ABOUT GROUNDWATER RELIEF

Groundwater Relief (https://groundwater-relief.org/) is a UK registered charity (No. 1167458) that provides technical expertise and services to organisations and government agencies responsible for developing and managing groundwater resources mainly across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Groundwater Relief’s work is facilitated by a team of international groundwater professionals, comprising over 550 registered technical members. Their collective support has enabled Groundwater Relief to undertake over 130 projects in 27 different countries in the past 8 years.

Groundwater Relief has a small team of core staff who manage the technical membership, manage projects, and support the growth and development of the charity.

We are currently looking to recruit a Hydrogeologist and Project Manager to join our core staff at Groundwater Relief to help us in achieving our mission.

THE ROLE

You will report directly to GWR’s Technical Team Lead.

Hydrogeological responsibilities include:-

Working with the Technical Team Lead, GWR’s technical team and with GWR’s global membership of experts, to deliver high quality groundwater services to the humanitarian and development sectors.
Provide remote and in-country technical support to International and National Non-Government Organisations (INGOs/NGOs), UN agencies and Government Agencies engaged in water supply.
Travel to project areas; it is estimated that during a calendar year you may be travelling between 3 to 6 months on assignments that may last between 1 to 3 months.
For in-country projects you will provide field support that may involve undertaking water resource assessments, geophysical survey work, managing drilling programmes, establishing monitoring networks, rehabilitation works, developing operations and maintenance programmes, and building the capacity of partner organisations and/or water authorities.
Work with the Technical Team Lead, Grants and Fundraising Manager and CEO to develop proposals and funding applications.
Draft high quality, technical reports, which present findings clearly and keep recommendations practical and direct for the humanitarian sector.
Work with GWR’s members both remotely and on project, engaging their expertise and supporting them with engaging with humanitarian partners.
Promote GWR’s services within the humanitarian and development sectors, including presenting at conferences, presenting in coordination meetings, to donors and government departments.

Project Management responsibilities include:-

At project creation phase, support proposal design and/or identifying funding opportunities.
Through preparation and implementation, be responsible for project risk management, preventively and reactively following GWR internal procedures, with support from GWR colleagues.
Be responsible for project planning, inclusive of identifying the required resources (engaging members, subcontracting, supplies, equipment etc.) with support from other GWR staff in their mobilisation.
Lead internal and external project meetings.
Be responsible for timely project implementation, and manage project changes.
Manage the project budget including forecasting and tracking expenses and report these to the GWR Finance Manager.
Support project close out including obtaining feedback from GWR partners and members and building a case study of the project.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

Relevant degree with an MSc or equivalent qualification in Hydrogeology or similar.
Experience working in the field of water supply, including water well construction.
Experience working on groundwater projects.
Expertise, or a good working knowledge of; water resource management, aquifer development, drilling supervision, pumping tests, water supply, water chemistry, and groundwater monitoring.
Project management experience including experience in project planning, managing project budgets and delivering effective and timely outputs under pressure.
Experience working with and engaging with a range of different stakeholders, ideally within the humanitarian and development sector.
Demonstrable competency in writing high quality technical reports.
Demonstrable experience delivering complex ideas to non-technical personnel.

YOUR PROFILE

We are looking for an individual with passion and desire to improve the way groundwater is developed, and managed, for the benefit of people across the globe, who will be committed to the goals and ethos of Groundwater Relief and its growth within the humanitarian sector.

We are looking for someone who can, and is willing to, travel internationally (up to 50% of the time) to work in demanding environments and in difficult circumstances. The candidate must have strong resilience and the ability to work under stress in remote areas with basic living conditions.

You must be a creative and practical problem solver with a willingness to take on responsibility and make decisions whilst simultaneously engaging experts to advise and direct those decisions.

You must have a fluency in English. Other language skills such as French and Arabic will be looked on highly favourably.

BENEFITS

Salary between £32,000 and £36,000 per annum, depending on experience. Salary with effect from January 2026.
Pension scheme (4.5% by employer, and 4% contribution by employee)
25 days Annual Leave per annum, not including bank holidays (pro rata)
An additional day of annual leave for every 7 days working in-country.
Opt-in Private Health Insurance.

LOCATION AND HOURS OF WORK

The role will commence between February and April 2026.

The normal working location will be in our offices in Totnes, Devon, UK. We also have a flexible working policy and arrangements can be discussed with the right candidate.

Will consider a full time (37.5 hours a week) or 4 day (30 hour) per week role. Working in-country will require you to work full time.

HOW TO APPLY

Groundwater Relief will not sponsor visas. All applicants must have an automatic right to work within the United Kingdom. We will require evidence of your right to work at the assessment stage.

Please send your application for the role of Hydrogeologist to hr@groundwater-relief.org by 09:00 am GMT, Monday 5th January 2026.

Your application should consist of a covering letter, which includes a personal statement detailing why you are suitable for this position with reference to the role and essential experience (no longer than 2 pages), your CV, and the details of two referees. The referees will only be contacted if you are selected for the position.

It is envisaged that interviews will be held w/c 12th January 2026.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact hr@groundwater-relief.org.