Job Description

About Water For People

Water For People India is an international non-profit organization which supports people of developing countries to improve their quality of life by promoting locally sustainable drinking water sources, sanitation facilities and health and hygiene programs. We believe that access to safe water and adequate sanitation are basic human rights and can help put an end to needless suffering and mortality from water-related preventable diseases.

Water for People India initiated its operations in West Bengal in 1996 in Nadia and North 24 Parganas districts. Consistent with the global vision and mission, we exist to promote the development of high-quality drinking water and sanitation services, accessible to all, and sustained by strong communities, businesses, and governments. Our organizational values are: Amplify all voices, Integrity, courage, Environmental Stewardship and Collective Transformation. Water for People India programs have been implemented in 18 districts in the states of Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal.

We aim to build capacities at the district level which will contribute to organizational commitments, thereby indirectly benefiting 14.8 million people. Water for People India implements programs through locally registered non-government organizations.

Workplace Values

●        Environmental Stewardship- We are committed to being responsible stewards of the environment. We fight growing environmental inequities and are intentional in our partnerships and decision-making around environmental practices. We believe climate action and protection of water resources is essential for the long-term health of the planet for future generations.​

●        Integrity- We act honestly and transparently to inspire trust. Our commitment to our values is unwavering in how we relate to each other (we walk the talk) and in how we do our work and what it costs. We construct and support systems that create a fair and decent world and we do what is right in the most efficient and accountable manner.

●        Collective Transformation- We believe in the power of collective action. To proactively challenge the status quo, we share our strengths and learnings with partners and embrace new ideas. We believe collaboration leads to richer ideas and more robust solutions.​

●        Courage- We encourage brave exploration of new ideas and informed risk-taking. We believe being intentional and stepping into the unknown is the cornerstone of innovation. We foster a culture of creative problem-solving and open communication to proactively discuss hard topics for continuous evolution

●        Amplify All Voices- By putting people first, celebrating diversity, and pursuing justice, we prioritize our shared humanity. We support the meaningful participation and autonomy of individuals from all backgrounds. We amplify local voices while investing in the well-being, skills, and opportunities of all.

The Senior Technical Lead will provide end-to-end technical leadership for a research-driven off-grid sanitation pilot in Mumbai. This role will ensure the scientific and engineering rigor of the system across all phases—from design validation, construction, and commissioning to operational performance and evaluation. Working in close collaboration with other engineers, researchers, and field teams, the Lead will oversee testing protocols, validate performance metrics, and generate technical evidence that informs adaptive improvements. Beyond system functionality, the role will contribute to the project’s research objectives by documenting findings, analyzing data, and supporting knowledge dissemination to demonstrate the solution’s efficacy, sustainability, and scalability in dense urban slum contexts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Planning & Technical Oversight

·        Provide overarching technical guidance throughout the 11-month pilot, ensuring that all architectural drawings, structural certifications, and system designs are reviewed not only for compliance but also for their research value in documenting design-performance linkages.

·        Coordinate civil works and supervise technical staff, ensuring construction quality aligns with both project specifications and regulatory standards, while capturing process learnings for research dissemination.

·        Oversee system installation, commissioning, and dry-run testing, working closely with engineers on-site to validate performance metrics, document operational challenges, and support structured handover and knowledge transfer to the research team.

·        Develop and implement preventive maintenance schedules and SOPs for operations, cleaning, and emergency response, embedding monitoring protocols that generate actionable evidence on system reliability, sustainability, and replicability.

System Performance & Quality Assurance

·        Validate system performance through regular monitoring of key metrics such as uptime (target: ≥80%), waste treatment volume, ash production, water savings, and emissions.

·        Conduct or coordinate accredited laboratory testing for ash, emissions, and environmental safety to ensure compliance with health standards.

·        Troubleshoot complex technical issues, including solid-liquid separation, treatment processes, and sensor integration, with remote technical support as needed.

·        Ensure safety and security protocols for the on-site treatment system, including secured areas and adaptability to 100 users/day capacity.

·        Monitor environmental impacts and climate resilience features of the system, recommending adjustments for real-world urban conditions

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

·        Contribute technical inputs to M&E tools, including sensor data logs, usage tracking, survey designs, and data analysis for system functionality and user experience.

·        Support midline and endline reviews, analyzing technical KPIs and contributing to reports on lessons learned and value engineering strategies.

·        Assist in exit strategy by advising on sustainable maintenance models and potential reconfiguration to conventional technologies if performance falls short

Stakeholder & Team Management

·        Train and mentor on-ground staff (e.g., Junior Technical Person, technician, cleaner) on technical aspects of O&M, using provided technical manuals.

·        Liaise with the Team to integrate technical feedback into community engagement and reporting.

·        Handle any ad-hoc technical challenges, such as adapting to site-specific constraints or integrating with local infrastructure (e.g., water/electrical connections).

Prerequisites for the position

Below are the key qualifications and standards that could be considered:

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related technical field.

Experience:

·        Minimum 2–4 years of experience in sanitation technology, FSM, or off-grid systems, with hands-on expertise in urban projects.

·        Hands-on practical experience with assembling and troubleshooting mechanical and electrical systems.

·        Experience in coordinating with technology providers, contractors, and laboratories.

Skills & Competencies:

·        Strong knowledge of decentralized sanitation solutions, sensors, waste treatment, and emissions testing.

·        Proficiency in technical software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, e-Drawings or similar 3D CAD model viewing software, data logging tools) and Microsoft Office.

·        Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills, with fluency in English, Hindi, and Marathi.

·        Ability to work in field settings, including high-density slums, with a focus on safety and innovation.

·        Commitment to equity, inclusion, and sustainable WASH practices.

Email ID for CV Submission: hr-india@waterforpeople.org with subject line “Senior Technical lead- Mumbai” with a cc to Kashmira Nagar

How to Apply:

Please apply on email ID mentioned, very briefly mention your current salary and WASH Related experience (in yrs) before 6th September 2025, while mentioning title of the position in subject line.

Water For People India is a certified, Great Place to Work organization and is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.

Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with strict confidence.

Water For People has ZERO Tolerance on sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment including sexual harassment and gender / racial discrimination. Any selection therefore will be subject to satisfactory reference and background check.