Building Services Handyman Intern (Plumbing) – Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust
Job Description
Job Description
The Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Research Programme (MLW) is an internationally recognized centre for research and training funded by the Wellcome Trust. We are committed to promoting research and training led by Malawian and international scientists, with the aim of improving the health of people in Malawi and elsewhere in the Region. The programme manages over 100 grants at any given time and has over 800 research and Operations services staff.
As we grow, with an expected 30% growth in research activities, we seek four professional and experienced Building Service apprenticeships (Plumbing, Mechanical, General Fitting, Refrigeration, and Conditioning) to join our Facilities Team to support our growing operations.
The apprentice will report to the building services engineer and is responsible for facilitating operational support for MLW studies and keeping track of key indicators in all MLW. To coordinate primary operational support activities, the interns will work closely with field site administrators, project managers/coordinators, and field site focal persons. This is a six-month contract based in Blantyre.
POSITION IDENTIFICATION
Department: Facilities
Job Title: Building Services Technician Intern-Plumbing
Title of Immediate Supervisor: Building Service Engineer
Location: Blantyre
POSITION FUNCTION (PURPOSE):
The Building Services handyman (under internship) shall support the Building Services Engineer in providing customer-focused cost-effective building services of facilities by carrying out various maintenance tasks/activities.
Responsibilities
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: The major duties and tasks of this job.
- Under the supervision of the Building Services Engineer, develop the scope of works, bills of quantities (BOQs), and detailed drawings for building services plumbing systems
- Performing preventive, corrective, routine (cleaning, lubricating, replacing plumbing fixtures) and planned maintenance of plumbing systems, such as maintaining and repairing equipment under the supervision of the building servicing Engineer. .
- Install and connect pipes, fittings, and fixtures for new projects and maintenance tasks
- Diagnose and repair leaks, blockages, and other plumbing issues across MLW facilities
- Maintain and replace plumbing fixtures and appliances (e.g., toilets, sinks, water heaters).
- Troubleshoot and resolve plumbing-related problems.
- Use various tools and equipment (e.g., pipe cutters, drain snakes, wrenches) in carrying out routine/planned maintenance tasks and emergency repairs related to plumbing.
- Always follow safety protocols and regulations relevant to the tasks assigned
- Collaborate with other tradespeople (e.g., electricians, carpenters), institutions such as Water Board, QECH and other relevant institutions
- Read and interpret blueprints, diagrams, and specifications.
- Estimate materials and labor costs related to Plumbing and sewer systems
- Provide excellent customer service.
- Prepare timely reports for maintenance activities and propose innovative solutions to improve service delivery and reduce maintenance costs
- Andy any other tasks assigned from time to time
KEY COMPETENCIES/ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS (e.g. IT Skills, Personality, Communication, Teamwork etc)
- Troubleshooting and repairing skills
- Numerical and analytical skills
- Innovative and creative
- Written and speaking report writing skills.
- Team player
DECISION MAKING: 3-5 decisions required on the job with minimum input or checking by supervisors.
- Decide on the course of action to take in the event of an emergency
- Decide on maintenance model to use when carrying out maintenance of the buildings.
- Clearly come up with daily assigned work plans and give them priority levels.
- Decide on the type of maintenance to be used
(a) Manuals, policies, procedures or guidelines that govern decision-making:
- Maintenance manual
- Building inspections SOP’s.
- Fuel tank inspections SOP’s.
(b) Financial decisions required in this job (e.g. budgets, expenditures, petty cash etc)
- Critically analyzing quotations given by suppliers so that there is value for money and deciding on who should carry out the works based on the analysis
(c) Key performance indicators (KPIs)
- System uptime and availability.
- Customer satisfaction ratings.
- Mean time to repair (MTTR).
- Mean time between failures (MTBF).
- Compliance with HSEQ and regulatory requirements.
RESPONSIBILITY:
(a) For people (supervisory):
- No supervisory role
(b) For resources:
- The Building Services Handyman shall be fully responsible in managing maintenance items stock.
- The Building Services Handyman shall be fully responsible in managing maintenance working tools.
WORK COMPLEXITY: The degree of complexity of the job i.e. how simple, standardized or complicated the work is:
- The Building Services Handyman will be required to work under pressure.
- He/She will be working odd hours and will be required to come to work earlier sometimes
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ERRORS: The impact of errors on organizational resources, customers, processes, equipment etc.
- The Building Services Handyman shall be required to work with extreme care as his work is delicate, since it involves business continuity of the organization.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Inconvenient or disagreeable aspects of the job e.g. exposure to heat, dirt, outside work, constant interruptions, hazards, uncomfortable situations etc.
(a) Uncomfortable Conditions:
- Working on risky/ hazardous systems, for example plumbing systems i.e flushing blocked plumbing systems.
(b) Job Hazards:
- Septic tank overflows
- Untreated wastewater
- Exposure to foul.
- Falling from heights
- Water jets
ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS/CONTACTS: Local and international contacts, frequency, purpose and method etc.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS: (i.e. Education, Training, and Experience Requirements).
Education: The minimum level of education required to perform all the duties of the job to standard.
- Diploma in Plumbing or Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
- Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE)
- A Level 3 TEVET or City and Guild Grade I in Plumbing.
Experience: The minimum number of years of experience required to perform all the duties of the job to standard.
- At least 1 years’ relevant experience.
Applications are to be received no later than 14th November 2024
Interested applicants should apply by sending a cover letter, copies of relevant certificates, and a detailed CV with three traceable referees (at least two professional referees) to the address below or emailing it to training@mlw.mw. This should be in one PDF format and saved using file names starting with the following pattern:
“Surname_GivenNames_MLWFacilitiesApprenticeship_Application.”
MLW recognizes its responsibility in safeguarding and protecting communities, research participants and patients with whom MLW is working. Please note that successful candidates will be requested to undergo a safeguarding check prior to appointment and at regular time points during employment.
ONLY SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED.