Terms of Reference (TOR):
Position Tile: Senior Expert – Urban Used water Management (UWM)
Number of Vacancy: 1
Project Name: Used Water Management
Employment type: Regulars
Employment Duration Fixed Term
About WASH Institute
The Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Institute (WASH Institute) is actively involved in providing technical assistance, capacity building, and project management support for the implementation of national sanitation missions, including the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0. The organization works closely with the Central Government, State Governments, and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to plan, design, and implement sustainable solutions for water supply, liquid waste management, and urban infrastructure rejuvenation. These assignments involve technical planning, preparation of DPRs, engineering design, project management, implementation support, institutional strengthening, and advisory support to Central, State and Urban Local Governments.
To strengthen its technical and project management capabilities, the organization intends to engage a Senior Used Water Management Expert who will lead and manage projects from planning through implementation while providing strategic technical guidance and ensuring effective coordination with government agencies and project stakeholders.
3. Objective of the Assignment
To provide technical leadership and project management support for planning, design, implementation, monitoring and advisory services related to used water management, sewerage infrastructure, wastewater treatment, septage management, reuse, and circular economy initiatives.
The expert shall ensure timely delivery of projects while maintaining technical quality, stakeholder engagement, and compliance with national standards and client requirements.
4. Scope of Work
The expert will be responsible for the following:
A. Project Planning and Management
• Lead and manage multiple used water management and sanitation projects from planning through implementation, ensuring timely delivery of project milestones, effective resource utilization, adherence to budgets, and compliance with contractual obligations and organizational quality standards.
• Develop project implementation plans, work schedules, monitoring frameworks, and risk management strategies while coordinating multidisciplinary teams to ensure smooth execution and achievement of project objectives.
• Regularly monitor project progress, review deliverables, organize internal and client review meetings, provide strategic guidance to project teams, and submit periodic technical and management reports to senior management and clients.
B. Technical Planning and Advisory
• Provide technical leadership for planning citywide used water management systems, wastewater treatment systems, faecal sludge and septage management (FSSM), decentralized wastewater management systems, and integrated urban water management solutions.
• Advise Central and State Government agencies, Urban Local Bodies, and development partners on appropriate sanitation technologies, planning approaches, infrastructure investments, and policy implementation in line with national guidelines and international best practices.
• Support development of technical frameworks, city sanitation strategies, feasibility studies, concept plans, and long-term infrastructure development plans that promote sustainable and resilient sanitation services.
C. Engineering Design, Hydraulic Modelling and DPR Preparation
• Lead and review the planning and engineering design of sewerage networks, pumping stations, rising mains, wastewater treatment plants (STPs), faecal sludge treatment plants (FSTPs), decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS), and nature-based treatment systems, ensuring technically sound, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions
• Lead the preparation and technical review of feasibility studies, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), engineering drawings, cost estimates, Bills of Quantities (BOQs), technical specifications, tender documents, bid evaluation reports, and other engineering documentation in accordance with CPHEEO guidelines and relevant standards.
D. Project Implementation Support
• Provide technical guidance throughout project implementation, including design validation, construction supervision support, contractor coordination, site inspections, commissioning, troubleshooting, and performance monitoring of wastewater infrastructure
• Review construction progress, resolve technical challenges, recommend design modifications where necessary, and ensure that all works are implemented in accordance with approved designs, technical specifications, and quality standards
• Coordinate with implementation agencies, contractors, consultants, and project stakeholders to facilitate timely execution, address field-level issues, and ensure successful project completion.
E. Government Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement
• Act as the primary technical interface with Central and State Government departments, Urban Local Bodies, utilities, regulatory authorities, development partners, and other key stakeholders for planning, implementation, and review of sanitation and used water management projects.
• Participate in technical review meetings, stakeholder consultations, project steering committee meetings, and field missions, providing technical presentations, recommendations, and implementation updates to support informed decision-making.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with government officials and partner organizations to facilitate project approvals, inter-agency coordination, policy alignment, and successful implementation of project activities.
F. Wastewater Reuse and Circular Economy
• Provide technical leadership in integrating wastewater reuse, resource recovery, and circular economy principles into project planning, design, and implementation to maximize environmental, economic, and social benefits.
• Develop strategies for the beneficial reuse of treated wastewater in agriculture, landscaping, industrial applications, groundwater recharge, and other non-potable uses while promoting energy recovery, nutrient recovery, biosolids management, and carbon reduction initiatives.
• Identify innovative technologies, financing opportunities, and business models that support sustainable wastewater management and contribute to climate-resilient urban development.
G. Team Leadership and Capacity Building
• Lead, mentor, and supervise multidisciplinary technical teams by assigning responsibilities, reviewing technical outputs, ensuring quality assurance, and fostering collaboration across projects
• Build the technical capacity of project staff, government officials, and partner organizations through structured training programmes, workshops, technical guidance documents, and on-the-job mentoring
• Promote knowledge management by documenting best practices, lessons learned, technical innovations, and standard operating procedures to strengthen organizational capabilities and improve project delivery.
H. Monitoring, Reporting and Quality Assurance
• Establish effective project monitoring and quality assurance systems to track project progress, monitor key performance indicators, assess implementation risks, and ensure compliance with contractual and technical requirements.
• Prepare and review high-quality technical reports, progress reports, presentations, mission reports, project dashboards, meeting minutes, and management updates for clients, funding agencies, and organizational leadership.
• Ensure continuous improvement through systematic review of project deliverables, documentation of lessons learned, incorporation of client feedback, and implementation of corrective actions to achieve successful project outcomes.
5. 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
6. Qualification and Experience Criteria
• Minimum: B.E in Civil Engineering with master’s degree (M. Tech) in Environmental Engineering
• Good written and verbal communication with ability to prepare high quality technical reports and other similar documents.
• Sound understanding of National programmes and policies related to sanitation and used water management including AMRUT, SBM, JJM and relevant CPHEEO manuals and environmental regulations.
7. Professional Experience:
• Minimum of 12+ years of progressive experience in the water, wastewater, and urban infrastructure sector.
• Proven track record working with consulting firms, government undertakings, or reputable sector-specific NGOs/institutes.
• Experience in planning wastewater reuse, resource recovery, circular economy approaches, nature-based solutions, or climate-resilient sanitation projects will be considered an added advantage.
8. Key Technical Skills:
• Working experience in software tools like Sewer GEMS, Water GEMS, AutoCAD, Civil 3D etc
• High proficiency in ArcGIS or QGIS
• Strong analytical capabilities, multi-disciplinary teamwork mindset, and excellent technical presentation skills to confidently interface with technical committees and senior stakeholders.
9. How to Apply?
Please submit your updated curriculum vitae in the form link provided below
https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/x/Q8Z4YbAC
For any Queries, please contact karthik@washinstitute.org.
The last date to submit your application is July 30, 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.