Job Vacancy Okara Position National Researcher – Irrigation Water Management at International Water Management Institute

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center is seeking an innovative & dynamic researcher to join its office in Okara, Pakistan, as a National Researcher – Hydrologist.

The National Researcher – Irrigation Water Management will be responsible for conducting irrigation water management activities, including water balance measurements at both the farm and irrigation system scale in the irrigated Indus Basin of Pakistan. The ideal candidate should possess advanced knowledge in monitoring hydrological parameters using state-of-the-art instrumentation for measuring different hydrological parameters such as actual evapotranspiration, soil moisture, and discharge in water resources and irrigation, along with modeling studies under the FCDO’s Water Resources Accountability in Pakistan (WRAP) programme.

The Researcher will participate in various research activities, including literature reviews, field data collection, analytical work, high-level policy analysis, and coordination with stakeholders and project partners in the water and climate sectors. The Researcher will also be responsible for managing the field office in Okara and organizing project-related events, workshops, training sessions, and fieldwork that involve various stakeholders. Additionally, the Researcher will contribute to writing donor reports and research publications.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct relevant research and provide expertise in irrigation and agricultural water management to national programs aimed at improving water use efficiency and productivity of irrigated agriculture in Punjab.
• Lead research activities in the field, including primary data collection, field surveys, and using scientific equipment to measure various physical parameters as instructed by the Team Leader.
• Lead the implementation and delivery of the annual activity plans for different project components under the supervision of the Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader.
• Lead & conduct primary and secondary data collection in the field, including social and biophysical data, as required by the Team Leader.
• Contribute to proposal writing, securing grant funding, and enhancing project outputs through value-for-money contributions.
• Assist in setting up and installing state-of-the-art water management instruments to gather information on various hydrological variables in the study area.
• Perform irrigation operations alongside team members, including flow measurement, groundwater monitoring, irrigation crop water use, and instrumentation in Okara and Chakwal districts.
• Ensure the implementation of resilient irrigation water management practices suited to the specific conditions of the project sites and communities.
• Plan, conceive, contribute to, and lead various project activities, which may include developing hydrological models for water/river basins and irrigation systems across spatial scales under changing climate scenarios, and matching water management interventions to biophysical and social conditions.
• Build institutional networks that promote IWMI’s position as a center of expertise on significant policy issues. Identify water management program synergies with collaborating partners and establish collaborative engagement frameworks in the water and climate sector.
• Communicate project outcomes with the wider research & development community and support the preparation of project-specific communication materials.
• Contribute to building positive relationships with government, civil society, and other stakeholders.
• Provide support in organizing meetings, dialogues, and workshops for the project.
• Assist in preparing high-quality project reports in accordance with project timelines.
• Perform other related duties as required by the Team Leader.

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Essential:

• PhD in agricultural engineering, civil engineering, water resources engineering, or closely related discipline coupled with at least 3 years of relevant work experience OR; Master’s degree in hydrology , water management, , or closely related discipline coupled with at least 08 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in providing irrigation and water management expertise, along with the use of scientific instruments to measure hydrological variables, to support the development of project dissemination materials.
• Experience in conducting field research activities at both farm and irrigation system scales.
• A strong record of peer-reviewed publications on relevant subjects in reputable international journals.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing approaches for the development of hydrological and hydraulic models in data-scarce environments.

Desirable:

• Prior experience working with leading international development organizations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Essential:

• Expertise in interpreting and analyzing complex long-term spatio-temporal data for presentation to both industry and the scientific community.
• Ability to use climatic and remote sensing datasets, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools, and hydrological modeling approaches for multi-scale assessments.
• Proven knowledge of surface-groundwater hydrological modeling tools and flood/drought forecasting methodologies, including the setup, calibration, and running of hydrological models using historical data, forecasts, and projections.
• Demonstrated original thinking, creativity, and innovation in applying these skills to their disciplines.
• Capability to analyze, manipulate, and present data and model results effectively.
• Willingness to travel and stay in rural areas for extended periods.
• Strong management and leadership skills, with a good understanding of cross-cultural issues, focusing on balancing strategic guidance with team empowerment.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, with the ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work both independently and collaboratively with team members.

Benefits

This is a nationally recruited position and only Pakistani nationals will be considered. IWMI offers a competitive salary and benefits package, inclusive of health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years with the possibility of extension.

IWMI strongly values diversity; therefore, qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on October 24, 2024 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.