Consultant for Water Savings Approach Development

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established to address humanitarian crises and promote sustainable development, Mercy Corps operates in over 40 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on empowering communities to overcome adversity and build resilience through innovative solutions. With a diverse workforce, Mercy Corps is committed to addressing urgent global priorities, such as water security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, which is increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution, and unsustainable practices. The organization aims to create impactful partnerships and leverage its expertise to foster community well-being and environmental sustainability.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in developing Mercy Corps' Water Savings Approach, which aims to establish a consistent and credible system for estimating, monitoring, and reporting volumetric water savings across various programs and geographies. This position requires the consultant to draw on both external evidence and internal expertise to create a robust framework, methodology, and tools that will guide water-saving initiatives. The consultant will be responsible for ensuring that the approach is technically rigorous, practical for field use, and scalable, ultimately supporting the organization's mission to enhance water security in fragile and water-stressed contexts. The consultant will also facilitate collaboration among internal teams to validate and refine the framework, ensuring alignment with scientific standards and operational realities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's primary duties will include developing the Mercy Corps Water Savings Framework, which will define the conceptual and technical foundation for water savings across the organization. This involves establishing standardized terminology, definitions, units of measurement, and minimum evidence requirements to ensure consistency across projects. The consultant will also co-design project selection criteria and decision tools to prioritize interventions likely to yield significant water savings. Additionally, the consultant will create a comprehensive methodology for quantifying, verifying, and monitoring water savings, including guidelines for project design, implementation, and post-project impact assessment. The consultant will consolidate all outputs into a final Water Savings Approach document and support internal capacity building through training workshops.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in hydrology, water resources, environmental engineering, or a related field. A minimum of 10 to 15 years of professional experience in water accounting, hydrological analyses, and environmental modeling is required. The ideal candidate will have experience working across multiple geographies and sectors in water management, demonstrating strong analytical and systems-thinking skills. Familiarity with corporate water stewardship standards is desirable, along with excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced degree, specifically a Master’s or PhD, in fields related to hydrology, water resources, environmental engineering, or similar disciplines. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of water management and the technical aspects of the Water Savings Approach.

Experience:
The consultant should have at least 10 to 15 years of relevant professional experience in areas such as water accounting, hydrological and hydraulic analyses, and environmental modeling. Experience in agricultural and urban water systems, watershed management, and working in diverse geographical contexts is crucial for the successful execution of the consultancy.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for effective communication and documentation. Additional language skills may be beneficial, particularly in regions where Mercy Corps operates, to facilitate collaboration with local stakeholders and teams.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last approximately three months, starting in April 2026 and concluding on June 30, 202

• The consultant will report to the Global Senior Water advisor" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security Advisor and will work closely with various teams within Mercy Corps. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to submit a technical proposal, workplan, financial proposal, and CV highlighting relevant qualifications. The organization is committed to equal employment opportunities and maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment.