, specifications, and BoQs.
• Oversee testing and commissioning, verifying system performance prior to handover.

Ensure Quality, Safety & Cross-Disciplinary Coordination

• Enforce quality standards and ensure adherence to safety procedures across all mechanical and plumbing works.
• Inspect materials and installations to ensure compliance with project requirements.
• Coordinate with civil, structural, architectural, and electrical teams to prevent design and installation conflicts.

Drive Technical Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Resolve on-site engineering challenges related to design, installation, and system performance.
• Review contractor reports, technical queries, and claims, providing clear engineering recommendations.
• Capture and document lessons learned to improve future project delivery and technical standards.

Build Team Capability & Support Project Delivery

• Provide technical guidance  to contractor teams to ensure high-quality execution.
• Support development of technical documentation, scopes of work, and engineering inputs for projects.
• Contribute to team development and, where applicable, supervise junior engineering staff.

Career Growth and Development

We have a strong culture of constant learning and we invest in developing our people. You’ll have weekly check-ins with your manager, access to mentorship and training programs, and regular feedback on your performance. We hold career reviews every six months, and set aside time to discuss your aspirations and career goals. You’ll have the opportunity to shape a growing organization and build a rewarding long-term career.

Qualifications

Across all roles, these are the general qualifications we look for. For this role specifically, you will have:

• With 7 years of relevant experience in mechanical/building services engineering with design and construction oversight.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Plumbing Engineering, Building Services Engineering or a related field.
• Professional registration with the Institution of Engineers Rwanda is an added advantage.
• Proficiency in CAD tools (e.g. AutoCAD, Revit MEP) and ability to interpret complex engineering drawings.
• Solid understanding of construction principles, building codes, and occupational health and safety standards.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical and plumbing systems, including water supply, drainage, sewer, HVAC, fire protection, and pumping systems.
• Strong communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda; French is an added advantage.
  
  

Preferred Start Date

As soon as possible

Job Location

Bugesera, Rwanda

Benefits

Health insurance, paid time off 

Contract Duration

1 year

Eligibility

This role is only open to citizens or permanent residents of Rwanda.

Application Deadline

31 October 2026. Please note that we hire on a rolling basis, which means that applications are reviewed and processed on a continuous basis until a hire is made.

One Acre Fund never asks candidates to pay any money or pay for tests at any stage of the interview process. Official One Acre Fund emails will always arrive from an @oneacrefund.org address. Please report any suspicious communication here ([email protected]), but do not send applications or application materials to this email address.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI), and anti-racism are deeply connected to our organization’s mission and purpose. One Acre Fund aspires to build a culture where all staff feel consistently valued, represented, and connected – so that our team can thrive as professionals, and achieve exceptional impact for the farmers we serve.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.