The mission of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is to conduct research and foster innovation through partnerships for collective action that advances the transformation of water systems for sustainable, just, and climate-resilient development. In Nepal, IWMI co-designs and implements applied research programs that address technical, institutional, financial, environmental, and social issues related to water management in the context of changing climatic and socio-economic conditions.
This Terms of Reference has been developed to hire a national consultant with expertise in public-private and community partnerships (PPCP), economic analysis, and inclusive and sustainable business models for water as a service (WaaS). The consultant will co-design, implement, and scale socio-technical scientific innovations related to irrigation modernization, WaaS, and irrigated agricultural value chains.
The consultant will lead the scaling of water and irrigation management interventions and facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations in partnership with the private sector, government agencies, development partners, and end users. These efforts will support the co-design and implementation of business models and scaling pathways that promote water solutions for both productive and domestic uses, benefiting women, youth, indigenous peoples, and marginalized groups involved in agriculture.
The consultant will also lead efforts to create an enabling environment for lift irrigation and co-develop scalable business models for integrating water systems into agri-food systems transformation. These models will be climate-resilient, gender-responsive, and socially inclusive. The consultant will work closely with IWMI researchers and local partners to ensure the effective delivery of project outputs and outcomes.
SCOPE OF WORK:
1. Technical Support:
Analyze the enabling environment and barriers for waterโagriculture nexus innovations, including regulations, trade and subsidy policies, markets, and institutional frameworks that promote sustainable, farmer-friendly agriculture in the context of climate change, socio-economic drivers, and Nepalโs federal structure. Lead the co-development of scalable financial models and business plans for Water-as-a-Service (WaaS) and irrigated agricultural value chains, in collaboration with government agencies, the private sector, cooperatives, local institutions, farmer groups, and CGIAR centers. Lead business ecosystem analysis to support the scaling of socio-technical innovations such as irrigation information systems, lift irrigation, solar irrigation, micro-irrigation technologies, and multiple-use water systems. Facilitate the co-design of effective, context-appropriate, and GESI-responsive (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion) scaling pathways for Water-as-a-Service (WaaS). Develop, validate, and finalize financial models that ensure affordability, sustainability, and scalability of WaaS solutions, targeting both the hill and Terai regions of Nepal. Ensure the timely delivery of project outputs, including reports and blogs, to share insights and promote the uptake of socio-technical innovations.
2. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Management for Scaling Innovations:
Collaborate with government agencies to integrate tested and scalable water and agriculture solutions into local policies and climate adaptation plans. Build partnerships with private sector actors, SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises), cooperatives, financial institutions, and development programs to co-design, test, and upscale successful irrigation and irrigated agricultural value chain innovations. Facilitate the engagement of women, youth, and rural communities by promoting their participation in socio-technical innovation efforts and tailoring solutions to meet their needs. Work with biophysical and social scientists to integrate GESI and governance approaches into water business models, market and financial analyses, and scaling strategies. Establish and maintain regular communication with key government agencies at the federal, provincial, and local levels to create policy and institutional demand for the uptake of socio-technical innovations related to agroecological farming, irrigation services, and irrigated value chains.
3. Knowledge Management, Co-Learning, and Communication:
Engage with the private sector, local NGOs, community institutions, cooperatives, water user groups, and networks of youth, women, and agri-entrepreneurs (SME owners) to create an enabling environment for scaling irrigation innovations. Prepare reports, blog posts, impact stories, policy briefs, technical summaries, and other communication materials related to socio-technical innovations and their scaling, targeting both internal and external audiences. Participate in and contribute to stakeholder meetings and workshops relevant to agricultural development, irrigation, renewable energy, and climate-smart agriculture. Organize and facilitate participatory and inclusive town hall meetings, roundtable dialogues, and knowledge forums for co-designing and implementing inclusive, sustainable business models for climate-smart water solutions. These include multiple uses of waterโfor irrigation, livestock, micro-enterprises, fisheries, and domestic purposes.Requirements
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS REQUIRED:
Essential:
A Masterโs or advanced degree in Business Management, Business Administration, Development Economics, Agricultural Economics, or a closely related discipline relevant to water, land, energy resources management, and agricultural innovation systems and scaling. 5โ7 years of professional experience in agricultural value chain development, economic analysis of agribusinesses, multi-stakeholder engagement, public-private-community partnership (PPCP) approaches, and project coordination. Demonstrated experience coordinating with government agencies, private sector stakeholders, development partners, local institutions, and grassroots communities. Excellent knowledge and skills in co-designing business models for scaling socio-technical innovations, with an intersectional approach that actively engages indigenous peoples, farmer groups, women- and youth-led businesses, disability networks, and socially excluded groups. Experience in preparing impact stories, research reports, and field notes for technical and policy audiences. Strong interpersonal skills; adaptable and flexible with experience working in interdisciplinary and multicultural team environments. Ability to travel to research sites with limited facilities. Strong organizational, facilitation, and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams. Good understanding of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) issues in Nepal, particularly in the agriculture and irrigation sectors. Fluency in Nepali and proficiency in English (oral and written).Desirable:
Experience with participatory research or community-based natural resource management and agricultural development. Prior experience working on research-for-development projects in water, agriculture, energy, and natural resource management. Experience and knowledge in working with collective action initiatives involving farmers and youth in agri-enterprises and/or climate-resilient agriculture.Benefits
This is a nationally hired consultancy; therefore, only Nepalese nationals will be considered for this position. Individuals with relevant abilities are encouraged to apply. IWMI offers a competitive monthly rate for this assignment. The duration of the contract will be for a period of six (6) months.
How to Apply: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. Applications will be accepted until 24:00 (IST) on June 30, 2025 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references. All applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
IWMI believes that diversity fuels our innovation, enhances our excellence, and is essential to our mission. We offer a multicultural, multicolor, multigenerational, and multidisciplinary working environment. We are committed to creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our dedication to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applications from individuals of all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Apply Now