Program Director - AI Tools for Water Use Optimization

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center, is seeking a Program Director to head a proposed project responding to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) Annual Program Statement for Egypt (DFOP0018819), under the priority area “AI Tools for Water Usage Optimization.”

This initiative will support Egypt in harnessing advanced data analytics and AI-enabled tools to strengthen water security decision-making at the institutional and policy levels, translating complex hydrological and environmental data into actionable insights for Egyptian and U.S. commercial stakeholders. The anticipated project start date is November 2026, subject to the availability of funds*.

This is an internationally recruited position; therefore, individuals with relevant abilities from diverse locations around the world are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate is expected to be based in Egypt.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide day-to-day oversight of the award, including fiscal management, personnel management, stakeholder relations, and overall project implementation and evaluation.
• Lead the development or adaptation of AI-enabled tools that integrate multiple data streams – satellite imagery, hydrological data, weather modeling, and agricultural inputs – to support water availability analysis and demand forecasting.
• Oversee the design of decision-support systems that generate operationally relevant outputs for water managers, agricultural planners, and policymakers.
• Identify and cultivate opportunities for U.S. firms and technologies in advanced analytics and remote sensing, positioning U.S. businesses as preferred partners for Egyptian counterparts and helping translate project outcomes into broader U.S. commercial engagement in the water/AI sector.
• Manage pilot deployments in partnership with Egyptian technical agencies, academic institutions, and private-sector partners to test and refine tools in real-world operational contexts.
• Direct capacity-building activities to support institutional uptake, ensuring Egyptian counterparts can sustain and apply the tools beyond the project period.
• Engage relevant government, academic, and US and Egyptian private-sector stakeholders to ensure project outputs inform policy-relevant discussions on water governance and resource management.
• Manage the project team and budget, and ensure compliance with U.S. Government grant regulations (2 CFR 200), donor reporting requirements, and IWMI policies.
• Represent IWMI in donor, government, and partner engagements related to the project.

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Education, Certifications & Trainings:

• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in water resources management, digital systems, commercialization, data science, or a related field.

Experience & Skills:

• A minimum of 10 years of senior program/project management experience, including managing multi-million-dollar grants or cooperative agreements.
• Demonstrated experience leading U.S. Government-funded programs, ideally in water, agriculture, or emerging technology sectors in Egypt or the MENA region.
• Proven track record managing project budgets, fiscal compliance, and personnel, and reporting to institutional donors.
• Experience building partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector in Egypt.
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Experience overseeing the development or application of AI, advanced analytics, remote sensing, or decision-support tools is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with U.S. Government compliance requirements (2 CFR 200) is an advantage.

Benefits

This is an internationally recruited position with a competitive salary, an attractive retirement plan, comprehensive international health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. Internationally recruited staff who are employed at a duty station outside of their home base/country of nationality will also receive relocation assistance, a housing allowance, home-leave plane tickets for self and eligible dependents and education assistance for eligible dependents. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years.

*DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that the availability of this position is contingent upon the receipt of donor funding.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. The vacancy will remain open until filled; however, applications will not be accepted after 24:00 (IST) on September 02, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received, and early applications are strongly encouraged. Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, who may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.