Hydrologist

Hydrologist – Water Resources & Climate Resilience

Position Overview

Samawada is seeking a technically capable, analytical, and mission-driven Hydrologist to support the organization's humanitarian water initiatives, water resources research, groundwater assessment, climate resilience programming, and evidence-based environmental decision-making.

The successful candidate will contribute scientific and technical expertise to understanding water availability, groundwater systems, surface water resources, drought conditions, hydrological patterns, and water-related environmental challenges affecting vulnerable communities.

The Hydrologist will support the collection, interpretation, analysis, and application of hydrological and environmental data to strengthen Samawada's humanitarian programs, particularly in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), water security, climate adaptation, drought resilience, and sustainable water resource management.

This role will work closely with International Programs & Partnerships, Research, Data & Analytics, GIS & Remote Sensing, Climate Resilience, WASH, and organizational leadership to translate hydrological research into practical humanitarian interventions.

The role will contribute to:

• Hydrological research and assessment
• Groundwater resource assessment
• Surface water analysis
• Water availability and accessibility studies
• Groundwater monitoring
• Water resource management
• Drought monitoring and assessment
• Water security research
• Climate resilience programming
• Hydrological modelling
• Rainfall and precipitation analysis
• Watershed and catchment analysis
• Flood risk assessment
• Water quality assessment
• Hydrogeological data interpretation
• GIS-based hydrological analysis
• Satellite-based water monitoring
• Environmental and climate data analysis
• WASH project development
• Water infrastructure assessment
• Humanitarian water needs assessment
• Technical reporting and documentation

This is an excellent opportunity to apply scientific and technical knowledge to real-world humanitarian challenges while developing professional experience in hydrology, groundwater research, climate resilience, GIS, remote sensing, environmental monitoring, water security, and international development.

What You Will Do

Hydrological Research & Assessment

• Conduct hydrological research to understand water availability, distribution, and accessibility in vulnerable communities.
• Research surface water and groundwater resources in areas affected by water scarcity.
• Analyze hydrological conditions and identify potential water resource challenges.
• Support assessments of rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, watersheds, and groundwater systems.
• Review existing hydrological studies, scientific publications, and environmental reports.
• Identify opportunities to improve water resource understanding through scientific research.
• Support the development of hydrological assessment methodologies.
• Interpret hydrological information to inform humanitarian programming.
• Identify areas requiring additional water resource investigations.
• Prepare technical summaries of hydrological findings.

Groundwater Research & Monitoring

• Support groundwater resource assessments in areas experiencing water scarcity.
• Analyze groundwater availability, recharge patterns, and seasonal variations.
• Research aquifers, groundwater systems, and subsurface water conditions.
• Support the interpretation of groundwater monitoring data.
• Examine potential relationships between rainfall, groundwater recharge, and water availability.
• Identify possible groundwater stress and depletion patterns.
• Support the assessment of groundwater sustainability.
• Analyze available groundwater depth and water table measurements.
• Research the relationship between land conditions, climate variability, and groundwater resources.
• Support the identification of potential locations for further groundwater investigation.
• Contribute technical recommendations for sustainable groundwater management.

Surface Water Assessment

• Assess surface water availability and distribution using available datasets.
• Analyze seasonal changes in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and other water bodies.
• Support the identification of surface water resources for humanitarian and community water planning.
• Examine changes in surface water availability during dry and wet seasons.
• Interpret satellite-derived surface water observations.
• Support the assessment of water availability for communities and agricultural activities.
• Identify potential surface water risks associated with droughts and flooding.
• Contribute to surface water monitoring and reporting activities.

Drought Monitoring & Water Scarcity Analysis

• Conduct research on drought conditions and their effects on water availability.
• Analyze precipitation, temperature, soil moisture, and other relevant environmental indicators.
• Support the identification of drought-prone and water-stressed areas.
• Examine historical drought patterns and seasonal variations.
• Interpret satellite-based environmental observations related to drought conditions.
• Analyze changes in vegetation, soil moisture, and surface water availability.
• Support the identification of communities potentially affected by water scarcity.
• Develop hydrological indicators that can support drought monitoring.
• Contribute to early identification of emerging water resource challenges.
• Prepare technical assessments to support humanitarian drought response and preparedness.

Water Resource Management

• Research sustainable approaches to water resource management.
• Support the assessment of community water resource needs.
• Examine the relationship between water availability, population needs, and environmental conditions.
• Support the identification of opportunities to improve water resource sustainability.
• Research community-based water management approaches.
• Contribute to water security planning and programming.
• Support the development of evidence-based recommendations for water resource management.
• Identify potential risks associated with unsustainable groundwater extraction.
• Contribute to research on integrated water resource management.
• Support the development of practical recommendations for humanitarian water interventions.

Water Quality Research & Assessment

• Support research and assessment of water quality where relevant data are available.
• Analyze available water quality measurements and laboratory results.
• Review indicators such as pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, salinity, and other relevant water quality parameters.
• Research potential sources of water contamination.
• Support the identification of environmental factors that may affect water quality.
• Interpret water quality datasets to identify potential risks.
• Work with WASH and public health specialists to understand water quality implications for communities.
• Support the preparation of technical water quality assessment reports.
• Recommend additional testing or field investigation where existing information is insufficient.

The Hydrologist's responsibilities in this area are focused on technical assessment and research. Laboratory testing, water safety certification, and public health determinations remain with appropriately qualified personnel and institutions.

Climate Change & Water Resources

• Research the relationship between climate variability and water resource availability.
• Examine the potential impacts of climate change on groundwater and surface water systems.
• Analyze historical rainfall and temperature patterns.
• Support assessments of changing precipitation patterns and seasonal water availability.
• Research climate-related risks affecting water security.
• Contribute to climate adaptation and resilience programming.
• Assess potential impacts of prolonged droughts and extreme rainfall events.
• Support research on climate-resilient water infrastructure.
• Identify opportunities to integrate hydrological evidence into climate adaptation projects.
• Contribute technical information to climate and environmental research initiatives.

Hydrological Modelling & Data Analysis

• Support the development and application of hydrological models where appropriate.
• Analyze rainfall-runoff relationships.
• Support watershed and catchment modelling.
• Examine groundwater recharge and water balance estimates.
• Interpret hydrological datasets and model outputs.
• Support the analysis of historical and projected hydrological conditions.
• Apply appropriate statistical and scientific methods to hydrological research.
• Identify data gaps and limitations affecting model reliability.
• Document assumptions, methodologies, and analytical findings.
• Translate technical results into practical information for program teams.

GIS & Remote Sensing

• Work with GIS and Remote Sensing specialists to analyze spatial hydrological information.
• Support the mapping of groundwater resources, watersheds, surface water bodies, and water-stressed areas.
• Interpret satellite imagery relevant to water resources and environmental monitoring.
• Support the use of geospatial datasets to understand water availability and distribution.
• Analyze spatial relationships between rainfall, soil moisture, surface water, and groundwater conditions.
• Contribute to the development of hydrological maps and spatial datasets.
• Support the integration of hydrological information into GIS platforms.
• Work with relevant satellite and environmental datasets, including NASA and other appropriate Earth observation sources.
• Support the identification of geographic patterns associated with water scarcity.
• Contribute to spatial assessments for humanitarian project planning.

WASH & Humanitarian Water Programming

• Provide technical hydrological input to Samawada's Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives.
• Support assessments of community water needs.
• Contribute technical research to water access and water security projects.
• Support the identification and assessment of potential water sources for community use.
• Provide hydrological input into water infrastructure planning.
• Support the assessment of wells, boreholes, and other community water sources using available technical information.
• Contribute to research on sustainable water supply systems.
• Work with WASH specialists to identify technical challenges affecting water access.
• Support the development of evidence-based water project proposals.
• Contribute technical information to humanitarian needs assessments and project reports.

Flood Risk & Watershed Assessment

• Research hydrological conditions associated with flooding.
• Support flood risk assessments using available rainfall, elevation, and hydrological datasets.
• Analyze watershed characteristics and drainage patterns.
• Examine historical flood events and their environmental impacts.
• Support the identification of communities potentially exposed to flood risks.
• Contribute to research on flood preparedness and resilience.
• Work with GIS and climate specialists to develop relevant flood risk maps.
• Support the integration of hydrological findings into disaster risk reduction initiatives.

Research, Technical Reports & Documentation

• Prepare hydrological research reports and technical assessments.
• Document methodologies, data sources, assumptions, and findings.
• Prepare technical summaries for project proposals and donor applications.
• Translate scientific information into understandable findings for non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to organizational research publications.
• Review technical reports related to water resources and climate resilience.
• Maintain organized records of hydrological research and datasets.
• Support the development of scientific evidence for humanitarian interventions.
• Present findings and recommendations to relevant internal teams.
• Ensure technical conclusions are supported by reliable evidence.

Project Development & Technical Support

• Provide hydrological input into the development of humanitarian water projects.
• Support the technical assessment of proposed water initiatives.
• Contribute to project feasibility research.
• Identify hydrological considerations that may affect project implementation.
• Support the development of water resource management strategies.
• Contribute technical information to grant applications and funding proposals.
• Work with Programs & Partnerships to align project activities with hydrological evidence.
• Support the monitoring and assessment of water-related project outcomes.
• Identify opportunities for research partnerships with universities and environmental institutions.
• Recommend opportunities for improving the technical quality of Samawada's water programming.

Data Quality & Scientific Integrity

• Assess the reliability and completeness of hydrological datasets.
• Identify missing, inconsistent, or questionable data.
• Document data limitations and uncertainties.
• Use appropriate scientific methodologies when interpreting hydrological information.
• Distinguish measured observations from modelled estimates and assumptions.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of research processes.
• Ensure that scientific findings are not overstated.
• Support the validation of hydrological analysis through appropriate reference datasets.
• Follow Samawada's data protection, research, and information