National Researcher - Water Quality and Food Systems

About the Job

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center is looking for an ambitious professional to join our team in Egypt as a National Researcher – Water Quality and Food Systems.

The National Researcher will contribute to the follow-up of the ReWaterMENA project under the MENA Water Scarcity Initiative, for which FAO hosts the secretariat. The researcher may also support other projects in the future.

The National Researcher will be responsible for conducting water quality monitoring in food, land, and water systems, including irrigation water at selected sites. This includes assessing agronomic and food safety risks and identifying cost-effective solutions to mitigate these risks. The researcher will also analyse farmers’ knowledge of irrigation water quality and their awareness of associated risks in the selected sites, and promote behaviour change to support the adoption of safe practices.

The incumbent is expected to develop work plans, supervise consultants and interns, and work collaboratively as part of a project team. He or she will also contribute to stakeholder engagement (including with the media) and support training activities on water quality monitoring and health risk assessment.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead research on water quality monitoring in food, land, and water systems, including irrigation water at selected sites.
• Conduct research on agronomic and food safety risk assessments related to the use of marginal quality water in food systems, including irrigated agriculture.
• Assess farmers’ knowledge, practices, and attitudes regarding water quality used in food production, and promote behaviour change to support the adoption of safe practices.
• Contribute to IWMI’s research portfolio on wastewater, reuse, water quality, pollution control, and health risk assessment and mitigation—both within the country and the MENA region—and assist project leaders and research group leaders with project reporting.
• Lead and contribute to the writing of papers for peer-reviewed journals, scientific and technical reports, and communication outputs such as blogs and policy briefs.
• Ensure that project-specific deliverables and deadlines are met, working closely with peers, project leaders, supervisors, internal and external research teams, and partners to ensure timely delivery of research outputs.
• Initiate, develop, and strengthen collaboration with research partners, other CGIAR centers, uptake partners, the private sector, investors, and civil society.
• Represent IWMI at conferences, trainings, workshops, seminars, and other events related to the researcher’s field of work.
• Advice policymakers and translate research findings into knowledge products for non-scientific audiences.
• Manage small projects and components of larger projects, and supervise consultants and interns.
• Lead or contribute to proposal development in the researcher’s field of expertise.

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Essential,

• PhD in Chemistry, Microbiology, Agronomy, Environmental Sciences, Public Health, or closely related discipline coupled with at least 3 years of relevant work experience or; Master's degree in Chemistry, Microbiology, Agronomy, Environmental Sciences, Public Health, or closely related discipline coupled with at least 08 years of relevant work experience.
• Hands-on experience in water quality monitoring, including the development and implementation of monitoring plans and conducting laboratory analyses.
• A solid track record of relevant scientific publications and experience working in the field of water quality.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Essential,

• Solid knowledge of water pollution sources and pathways, and the associated health, environmental, and agronomic risks of using polluted water.
• Ability to effectively set priorities and to plan, organize, implement, and monitor work activities with minimal supervision.
• Strong attention to detail, with experience in data collection, storage, and processing.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment, with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Excellent oral and written language skills in English, including effective listening and strong verbal and written communication abilities.

Benefits

This is a nationally recruited position and only Egyptian 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 two years with the possibility of extension.

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 April 30, 2025 (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.