With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.
Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!
Key Responsibilities:
Purpose of Position
Recruiting a Water Quality Microbiologist is essential to enhance the RWQL’s capacity to meet rising demands for microbial water testing, ensure compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, and support public health surveillance. The role will improve turnaround time, reduce workload on current staff, and strengthen data quality for WASH programmes and research. A dedicated microbiologist will also contribute to risk mitigation, capacity building, and effective response to faecal contamination threats in drinking water, especially in schools, clinics, and rural communities. This position is critical for sustaining accreditation and delivering accurate, timely results for safe water access.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain validation in all protocols for various controls and activities.
- Perform microbiological examinations of water samples, through observation, identification, and classification of microorganisms.
- Interpret data and present findings to supervisor. Maintain accurate data, records, and reports and submit regularly.
- Prepare standards from concentrates, solutions, culture media, and QC samples; ensure sterility of apparatus and supplies.
- Maintain and operate laboratory equipment for routine and special water analyses.
- Carry out environmental audits of the laboratory.
- Operate and maintain lab equipment: incubators, hoods, autoclaves, microscopes, meters, titrators, balances.
- Maintain accurate records and perform tests on all lab activities.
- Conduct performance evaluations to maintain certification with regulatory agencies.
- Comply with WV Health, Safety, and Environment Management System requirements.
- Take reasonable care of your health and safety and that of others.
- Perform field assignments relevant to WV WASH goals.
- Follow and maintain WV’s Quality System requirements.
Required Professional Experience
- Minimum of five (5) years working experience in the WASH sector, with a solid understanding of industry standards and emerging trends.
- At least two (2) years of hands-on experience in water microbiology.
- Practical experience in the microbiological analysis of water, including membrane filtration and/or cultivation techniques.
- Experience with the Most Probable Number (MPN) method for microbial enumeration.
- Demonstrated experience in water quality monitoring and assessment.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Biology (Microbiology or Applied Biology), Biochemistry, or Public Health.
- Formal training in ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (Laboratory Quality Management Systems) and ISO 9001:2015 Fluent in the English Language.
- The preferred candidate must be a committed Christian, able to uphold and model the core values of the organization.
- Strong awareness of pathogenic microorganisms, including coliform bacteria and waterborne pathogens.
- Knowledge of project development processes, particularly in WASH or environmental health sectors.
- Introductory knowledge of Geology, especially in relation to water sources and hydrogeological contexts.
Travel and/or Work Environment Requirement
- Office based with frequent travel to the field
- Travel: 20% Domestic/international travel is required.
- On call: 25%
Applicant Types Accepted: Local Applicants Only
