Hydrogeologist

Kandahar Refugee Organization (KRO) is a national-level, non-political, non-profit, non-governmental organization working for humanitarian and rehabilitation roots in Afghanistan. Further, KRO is an Afghan organization that is committed to the development of the local economy and building local capacity for sustainable development. Thus, we have an established specialized network in many provinces of the country in order to design and implement related activities in the field of food security, research, capacity building, disaster management, and placement.

The Hydrogeologist will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and will be responsible for conducting hydrogeological assessments, groundwater investigations, and technical analysis to support the planning, design, development, and rehabilitation of sustainable water supply systems under the AHF project.

The position will assess groundwater availability, aquifer conditions, water quality, and potential borehole/water-well sites and provide technical recommendations for groundwater-based WASH interventions. The Hydrogeologist will support field surveys, geophysical investigations, test drilling, borehole construction, pumping tests, water quality assessments, and interpretation of hydrogeological data.

The Hydrogeologist will work closely with the Project Manager, WASH team, Design Engineer, contractors, local authorities, communities, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that groundwater interventions are technically sound, safe, sustainable, and appropriate to local conditions. The position will also contribute to technical documentation, monitoring, reporting, and quality assurance throughout the project cycle.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct hydrogeological assessments and groundwater investigations for proposed WASH water supply interventions.
• Identify and assess potential sites for boreholes, wells, and other groundwater sources.
• Conduct or support geological, hydrogeological, and geophysical field surveys as required.
• Assess groundwater availability, aquifer characteristics, recharge conditions, groundwater levels, and potential risks.
• Review available geological, hydrogeological, topographical, and groundwater data and prepare technical recommendations.
• Support the selection of suitable borehole/well locations based on technical, environmental, and community considerations.
• Supervise and provide technical guidance during borehole drilling and well construction activities.
• Monitor drilling activities, lithological logging, borehole depth, casing, screen placement, gravel packing, sealing, and other technical works.
• Review and verify drilling logs and hydrogeological information provided by drilling contractors.
• Support borehole development, well cleaning, and appropriate completion procedures.
• Plan, supervise, or support pumping tests and recovery tests to determine borehole yield and aquifer performance.
• Analyze pumping-test and groundwater data and provide recommendations regarding sustainable abstraction rates.
• Support groundwater quality assessments and coordinate water sampling and laboratory testing.
• Review water quality results and identify potential risks related to drinking-water use.
• Identify potential sources of groundwater contamination and recommend appropriate protection measures.
• Provide technical recommendations for borehole pumps, water abstraction systems, and related WASH infrastructure in coordination with the Design Engineer.
• Ensure groundwater interventions consider sustainability, water availability, environmental risks, and potential impacts on existing water users.
• Support the preparation and review of technical designs, specifications, BOQs, and cost estimates related to groundwater components.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor hydrogeological and groundwater-related activities.
• Monitor contractors and technical teams to ensure compliance with approved designs, specifications, and required quality standards.
• Identify technical problems, risks, deviations, and implementation challenges and recommend appropriate corrective measures.
• Maintain accurate records of borehole locations, coordinates, depths, drilling logs, groundwater levels, test results, water quality results, and other technical information.
• Prepare hydrogeological assessment reports, technical reports, site visit reports, and groundwater monitoring updates.
• Support the development and maintenance of groundwater databases and technical records.
• Coordinate with the WASH Design Engineer, WASH Officer, Project Manager, contractors, local authorities, and communities on groundwater-related activities.
• Provide technical information and guidance to project staff and relevant stakeholders on groundwater resources and sustainable water use.
• Support community awareness on proper use, protection, and sustainable management of groundwater sources.
• Ensure appropriate consideration of gender, disability inclusion, protection, environmental risks, and the needs of vulnerable communities in groundwater interventions.
• Support testing, commissioning, completion, and technical handover of groundwater facilities.
• Conduct or support post-construction monitoring of boreholes and groundwater sources.
• Ensure activities comply with approved project plans, organizational policies, WASH standards, and relevant donor requirements.
• Perform other relevant technical duties assigned by the Project Manager.

• Bachelor’s degree in Hydrogeology, Geology, Water Resources Engineering, Hydrology, or a closely related field required.
• 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in hydrogeological assessments, groundwater exploration, borehole development, water supply, or WASH infrastructure projects.
• Previous experience working on humanitarian or development projects is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in groundwater investigations, borehole siting, drilling supervision, and groundwater assessment.
• Practical experience with geophysical surveys and interpretation for groundwater exploration is desirable.
• Experience in supervising borehole drilling, borehole construction, development, and completion.
• Experience conducting or supervising pumping tests and interpreting groundwater data.
• Knowledge and experience in groundwater quality assessment and water sampling.
• Ability to analyze hydrogeological, geological, geophysical, and groundwater data.
• Knowledge of aquifer characteristics, groundwater recharge, groundwater levels, sustainable abstraction, and groundwater protection.
• Experience preparing hydrogeological reports, technical assessments, specifications, BOQs, and recommendations.
• Familiarity with relevant WASH and groundwater standards and good engineering practices.
• Knowledge of GIS, GPS, AutoCAD, or other relevant technical software is an advantage.
• Good working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and other reporting/documentation tools.
• Strong technical, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to supervise contractors and provide technical guidance during field implementation.
• Strong communication and coordination skills with communities, contractors, local authorities, and project teams.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team in challenging field environments.
• Fluency in Pashto and/or Dari; good working knowledge of English is preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to project sites and conduct field assessments.
• Commitment to accountability, safeguarding, inclusion, participation, and the Do No Harm principle.
• Ability to work respectfully and professionally with people from diverse backgrounds, including different nationalities, ethnicities, genders, religions, cultures, and social groups.

Key Competencies

• Hydrogeological and groundwater assessment
• Groundwater exploration and borehole siting
• Borehole drilling supervision
• Pumping-test supervision and analysis
• Water quality assessment
• Technical reporting and documentation
• Field monitoring and quality control
• Problem-solving and technical decision-making
• Contractor and stakeholder coordination
• Community engagement
• Environmental and groundwater-resource protection
• Teamwork and communication
• Accountability and professionalism

Inclusion Statement

KRO maintains a stringent zero-tolerance policy towards any behavior that contradicts its objectives, encompassing sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. Moreover, KRO is committed to upholding comprehensive child safeguarding principles. Consequently, all prospective candidates will be held accountable to these high standards and principles, necessitating thorough reference and background checks. These checks will involve verifying academic credentials and employment history. Additionally, selected candidates may be requested to furnish supplementary information to facilitate the background check process.