Apply By: 31 August 2010

Uganda | Internship

Description

JOB TITLE:      Product Development Intern

LOCATION:      Mbarara, UGANDA

DURATION:      12 months (with possibility of extension)

START DATE: September 2010

SUMMARY: The Product Development Intern will work closely with the RI field staff and the clients using the flexible rainwater storage product to identify customer preferences for features and propose product and installation modifications to meet these issues. He/ She will work closely with the RI Technical Director to develop improved products.  The successful candidate will also work closely with the Project Manager to ensure that supply chain for the product is maintained.  In the event that final assembly of the product is necessary in Uganda the successful candidate will oversee the final assembly process.

This position is based in Uganda and will be part of the RI/EWV Domestic Rainwater Harvesting Project.  More information on the project can be found at:  http://drwh.enterpriseworks.org/

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical Support:

• Provide oversight and supervise training for workers that are assembling or installing the flexible membrane tanks;
• Participate in focus group discussions  with users or the flexible membrane tanks to obtain feedback from the clients and translate the feedback into suggested design modifications;
• Provide follow-up in the field for the early adopters to identify potential design and performance issues and to recommend solutions to the RI Technical Staff;
• Provide inputs to improve the product performance and reduce costs.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduate engineer with a specialization in product design, materials science, production engineering or related field.
• A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Experience in product design and manufacture a plus.
• Experience living and working in a developing country context.
• Strong motivation to take on the challenges involved in developing products for the households at the bottom of the pyramid.
• Fluency in English.

Salary / Pay: A stipend of $1350 per month.

Accommodations: Stipend includes housing costs.  RI will assist with finding appropriate lodging for intern.

Insurance: Traveler’s Health and Evacuation Insurance provided.

Airfaire: Cost of airfare included (1 roundtrip ticket)

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

To be considered for this recruitment, please submit a cover letter, resume, salary history, 3 professional supervisory references (whom we may contact after a second interview) with the date of availability to ‘+’productdevelopmentresumes’+’@’+’ri.org’+’
productdevelopmentresumes(at)ri.org productdevelopmentresumes@ri.org .  Incomplete applications will not be considered.  The email subject line MUST include the following: Product Development Intern. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply ASAP.