Position: Technical Advisor
FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) Classification: Salary/Exempt
Position Type: Full-Time Employee, Remote
Reports To: Sr. Director of Regional Programs & Technical Services
Work Hours: Monday– Friday, 40 hours/week, additional hours as required
ABOUT GLOBAL WATER CENTER
Global Water Center “GWC” believes everyone deserves access to safely managed water. We provide education, innovation, and collaboration to equip leaders to solve the global water crisis together. As the go-to resource for the rural water sector, our safe water resources have reached people in 131 countries. In addition to education, we also use innovative technology to make water projects more effective and reliable.
GWC mobilizes internal and external experts to aid in capacity development and the assessment, design, implementation, and monitoring of projects that serve water sector organizations in low- and middle-income countries.
Global Water Center’s work environment is fast-paced, dynamic, and highly collaborative. Candidates should be comfortable working in an early-stage environment, balancing the need for flexibility, structure, and procedure.
WHAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY?
The Technical Advisor is a full-time position reporting to the Sr. Director of Regional Programs & Technical Services of GWC.
The position will serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on the technical services team, supporting the GWC’s mandate to provide engineering design, technical review of documents, in-person and virtual training, installation and operation of monitoring equipment, third-party project inspections, and various means of proactive communication with partner organizations. The position will ensure the application of sound engineering principles, excellent analytical skills, and quality written and verbal communication to a variety of water organizations worldwide.
The Technical Advisor’s focus will be providing capacity development and technical assistance to rural water projects, including solar powered water systems (SPWS). The role will include delivering in-person and virtual training and consulting support, conducting third party assessments and design reviews, and advising clients on water sensors and digital monitoring, The ideal candidate will be a versatile engineer with a background in training and consulting, and practical experience in water projects and SPWS in the Global South. They will also be a gifted teacher with experience in supporting delivery of online and in-person courses and leading participatory, hands-on training in a cross-cultural context.
The position requires frequent international travel (up to 40%, with most trips lasting 1–2 weeks). The work environment at GWC is dynamic, fast-paced, and collaborative, with a strong focus on teamwork and impact.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Core Responsibilities
- Build and maintain strong relationships with governments, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to enhance enabling environments and achieve program objectives
- Work with GWC senior leadership to design and implement strategies to strengthen regional programs including tailored adjustments to meet relevant local contexts, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and standards.
- Collect and manage technical resources that may be helpful in advancing GWC’s mission and educational offerings.
- Foster a community of continuous learning among the Regional Programs and Technical Services Division.
- Track program performance, prepare reports, and ensure the timely delivery of results for stakeholders and funders.
Capacity Development through Technical Training and Services
- Serve as a trainer for the design and ongoing maintenance of water systems as well as for vocational training programs, delivering high-quality in-person training sessions to partners and stakeholders, and supporting online training delivery.
- Mentor and develop GWC staff and consultants to deliver technical training effectively and consistently. Identify consultants to support in-person and online training, ensuring it is performed to GWC standards.
- Act as an in-house expert on water systems, offering technical services, including engineering design reviews, site visits or evaluations, and feedback for water infrastructure projects for partner organizations and governments.
- Develop, analyze, and review engineering designs and documentation for water projects as needed.
- Implement and uphold QA/QC processes to ensure consistency and excellence in training and technical support services.
General Responsibilities
- Work within cross-cultural environments with humility with an intentional focus on overcoming stereotypes and language barriers.
- Work simultaneously on multiple projects and ensure work is done with excellence within an agreed upon scope, schedule, and budget.
- Maintain good communications with multiple partner organizations and team members across multiple countries and time zones.
- Look for strategic opportunities to grow, fund, and develop income streams for regional programs and technical training and services.
- Represent the Global Water Center’s brand to external audiences including potential funders, partners, subject matter experts, training partners, and training customers.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline;
- Master’s degree in engineering or other related technical field; completion of a research-based thesis preferred.
- 5–10 years of program design and management experience working in low to middle-income countries.
- 4+ years of engineering experience working in low to middle-income countries and/or a professional engineering certification.
- 2+ years of engineering experience with solar powered water systems preferred.
- Demonstration of being a quick learner.
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
- Knowledgeable skills with MS Office computer programs, engineering programs such as EPANET, Microsoft Project, AutoCAD, etc., and project management software, such as Smartsheet.
- High attention to detail.
- Excellent analytical skills.
- Ability and willingness to travel internationally.
- Fluent written and spoken English required.
- Fluent written and spoken French or Spanish is preferred.
WHY JOIN US
- Make a tangible impact on the lives of 2.2 billion living without access to safely managed water.
- Collaborate with a passionate and competent team of professionals.
- Opportunity to shape and influence our company’s core strategy and future direction.
- Competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and PTO (Paid Time Off).
Apply online at https://globalwatercenter.bamboohr.com/careers/44
