The Organisation
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances childrenโs rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.
Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. We support childrenโs rights from birth until they reach adulthood and we enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.
For over 85 years, we have rallied other determined optimists to transform the lives of all children in more than 80 countries.
We wonโt stop until we are all equal.
The Opportunity
The Chief Mechanic & Driver is responsible for leading, planning, and coordinating the maintenance and safe operation of all project machinery, including heavy-duty and light-duty equipment such as drilling rigs, rig engines, hydraulic systems, generators, trucks, vehicles, and related mechanical components. This role ensures accurate diagnostics, timely repairs, and preventive maintenance to optimize drilling operations, improve equipment performance, minimize downtime, and support uninterrupted field activities. Additionally, the position provides dependable driving services to facilitate team mobility and field missions, maximizing project efficiency within limited resourcesโtime, budget, and scopeโwhile maintaining strict compliance with safety standards and operational protocols
The Individual
MSc in Drilling Machine and related material engineering, MSc/ BSc in Mechanical or Electro-Mechanical Engineering; Diploma or Level IV Certificate in Auto Mechanics, Automotive Technology, or a related field. Specialized training in drilling rig operation and maintenance is an asset.
Minimum of 5 years for MSc, 7 years for BSc, and 10 years for Diploma holders in hands-on mechanical maintenance, including vehicles, trucks, heavy-duty equipment, and water well drilling rigs.
Technical Expertise:
Proven expertise in leading, planning, and coordinating critical maintenances and ensuring the safe operation of all drilling project machineries, including heavy-duty and light-duty equipment such as drilling rigs,Ale rig engines, hydraulic systems, generators, trucks, vehicles, and related mechanical components. Strong practical knowledge of drilling rig machine-hydraulic systems, engine, mud system, pneumatic, and diesel-powered systems with proven ability to troubleshoot mechanical and electrical faults. Familiarity with preventive and corrective maintenance schedules, rig machinery, generators, and borehole drilling operations (mud rotary and down-the-hole hammer). Licensing: Valid Grade 3 or higher driving license.
Qualifications/ experience desirable:
Advanced knowledge and skill of leading and planning the O&M of heavy-duty equipment, reliability, efficiency and energy systems of the drilling rig machine Strong analytical, planning, and decision-making abilities to evaluate options and ensure operational efficiencyLanguages required:
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Safeguarding Children and Program Participants (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI)
Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan Internationalโs Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed per the appropriate procedures. Ensures that all staff in the unit/function/department are properly inducted on and understand their role in upholding Plan Internationalโs safeguarding and GEI policies; Ensures that Plan Internationalโs global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in day-to-day work. Ensures that Plan Ethiopia contributes to Plan Internationalโs global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.
Location: Gambella
Type of Role: Fixed term
Reports to: Hydrogeologist Drilling Operations Coordinator
Closing Date: January 08, 2026
This position is only open to Ethiopian Nationals, who must be eligible to live and work in Ethiopia.
Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.
We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.
We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girlsโ rights and inclusion.
Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.
A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.