The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center, is looking for a competent, self-motivated and dynamic professional to join its headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka as a Senior Researcher \u2013 Integrated Modeling and Assessment.

The incumbent will lead and manage cutting-edge applied research on integrated dynamic water resource and demand assessments within water-energy-food-environment nexus system thinking. The person will lead water data science research projects and provide guidance for colleagues, contributing to research oversight and quality control, supporting partnership development, and disseminating research results to bring impact on the ground. The position holder will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and will work with multi-disciplinary researchers and partners of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

Duties AND Responsibilities:

Lead high-quality and innovative applied water data science research and proposal development on key research areas such as agricultural demand; large scale, integrated water resources assessments; and future intersectoral water allocations. Contribute to a growing portfolio of digital innovation projects used for supporting the management of water and land resources through advances in AI, digital twins and Internet-of-Things; Provide water data science expertise in designing, testing, and evaluating contextually- relevant, innovative solutions in the field of climate change impacts on water and agriculture, renewable energy, environmental needs, and other sectoral use areas. Initiate, develop, and strengthen collaboration with research partners, governments and development partners, private sector, civil society, networks, and other CGIAR centers in Africa, Asia, MENA and potentially Latin America. Use research findings to engage and support policymakers, water and development professionals, investors, civil society organizations, private sector actors, researchers, and farmers. Ensure that project-specific deliverables and deadlines are met and are of a high quality; manage project budgets; and work closely with relevant internal stakeholders, research teams and partners to ensure timely delivery of outputs. Manage projects and mentor early career researchers at IWMI and its partner organizations on hydrology, water resources and the water-energy-food- environment nexus; and Carry out technical trainings and organize workshops and learning forums to transfer knowledge, technology and build the capacity of policymakers and other stakeholders, including local water users, organizations of right-holders, including women.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

MINIMUM:

Ph.D. in water resources or closely related discipline, with knowledge of other disciplines, particularly climate change, food and agricultural sciences and environmental sciences. At least ten years post-doc experience in water and climate modeling and assessment, or water accounting in a developing country context. Ability to establish and maintain partnership and working relationships with the governments, development agencies, civil society organization, private sector, research, and like-minded institutions. Familiarity with gender, inequality, and social inequity issues in developing countries in general, and the water and natural resource management sectors particularly and able to think and act on research interventions differently; and A good track record of relevant scientific publications, and experience working on applied research, policy and capacity development in the field of water resources at basin scale, climate-resilient water management, and resilient surface and groundwater irrigation for sustainable and inclusive jobs, livelihoods and economic prosperity preferably in Africa and South or Southeast Asia; Established experience of leading, managing and/or providing technical contributions to complex donor-funded research projects preferably in low-income countries. A good knowledge and experience of institutional arrangements for river basin management, and integrated water management in watersheds, sub-basins, or basin level in developing countries. Experience working with and leading interdisciplinary and multi-cultural research teams. Experience of leading concept note and proposal developments in water resources, and water, energy, food, and environment nexus using a hydrological and climate science lens. Excellent oral and written English language skills.

DESIRABLES:

Ability to work collegially and collaboratively with international and national researchers. Knowledge of scenario analysis, and other approaches and tools relevant for decision support within the geographic context. Knowledge of GIS and remote sensing techniques, and other spatial data software for hydrological modelling and assessments and good knowledge of computer programming languages; and Use of machine learning/ artificial intelligence within modelling frameworks Experience in leading/contributing to the design and operation of innovative decision support tools to examine socio-economic, water and environmental impacts, and opportunities for sustainable and equitable water allocation and uses at the different scales.

Benefits

What we are offering:

This is an internationally recruited position with a competitive salary, an attractive retirement plan, comprehensive international health insurance, life insurance accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. Regionally recruited staff who are employed at a duty station outside of their home base/country of nationality will also receive relocation assistance, a housing allowance, home-leave plane tickets for self and eligible dependents and education assistance for eligible dependents. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years.

HOW TO APPLY: Qualified applicants should submit a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) May 30, 2023. 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.


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