EAII Advisors Manager Safe Water Operations

This position is with EAII Advisors, Evidence Action's technical partner in India.

About EAII 

EAII Advisors, Evidence Action's technical partner in India, supports the implementation of the school and Anganwadi-based National Deworming Day program, as well as iron and folic acid supplementation programs, across 10 states by providing technical assistance to applicable state ministries of health, education, and women and child development. Moving forward, EAII Advisors aims to expand its impact by collaborating with more state governments on these existing programs, as well as supporting new public health, water, & nutrition programming.

About Evidence Action

At Evidence Action, we deliver data-driven interventions that transform lives at an unprecedented scale. We identify neglected global health issues and deploy proven solutions, forging healthier futures for generations.

Our model operationalizes leading academic research (including from Nobel-winning economists). We measure progress and outcomes at every stage to ensure we're making a real impact for people living in poverty and suffering from preventable or treatable health issues. Operating across 9 countries, our team of 800+ has reached over 500 million people, working closely with governments to scale these interventions.

• Our Deworm the World program has delivered over 2 billion treatments, significantly reducing worm prevalence and generating more than $23 billion in lifetime productivity gains. 
• Through Safe Water Now, we've saved the lives of over 15,000 children. 
• Our Accelerator explores untapped opportunities in global health, testing low-cost interventions with the greatest potential to save and improve lives. 

At Evidence Action, your colleagues are your greatest asset. You'll partner with high-caliber colleagues in an environment blending innovation, autonomy, and teamwork. Our team excels in disruptive thinking and believes in rolling up our sleeves to get things done. If you're looking to work flexibly and with purpose, join a team that delivers measurable change for millions.

About Safe Water Now

Evidence Action's Safe Water Now program provides safe drinking water to over 10 million people across rural Uganda, Malawi, and Kenya. Recent evidence highlights that water treatment may be among the most cost-effective interventions available to save young children's lives, reducing all-cause child mortality by about 25%. The Dispensers for Safe Water (DSW) program, based on research by a Nobel-winning economist, utilizes an innovative and human-centric design to deliver clean water at the source in rural settings, achieving usage rates which are 5x that of comparable interventions. Evidence Action recently launched a next generation technology, In-Line Chlorination (ILC) in Uganda and Malawi, targeting rural, peri-urban, and urban communities, which has the potential to be even more cost-effective. Over the past year, we've more than doubled our footprint in East Africa and are actively exploring opportunities for expansion into new countries.

In addition to its longstanding work in East Africa, Evidence Action, through its technical partner in India, EAII Advisors, is launching a major technical assistance program to help the government of India reach 17.5 million people across multiple states with safe water. This complements the Indian government's effort to bring water access to every household in the country.

The Role

The Manager, Safe Water Operations will play a critical role in overseeing and ensuring the effective implementation of the Safe Water program across multiple states in India. You report directly to the Senior Manager, Safe Water Operations (SMSWO), you will lead day-to-day operations, working closely with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders to ensure that the program's objectives are met with the highest quality standards. You will be responsible for strategic planning, operational excellence, and scaling the program in alignment with organizational goals. 

This role requires a proactive leader with strong experience in process improvement, vendor management, and supply chain oversight. You will focus on improving operational processes, monitoring performance metrics, and addressing potential challenges as they arise.

You will oversee the deployment and maintenance of water treatment devices in multiple states, ensuring timely procurement and efficient operations across the supply chain. Regular reporting on program progress and risks to the Senior Manager is essential. Field visits to program sites will also be a critical aspect of this role, helping ensure that on-ground teams are supported and compliance with protocols is maintained. 

The role demands excellent leadership, analytical, and communication skills, you will regularly collaborate with government bodies, and partners to align program activities with broader national goals. A major focus will also be on mentoring state-level teams, conducting training, and developing tools and materials to support consistent execution across all states. You will require travel up to 50% of the time, primarily within business days, with some potential weekend engagements.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and execution of the safe water program across multiple states, ensuring that the program aligns with overall organizational objectives.
• Drive process improvement, excellence, and implementation by evaluating current practices, identifying areas for optimization, and ensuring the smooth execution of new processes.
• Oversee the monitoring of program performance, ensuring that operational plans meet performance goals and that quality standards are consistently upheld.
• Manage and coordinate state teams to ensure that deployment, installation, and maintenance of water treatment devices are effectively carried out across states.
• Oversee procurement, supply chain management, and vendor relations, ensuring contracts are managed according to organizational policies and maintaining compliance.
• Provide leadership in scaling program operations, ensuring efficient expansion across multiple states while maintaining a focus on quality and process adherence.
• Regularly report to the Senior Manager Safe Water Operations (SMSWO) on progress, risks, and strategic recommendations.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to create and refine documentation, reports, and presentations for both internal and external use.
• Ensure continuous monitoring and evaluation of program operations, using data-driven approaches to assess program success and areas for improvement.
• Conduct field visits to support program teams and monitor state-level implementation, ensuring compliance with established protocols.
• Collaborate with government bodies, external partners, and NGOs, ensuring alignment with national policies such as the Jal Jeevan Mission and other water-related government efforts.
• Participate in Organizational events and represent the Organization in external events.
• Development of training materials and communication strategies to support state-level teams and ensure consistency in process implementation. Impart training to state teams and teams of different contractors.
• Competency in resource planning, budgeting, productivity evaluation, and productivity management.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in Engineering, a master's (Management/Engineering) degree or relevant advanced certification is preferred
• 5+ years of experience working with fast-paced startups with operations as a core function
• Proven experience in process improvement, excellence, and implementation, with a focus on large-scale program management
• Strong knowledge and experience in strategic planning, process optimization, and the ability to manage cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage complex projects, including vendor and supply chain management, across multiple geographic locations
• Strong skills in monitoring, evaluation, and process tracking to ensure the success of program execution
• Proven ability to engage and work effectively with external partners and stakeholders
• Excellent analytical, communication, and presentation skills, with fluency in English and the ability to create detailed reports and presentations
• Ability to manage competing priorities in fast-paced environments, with an action-oriented and entrepreneurial problem-solving approach
• Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time, with occasional weekend engagements as needed
• Experience in scaling solutions in resource-limited environments while maintaining quality and operational efficiency
• Experience providing advisory services to government bodies and stakeholders in development, WASH, or related sectors
• Familiarity with government programs such as Jal Jeevan Mission or similar water-related initiatives

Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and that additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time.

Location

This role is based in New Delhi.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of a Indian employment visa at this time. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the India for roles based in India.

Benefits

EAII provides a comprehensive benefits package for employees worldwide. Benefits include:

• comprehensive health insurance,
• retirement savings options,
• life insurance,
• generous leave,
• avenues for engagement and recognition.

Compensation:  Competitive and commensurate with the individual's credentials, experience, and previous pay scale. 

All contracting arrangements will be made through EAII Advisors Private Limited. EAII is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at EAII is based solely on an individual's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. EAII does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, caste, creed, colour, religion, gender, origin, disability, marital status, or any other basis protected by law.

All candidates applying for the position should upload a resume along with cover letter mentioning current and expected salary.