About the job
The International Water Association (IWA) is looking to recruit a talented leader who will have a unique opportunity to drive critical progress in the sanitation revolution. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work with leading international experts and innovators to transform access to safe sanitation, reducing the sanitation gap that currently impacts nearly half the world’s population.
IWA and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) have launched a partnership which aims to identify and support innovative research and development (R&D) projects with the goal of reducing capital and operational costs associated with Reinvented Toilet (RT) technologies.
As Leader of the IWA – BMGF Next Generation Sanitation Systems (NGSS) Expert Panel, you will have the opportunity to facilitate positive disruption to the status quo, revolutionising how we manage water and sanitation in our homes. By facilitating the dialogue around innovative and cost-effective sanitation solutions, you will be supporting the critical development of sustainable, resilient systems that are adaptable to the needs of diverse communities and equipped to meet the challenges of climate change, rapid urbanisation and population growth.
We are looking for an expert to enhance acceptance of these new technologies, reducing costs and advancing the RT’s technological maturity. The goal is to make products market-ready within the next 2-3 years by working with commercial and technical partners, researchers, innovators and industry experts to provide strategic leadership, and foster collaboration.
IWA and BMGF PARTNERSHIP
IWA is committed to inclusivity and excellence, serving as a premier global network for water professionals dedicated to advancing the water sector. A critical objective of IWA’s strategic vision is to advance Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.2: “to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, and end open defecation by 2030, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.” To achieve this, IWA recognises the need for innovative and cost-effective sanitation solutions that can be widely adopted, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where access to safe sanitation remains a significant challenge.
In this context, the PARTNERSHIP aims to identify and support innovative R&D projects that have the potential to reduce the capital and operational costs associated with RT technologies. A central component of this initiative is a five-day workshop in Q2 2025 that will bring together key stakeholders to address financial and implementation challenges related to these technologies.
The primary goal of the workshop is to identify and support the teams whose work aligns with the BMGF’s cost reduction, improved functionality and component standardisation goals. This will facilitate the development of Next Generation Sanitation Systems (NGSS) for developed markets like North America and Europe, with a pathway for being cost-competitive and meeting regulatory standards in these markets by 2026. By addressing these cost barriers, the PARTNERSHIP aims to make RT technologies accessible and viable for broader use, thereby contributing to the achievement of SDG 6.2 and improving sanitation outcomes globally.
Expert Panel
The Expert Panel provides strategic support, guidance, and ensures the success of the PARTNERSHIP.
The Panel will oversee the evaluation and selection of R&D projects with strong commercialisation potential and immediate market applicability, ensuring alignment with the workshop’s objectives and maximising impact. The Panel’s primary functions will include:
- Accelerating Innovation to Market: Identify industry-driven solutions in pilot stage, emphasising the transition from R&D to practical, scalable applications in the WASH sector and beyond.
- Developing and refining the project evaluation framework: Establish a robust, adaptable framework to assess project submissions based on their potential for commercialisation, scalability, and alignment with strategic goals.
- Fostering strategic partnerships: Identify and engage potential development partners within the IWA membership, the wider WASH sector, and other sectors who will be interested in the Project submission.
- Prioritising Product Development and Manufacturing: Identifying projects that transition from limited R&D to product manufacturing, with an emphasis on design optimisation, cost reduction, improved functionality, and component standardisation for NGSS.
- Supporting Workshop Organisation and Evaluation: Support the organisation and delivery of the workshop and evaluate project submissions that align with the goals towards reducing cost and increasing robustness and scalability of NGSS solutions.
- Strategic Alignment and Long-term Impact: Advising on strategies to align projects with PARTNERSHIP goals and long-term cost reduction objectives.
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Potential risks and mitigation to the initiative as it progresses.
The Expert Panel is expected to be composed of up to five professionals with diverse expertise in water sanitation, engineering, product development, policy, and cost reduction strategies, who can contribute both scientific knowledge and practical experience. Ideally, the Expert Panel should have expertise in areas of solid/liquid separation like membrane, sludge processing, destruction of forever chemicals in waste streams, combustion and associated emission reduction, prototyping, scaling and commercialising engineering solutions.
Expert Panel Leader
The Expert Leader provides strategic leadership to the Expert Panel, ensuring collaboration, overseeing evaluations, and representing the panel’s efforts.
The Expert Leader will serve as the Chair of the Expert Panel and the primary facilitator of its activities. They will provide strategic leadership, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and ensure the alignment of the panel’s activities with the overarching goals of the PARTNERSHIP.
Roles and Responsibilities of Expert Panel Leader
Strategic Oversight
- Play a role in constituting the Expert Panel along with IWA
- Guide the Expert Panel in providing strategic directions for the PARTNERSHIP.
- Ensure alignment of selected projects with PARTNERSHIP’s goals, focusing on cost reduction and technological robustness of NGSS solutions.
- Recommend strategic adjustments.
- Identify and address potential risks and barriers to achieving project outcomes.
Evaluation and Selection of Projects
- Lead the development and refinement of evaluation criteria for project proposals.
- Oversee the review and evaluation of project submissions to ensure alignment with PARTNERSHIP’s priorities.
- Shortlist and recommend proposals for funding and maintaining a balanced portfolio.
- Ensure the integrity and rigour of project evaluations.
Engagement and Collaboration
- Steer the effort of the panel in enhancing engagement and collaboration with potential development partners in the wider WASH sector, and other interdisciplinary sectors.
- Contribute to the efforts of IWA in fostering collaboration among IWA members and beyond with Commercial Partners (CPs), Technical Partners (TPs), researchers, innovators, and industry experts.
- Promote and contribute to knowledge-sharing.
- Act as the primary representative of the Expert Panel.
Panel Coordination
- Chair all Expert Panel meetings, ensuring productive discussions and adherence to the agenda.
- Facilitate consensus among panel members, especially during project evaluations and strategic decisions.
- Facilitate and oversee the competitive selection process for recommendations to fund by BMGF.
- Coordinate with the IWA secretariat to ensure timely documentation and execution of panel activities.
Quality Assurance and Reporting
- Ensure the quality, relevance, and integrity of the panel’s outputs, including recommendations and reports.
- Provide regular updates to IWA leadership on the progress and challenges faced by the Expert Panel.
- Document and circulate meeting minutes and decisions, in collaboration with the IWA secretariat.
Conflict Management
- Mediate conflicts within the panel to foster constructive dialogue and resolutions.
- Uphold ethical standards and maintain impartiality in all decision-making processes.
Qualifications and Skills
- Extensive expertise in water sanitation, engineering, or related fields, with a strong understanding of sanitation technologies. Experience in/with component manufacturing (membranes/biomass gasification/pumps) firms is preferable.
- Extensive experience in driving the successful commercialisation of innovations, particularly within technology-driven markets. A global track record across multiple sectors is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated experience leading and engaging with multidisciplinary expert groups. Experience in collaborating with sectors other than the WASH sector is preferable.
- Proven facilitation and consensus-building skills in diverse, interdisciplinary settings.
- Strategic thinking and the ability to align technical recommendations and broader goals of the programme.
- Strong communication and organisational skills, with experience in stakeholder engagement and advocacy.
Term
The Expert Panel Leader’s term is anticipated to last 24 months.
The Expert Panel Leader is expected to dedicate 30-50 days per year, including participation in meetings and stakeholder engagement.
Reporting and Accountability
The Expert Panel Leader will report directly to the PARTNERSHIP Project Manager and will also work closely with the IWA Secretariat to align activities with the PARTNERSHIP’s objectives.
Confidentiality
The Expert Panel members (including the Leader) will adhere to confidentiality agreements to protect proprietary information and sensitive data related to the projects, PARTNERSHIP, and the involved organisations.
Application
Closing Date for Applications: 24/01/2025
Applicants are asked to submit their CV in English and a supporting letter of motivation.
