The Rig Machine Maintenance Operator is responsible for operating, maintaining, and ensuring the safe performance of drilling rig machines and associated equipment. The role ensures timely preventive and corrective maintenance of rig machinery, supports drilling operations, and minimizes downtime to achieve project objectives of providing safe and sustainable water access.

Please click here to review the full job description

Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI)

• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

• Ensures that all staff in the unit/function/department are properly inducted on and understands their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and GEI policies;

• Ensures that Plan International’s 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 International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted

Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitoring rig equipment functionality and performing routine maintenance checks.

• Operating and repairing rig machinery including engines, mud pumps, power swivels, and power tools.

• Ensuring well servicing, plugging procedures, and safety regulations are followed.

• Leading or supporting rig crew in assembling, transporting, and maintaining rig equipment.

• Managing inventory of equipment, maintaining logs and documentation of maintenance and safety procedures.

Job Requirements

• Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical/Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Auto Mechanics, or related field.

• Specialized training in drilling rig operation and maintenance preferred.

• Minimum of 5–7 years’ experience in rig machine operation and maintenance (preferably with water well drilling rigs).

• Experience working with NGOs, humanitarian projects, or field-based drilling programs is an advantage.

• Strong hands-on experience with hydraulic, pneumatic, and diesel-powered rig systems.

• Proficiency in troubleshooting mechanical/electrical faults in drilling rigs and associated equipment.

• Knowledge of preventive and corrective maintenance schedules.

• Familiarity with borehole drilling operations (mud rotary, down-the-hole hammer, or percussion drilling).

How To Apply

The closing date for the application is September 25, 2025. Qualified candidates should submit their application with THIS LINK

This position is only open to Ethiopian Nationals, who must be eligible to live and work in Ethiopia.

Please note that: 

• Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

• We are not accepting CVs that are not sent through the indicated links.

• Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to Apply

More information about Plan International can be found on http://plan-international.org 

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all persons meeting the skills and experience required. As an international child centered community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realization of children's rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with. 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. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.