Terms of Reference (TOR):
Position Tile: Water Security and Hydrogeology Specialist
Number of Vacancy: 1
Project Name: Water Resource Management & Lake Rejuvenation
Employment type: Consultancy
Employment Duration Fixed Term
About WASH Institute
The Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Institute (WASH Institute) works in close coordination with central, state, and urban local bodies (ULBs), as well as development partners and donor-funded initiatives, to deploy sustainable urban used water management, climate-resilient sanitation, and environmental infrastructure solutions. As the organization expands its footprint in water security, source sustainability, and climate-resilient water resource planning, a critical focus is placed on understanding groundwater dynamics, evaluating sub-surface water movement, and maintaining local water balances. To support upcoming large-scale projects—specifically regarding lake rejuvenation, watershed management, artificial groundwater recharge, and decentralized treated used water reuse—the institute intends to strengthen its internal technical capacity.
To support these initiatives, the organization seeks to engage a full-time senior technical professional who will function both as a Project Lead and as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to provide strategic, managerial, and technical leadership across project portfolios. In this regard, the selected Water Security and Hydrogeology Specialist will lead and support technical initiatives related to surface water, groundwater systems, aquifer mapping, recharge planning, and integrated water resource management.
Purpose of the Position
The Project Lead – Water Security, Hydrogeology and Lake Rejuvenation will provide overall leadership, technical oversight, and project management for initiatives on water security, groundwater management, aquifer sustainability, lake rejuvenation, watershed restoration, and climate-resilient water resource planning.
The position will lead hydrogeological assessments, subsurface investigations, groundwater modelling, and scientific validation of recharge and restoration strategies to ensure that projects are based on robust technical evidence. The role will support the design of interventions that improve water security, enhance aquifer recharge, protect groundwater quality, restore hydrological balance in urban lakes and catchments, and promote safe and sustainable reuse of treated used water.
The incumbent will serve as the organisation’s lead technical expert on hydrogeology and water security, while also managing multidisciplinary teams, coordinating with government and donor stakeholders, reviewing technical outputs, guiding GIS-based planning, and developing high-quality technical reports, DPR inputs, and knowledge products.
Key Roles and Responsibilities:
The Water Security and Hydrogeology Specialist / Senior Hydrogeologist will function as a core technical lead and team member, responsible for executing, coordinating, and reviewing tasks across the following key domains:
Technical Leadership and Subject Matter Expertise
A Hydrogeological Assessments & Groundwater Modeling
• Lead and oversee hydrogeological investigations, aquifer mapping, geophysical surveys, groundwater monitoring, and field validation studies.
• Analyse geological formations, lithological logs, aquifer characteristics, infiltration rates, permeability, groundwater levels, and extraction patterns to assess aquifer behaviour and sustainable yield
• Support the identification, planning, and design of artificial recharge structures and Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems, including recharge pits, shafts, check dams, percolation ponds, and trenches.
• Assess risks to groundwater quality arising from treated used water reuse, stormwater infiltration, contaminated runoff, and land-use changes, and recommend mitigation measures
B. Surface water, Lake Rejuvenation & Watershed Management
• Lead technical assessments of urban lakes, wetlands, and catchment hydrology to guide sustainable restoration and nature-based solutions.
• Provide technical inputs on the interaction between surface water and groundwater systems to maintain the ecological and volumetric water balance of urban lakes.
• Evaluate sub-surface silt patterns, seepage rates, and catchment hydrology to guide sustainable lake restoration designs.
• Develop integrated water balance and water security frameworks that align groundwater availability, recharge potential, lake restoration objectives, and reuse of treated used water.
C. GIS Spatial Mapping & Data Analysis
• Lead interpretation of GIS and remote sensing data for watershed delineation, aquifer boundary mapping, recharge zoning, lake catchment analysis, land-use assessment, and spatial decision support
• Maintain and systematically update water-related databases and project information systems.
• Integrate spatial, field, and monitoring data into planning tools, technical reports, and project decision-making processes.
D. Technical documentation, Knowledge Management & Capacity Building
• Design, develop, and deliver targeted training curriculums, specialized technical modules, and structural capacity-building programs on hydrogeology, watershed management, and climate-resilient water conservation for municipal engineers, administrative staff, and institutional stakeholders
• Prepare and review technical reports, hydrogeological assessment notes, recharge plans, DPR inputs, concept notes, presentations, and policy briefs.
Project Leadership and Management
Project Management, Compliance & Stakeholder Coordination
• Lead end-to-end project planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and closure across water security and lake rejuvenation portfolios.
• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership to a multi-disciplinary team of hydrogeologists, GIS analysts, field engineers, and external consultants
• Develop project implementation strategies, annual work plans, project schedules, and delivery roadmaps.
• Liaise and coordinate closely with government departments, municipal corporations, urban local bodies (ULBs), and development/donor agencies for projects and programs.
• Ensure timely completion of all project outputs in accordance with contractual commitments, technical standards, and organizational objectives.
• Mentor and build the technical and managerial capacity of project staff and junior professionals.
• Monitor project budgets, expenditures, and financial performance to ensure effective utilization of resources.
• Support procurement processes and engagement of consultants, contractors, and technical service providers.
• Review consultant contracts, scopes of work, and technical deliverables to ensure quality and contractual compliance.
• Oversee resource planning and deployment to optimize project efficiency and delivery.
Reporting and Team Interface
The specialist will report to the designated Programme Director / Technical Head and will work closely with project managers, GIS specialists, environmental engineers, planners, field teams, consultants, and partner institutions. The role is expected to provide technical guidance and mentoring to project teams
Qualification and Experience Criteria
• Minimum: Master’s Degree (M.Sc. / M. Tech) in Hydrogeology, Geology, Applied Geology, or Water Resource Engineering with a hydrogeological focus.
• Preferred: Ph.D. in a relevant domain or specialized post-graduate certifications in Groundwater Modeling (e.g., MODFLOW) and advanced GIS/Remote Sensing software.
• Good writing skills
• Understanding of water and sanitation themes and issues is desirable and must have strong interest in working in the sector.
• Fluency in English is essential with regional languages.
Professional Experience:
• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience in groundwater exploration, aquifer mapping, watershed management, or water infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience working on government-led water security programs, lake restoration, watershed development programs, or major urban rejuvenation initiatives.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully managing multi-disciplinary engineering and environmental teams.
Key Skills:
• GIS & Remote Sensing: High proficiency in ArcGIS or QGIS for spatial analysis and watershed mapping. Familiarity with Google Earth Engine is an asset.
• Hydrological Modeling: Familiarity with or exposure to software tools like MODFLOW, FEFLOW, SWAT, or HEC-HMS.
• Data & Field Tools: Competency in MS Excel, Power BI, AutoCAD, and the use of physical GPS or field mapping survey tools.
• Soft Skills: Strong analytical capabilities, multi-disciplinary teamwork mindset, and excellent technical presentation skills to confidently interface with technical committees and senior stakeholders.
Strong leadership and presentation skills to interface comfortably with senior government bureaucrats, multilateral donors, and technical committees
How to Apply?
Please submit your updated curriculum vitae in the form link provided below:
https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/x/GLddSWCF
For any Queries, please contact karthik@washinstitute.org.
The last date to submit your application is June 16, 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
WASH Institute is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women candidates to apply. WASH Institute does not discriminate candidates based on age, caste, class, sex, gender, religion, nationality, ethnicity, disability, and health.