Join us

Employment Opportunities

Trustee (voluntary role)

Groundwater Relief’s vision is for a world where groundwater resources are developed and managed sustainably and fairly for the benefit of all.

With 99% of the available fresh water on the planet being groundwater, this precious resource plays a critical role in securing safe water supplies for communities across the world.

Groundwater Relief, through a global membership of over 500 groundwater experts, provides technical support to the humanitarian and development sector. We find the right people to support organisations, large and small, who are developing and managing groundwater resources for marginalised and vulnerable communities.

Would you like to be part of this team?

Groundwater Relief is looking for Trustees to broaden the skills and experience of the existing Board. As a trustee you will play a key role in providing support, guidance and constructive challenges to the Board and CEO.

We hope that you will be able to join us as we continue our vision of alleviating poverty across the world.

Please download our Trustee Recruitment Pack to find out more about Groundwater Relief, the role and how to apply.

Head of Programmes (Groundwater Expert)

This role will be based in the United Kingdom and you must have an automatic right to work within the UK. Groundwater Relief will not sponsor visas.

Application Deadline: Monday 2nd September 2024 9am GMT+1

We are now recruiting for a critical role within the organisation. We are looking for an experienced person who will be able to take on overall responsibility for the technical work that GWR undertakes, leading our project work and managing our technical team.

The Role

The Head of Programmes will be responsible for, but not limited to;

  • Leading GWR’s technical staff, and working with GWR’s global membership of experts, to deliver high quality groundwater services to the humanitarian and development sectors.
  • Managing junior technical staff, providing them oversight, mentoring and support as they work to achieve GWR’s project goals.
  • Providing direct technical and strategic support to International and National Non-Government Organisations (INGOs/NGOs), UN agencies and Government Agencies engaged in water supply.
  • Representing GWR on international projects; it is estimated that during a calendar year you may be travelling for up to 2 to 3 months on assignments that may last between 1 to 3 weeks.
  • For in-country projects you will provide technical oversight, with responsibilities that may include undertaking water resources assessments, managing drilling programmes, establishing monitoring networks, rehabilitation works, developing operations and maintenance programmes, and building the capacity of partner organisations and/or water authorities.
  • Working with GWR’s CEO, fundraising officer and partners to develop proposals and funding applications that are relevant to GWR’s goals and strategy.
  • Producing, and overseeing the production of high quality reports, presenting findings clearly and keeping recommendations practical and direct for the humanitarian sector.
  • Support innovation that will help GWR to meet its objectives as a charity.
  • Promoting GWR’s services within the humanitarian and development sectors, including presenting at conferences, presenting in coordination meetings, to donors and government departments.

      Essential Experience

    • Relevant degree with an MSc or equivalent qualification in Hydrogeology or similar.
    • Extensive experience working in the field of water supply, including water well construction.
    • Experience working on international groundwater projects.
    • Experience in managing teams to deliver a portfolio of projects and delivering effective and timely outputs under pressure.
    • Experience in writing technical proposals, developing detailed budgets, and workplans.
    • Highly competent in managing technical projects, writing technical reports and specifications.
    • Supervisory and leadership experience in providing support, motivating and setting objectives for junior technical staff.
    • Demonstrable ability to engage with a range of different stakeholders, ideally within the humanitarian and development sector, and deliver complex ideas to non-technical personnel.
    • Experience in driving growth within an organisation, whilst actively improving practice, processes and outcomes across all aspects of the organisation.

        Your Profile

        We are looking for an individual with passion and desire to improve the way groundwater is developed, and managed, for the benefit of people across the globe. You will be ambitious for GWR’s service provision to grow and develop, to increase our impact and effectiveness to meet some of the world’s water resource challenges.

        You will enjoy leading teams, mentoring and providing technical support to junior staff. You will understand the importance of and enjoy working towards building a happy and effective working environment within GWR.

        You will be comfortable managing GWR’s project portfolio, managing project budgets and utilising available resources to deliver projects in a timely manner. You will take a pride in delivering competent pragmatic solutions and communicating these in a straightforward, way.

        You will be willing and able to travel internationally up to 20% of the year. You will be happy to work in demanding environments and in difficult circumstances with basic living conditions. You enjoy meeting and communicating with different types of stakeholders from all walks of life.

        You must have fluency in English and be able to work in the UK.

        Benefits

      • Competitive Salary ranging between £36,000 and £40,000 per annum, depending on experience.
      • Pension scheme (4.5% by employer, and 4% contribution by employee).
      • 25 days Annual Leave per annum, not including bank holidays (pro rata).
      • An additional day of annual leave for every 7 days working in-country.
      • Opt-in Private Health Care insurance (available from October 2024).

        Location and Hours of Work

        It is hoped that the role will commence as soon as possible after acceptance.

        The normal working location will be in our offices in Totnes, Devon, UK. We also have a flexible working policy, and arrangements can be discussed with the right candidate.

        Will consider a full time (37.5 hours a week) or 4 day (30 hour) per week role. Working in-country will require you to work full time.

        How to Apply

        Groundwater Relief will not sponsor visas. All applicants must have an automatic right to work within the United Kingdom. We will require evidence of your right to work at the assessment stage.

        Please send your application for the role of Head of Programmes to hr@groundwater-relief.org by 09:00 (GMT + 1) Monday 2nd September 2024.

        Your application should consist of a covering letter, which includes a personal statement detailing why you are suitable for this position (no longer than two pages), your CV, and the details of two referees. The referees will only be contacted if you are selected for the position.

        It is envisaged that interviews will be held w/c 16th September 2024.

        If you have any questions about the role, please contact hr@groundwater-relief.org.


        • Hydrogeologist

        This role will be based in the United Kingdom and you must have an automatic right to work within the UK. Groundwater Relief will not sponsor visas.

        THE ROLE

        Responsibilities will include:-

        • Being an active member of GWR’s technical staff, and working with GWR’s global membership of experts, to deliver high quality groundwater services to the humanitarian and development sectors.

        • Provide remote and in-country technical support to International and National Non-Government Organisations (INGOs/NGOs), UN agencies and Government Agencies engaged in water supply.

        • Lead and work as part of project teams to deliver high quality groundwater related support within humanitarian contexts.

        • Represent GWR on international projects; it is estimated that during a calendar year you may be travelling between 3 to 6 months on assignments that may last between 1 to 3 months.

        • For in-country projects you will provide field support that may involve undertaking water resources assessments, geophysical survey work, managing drilling programmes, establishing monitoring networks, rehabilitation works, developing operations and maintenance programmes, and building the capacity of partner organisations and/or water authorities.

        • Work with the Head of Programmes to develop proposals and funding applications.

        • Draft high quality, technical reports, presenting findings clearly and keeping recommendations practical and direct for the humanitarian sector.

        • Work with GWR’s members both remotely and on project, engaging their expertise and supporting them with engaging with humanitarian partners.

        • Promoting GWR’s services within the humanitarian and development sectors, including presenting at conferences, presenting in coordination meetings, to donors and government departments.

        ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

        • Relevant degree with an MSc or equivalent qualification in Hydrogeology or similar.

        • Experience working in the field of water supply, including water well construction.

        • Experience working in the humanitarian sector on groundwater projects.

        • Expertise or a good working knowledge of: water resource management, aquifer development, drilling supervision, pumping tests, water supply, water chemistry, groundwater monitoring.

        • Experience managing project budgets and delivering effective and timely outputs under pressure.

        • Experience working with and engaging with a range of different stakeholders, ideally within the humanitarian and development sector.

        • Demonstrable competency in writing high quality technical reports.

        • Demonstrable experience delivering complex ideas to non-technical personnel.

        YOUR PROFILE

        We are looking for an individual with passion and desire to improve the way groundwater is developed, and managed, for the benefit of people across the globe, who will be committed to the goals and ethos of Groundwater Relief and its growth within the humanitarian sector.

        We are looking for someone who can, and is willing to, travel internationally (up to 50% of the time) to work in demanding environments and in difficult circumstances. The candidate must have strong resilience and the ability to work under stress in remote areas with basic living conditions.

        You must be a creative and practical problem solver with a willingness to take on responsibility and make decisions whilst simultaneously engaging experts to advise and direct those decisions.

        You must have fluency in English and be able to work in the UK.

        BENEFITS

        • Competitive Salary ranging between £30,000 and £36,000 per annum, depending on experience.

        • Pension scheme (4.5% by employer, and 4% contribution by employee)

        • 25 days Annual Leave per annum, not including bank holidays (pro rata)

        • An additional day of annual leave for every 7 days working in-country.

        • Opt-in Private Health Insurance (available from October 2024)

        LOCATION AND HOURS OF WORK

        • The role will commence between October and December 2024.

        • The normal working location will be in our offices in Totnes, Devon, UK. We also have a flexible working policy and arrangements can be discussed with the right candidate.

        • Will consider a full time (37.5 hours a week) or 4 day (30 hour) per week role. Working in-country will require you to work full time.

        HOW TO APPLY

        Groundwater Relief will not sponsor visas. All applicants must have an automatic right to work within the United Kingdom. We will require evidence of your right to work at the assessment stage.

        Please send your application for the role of Hydrogeologist to hr@groundwater-relief.org by 09:00 (GMT + 1) Monday 2nd September 2024.

        Your application should consist of a covering letter, which includes a personal statement detailing why you are suitable for this position with reference to the role and essential experience (no longer than 2 pages), your CV, and the details of two referees. The referees will only be contacted if you are selected for the position.

        It is envisaged that interviews will be held w/c 16th September 2024.

        If you have any questions about the role, please contact hr@groundwater-relief.org