Manager (Lead Hydrologist), ERCS Water Well Drilling Service IGA Unit Full Time NEW

Vacancy Announcement

The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) wants to hire employees in the following vacant positions the details of which are mentioned below.

About the Ethiopian Red Cross Society

The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) was established in 1935 and is one of the oldest and largest humanitarian organizations in Ethiopia. ERCS provides services to communities affected by natural and manmade disasters through the provision of emergency responses, ambulance and first aid, family reunification, essential drugs, water and sanitation, and other humanitarian services. ERCS also runs disaster risk reduction programs with the aim of creating resilience households and communities. Currently the ERCS has a structure consisting of Currently the Society has 14 regional branches, 40 zonal branches, 180 woreda branches, and 5,871 Kebele Red Cross Committees.

ERCS also runs disaster risk reduction programs relating to food security, climate change adaptation, livelihood diversification, and institutional capacity building interventions, with the aim of creating resilience households and communities. ERCS works in partnership with the Ethiopian Government, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), partnering National Societies, members, volunteers and the communities we serve.

1. Details of the vacant position

Work Unit: ERCS Water Well Drilling Service IGA Unit

Reports to: DSG, Public Private Partnership

Terms of employment: Contract

2. Job Summary

Under the general direction and guidance of the Deputy Secretary General for Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), the Manager (Lead Hydrologist) for the ERCS Water Well Drilling Service IGA Unit will be responsible for the provision of strategic leadership and oversight to the overall operations of the unit, to ensure efficient and optimal management of groundwater development and drilling services, generating the targeted revenues and achieving the strategic objectives and key performance indicators of the unit. Key responsibilities include overseeing the provision of quality, efficient water well drilling and groundwater development services to target clients and market segments; designing and implementing competitive pricing and cost-recovery pricing structures and service packages aligned with market standards; maintaining transparent, customer-focused service standards consistent with ERCS values. The role also ensures maintaining accurate and reliable records of drilling operations, borehole performance, equipment utilization, and maintenance activities. It ensures that all operations comply with national water resource regulations, environmental and social safeguards, and ERCS internal policies. Furthermore, the position ensures proper financial management, including invoicing, cost control, and operational expenses, and above all, ensures generating sustainable income from water well drilling services that can ensure sustainability of the project, support ERCS’s humanitarian and operational activities, and strengthen the financial self-reliance of the NS.

3. Specific Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide overall leadership, vision, and accountability for the unit’s performance, growth, and sustainability, ensuring alignment with the ERCS’s strategic and resource mobilization objectives.
2. Lead the full operationalization of the unit, developing and implementing all necessary governance structures, strategic plans, annual work plans, budgets, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and performance management systems.
3. Drive the hybrid business model by strategically balancing cost-recovery services for humanitarian and internal ERCS programs with for-profit commercial contracts to ensure financial health.
4. Identify and pursue new market opportunities for expansion, including emergency water supply, solar-powered water systems, geophysical surveys, and rural water supply schemes.
5. Serve as the final technical authority, providing expert oversight for all phases of groundwater development, including site selection, geophysical surveys, drilling, well design, and construction.
6. Review and approve all critical technical outputs, such as drilling logs, pumping test analyses, water quality reports, and final well completion reports, ensuring they meet the highest professional standards and client specifications.
7. Lead the application of best practices, ensuring that all projects adhere to climate-resilient design, integrated water resource management (IWRM) principles, and the latest advancements in drilling and well development technologies.
8. Provide expert troubleshooting for complex field challenges, such as low-yield boreholes, borehole instability, hard rock drilling, and equipment failures.
9. Oversee the full spectrum of drilling operations, from mobilization and site setup to drilling, well development, pump installation, and final commissioning, ensuring timely and efficient project execution.
10. Ensure the optimal utilization, preventive maintenance, and life-cycle management of all unit assets, including drilling rigs, support vehicles, pumps, compressors, and technical equipment, to maximize operational uptime and minimize costly downtime.
11. Monitor and analyze operational efficiency metrics, including drilling rate (meters/day), project cost per meter, equipment utilization rates, and fuel consumption, implementing corrective actions as needed.
12. Ensure rigorous compliance with all applicable Ethiopian water resource regulations, environmental and social management plans (ESIA/ESMP), ERCS internal policies, and the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
13. Establish, enforce, and continuously improve a comprehensive framework of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) standards, Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) protocols, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all technical and administrative activities.
14. Lead proactive risk management, systematically identifying and mitigating technical, financial, operational, security, and reputational risks to ensure the safety of staff and assets.
15. Lead all aspects of business development, including market analysis, development of competitive and cost-recovery pricing strategies, and preparation of high-quality technical and financial proposals for tenders and partnerships.
16. Actively identify, pursue, and secure contracts with UN agencies (UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP), international and national NGOs, government water bureaus, and private sector clients.
17. Oversee the unit’s financial performance, including budget preparation, cost control, invoicing, cash flow management, and revenue tracking, ensuring the unit meets its profitability and sustainability targets.
18. Prepare and lead contract negotiations, ensuring terms are favorable and compliant with ERCS policies.
19. Lead, inspire, and manage a diverse, multidisciplinary team of hydrogeologists, drilling supervisors, mechanics, and support staff, fostering a positive and accountable work culture.
20. Provide continuous on-the-job technical guidance, mentorship, and formal capacity building to enhance team skills in hydrogeology, advanced drilling techniques, HSE compliance, and equipment maintenance.
21. Conduct regular performance evaluations, set clear goals, and support the professional development of all team members, building a pipeline of future leaders.
22. Ensure seamless internal coordination between the technical team and the business development, finance, and procurement functions to ensure efficient workflow and project delivery.
23. Represent ERCS as the official spokesperson for the Water Well Drilling Service Unit in high-level meetings with government ministries (e.g., Ministry of Water and Energy), donor coordination forums, technical working groups, and with partners.
24. Build and nurture strategic partnerships with key actors in the WASH sector to enhance the unit’s credibility, secure new business opportunities, and influence sector standards.
25. Effectively communicate the unit’s value proposition to potential clients, highlighting ERCS’s unique combination of technical expertise, humanitarian principles, and nationwide operational reach.
26. Develop, monitor, and report on a balanced scorecard of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that measure technical quality, operational efficiency, financial performance, and client satisfaction.
27. Prepare and submit comprehensive, high-quality reports to the DSG-PPP and donors, including technical (well completion, hydrogeological assessment), financial, and operational performance reports.
28. Maintain a centralized, up-to-date database of all drilling projects, including hydrogeological data, as-built drawings, and maintenance records, to support evidence-based decision-making and future planning.
29. Use data analytics to identify trends, generate lessons learned, and provide strategic recommendations for improving performance and competitiveness.
30. Perform any other related duties and responsibilities assigned by the Deputy Secretary General for Public-Private Partnerships (DSG-PPP) in line with the objectives and strategic direction of the Water Well Drilling Service IGA Unit.

Job Specification

• Education and Work Experience: Second/First Degree in Hydrogeology, Geology, Earth Sciences, or a related field, and 8/10 years’ progressive experience in groundwater investigation, drilling supervision, and water resource development, including both humanitarian and commercial/institutional projects respectively out of which 4/6 years’ experience in managing a water well Drilling unit, in groundwater investigation, drilling supervision, and water resource development, including both humanitarian and commercial/institutional projects respectively.