IWMI : About IWMI - Join the IWMI team

Join the IWMI team

IWMI needs you… to help feed the world

“How can we feed the world's growing population with dwindling water supplies? IWMI is at the forefront of solving this great global challenge. From 13 offices in Asia and Africa our 280-strong multicultural team finds innovative ways to use water sustainably to grow crops and reduce poverty. We'd love you to join us. As well as benefiting from our world-class facilities, competitive employment packages and stimulating working environment, you'll be contributing to world food security.”

Christine Croombes, Director, Human Resources

A stimulating workplace Working at IWMI is an enriching and rewarding experience. Our 280 locally and internationally recruited staff encompass research scientists, engineers, IT experts, communications experts and administrators.		A truly international organization Operating from headquarters in a suburb of Colombo, Sri Lanka, IWMI was founded in 1985 as the International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI). Over time, its experts realized that irrigation could be more effective if considered within the wider context of managing water resources, so it became the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
	Read more		Read more

IWMI's policies and benefits IWMI's workplace comprises an eclectic mix of research and operations staff, from diverse disciplines and cultures. As an equal opportunities employer, we appoint people regardless of gender, race, national or social origin, political affiliation or any other form of personal identity.		Climbing the IWMI ladder IWMI believes that investing in staff, so they perform to the best of their abilities, is the way to achieve its aim of securing ‘water for a food-secure world'. We link strategic and operational objectives to individuals' performance goals.
	Read more		Read more

What our staff think of IWMI

What I've enjoyed most…

"When I attended a series of workshops aimed at assessing environmental flow requirements for the Ganges River, biologists, ecologists, livelihood experts, environmentalists and government water engineers – who wouldn't normally talk to each other – all sat and discussed the issue together. It was a very moving experience."
read more...

What I've enjoyed most…

"Working on a wetlands project in southern Africa. We had a lot of fieldwork to do so we made three five- or six-week trips, driving out to different wetlands and undertaking fieldwork in each one. There were three of us and it was very interesting and a lot of good fun. IWMI is a friendly organization. Being in a research environment means most people have a similar outlook on life. It's pretty collegiate."
read more...

What I've enjoyed most…

"I enjoy the variation that my work entails. For example, I spend a lot of time working in the field at project sites with communities in different countries, gaining an insight into people's livelihoods and how they engage with different aspects of their lives. Having this opportunity has been one of the highlights of my work. I also enjoy the challenge of working and managing multidisciplinary teams, and the opportunities to discuss and convey our research ideas and findings to practitioners, decision makers and other researchers."
read more...

What I've enjoyed most…

"I was involved with organizing the annual research meeting in 2009. Researchers from IWMI's offices across the world came and presented the paper they felt best reflected their research. Listening to everyone present their papers was one of my best experiences at IWMI, as it made me realize what a diverse community we are and how so many people are passionate about what they do. It was a great learning opportunity for me."
read more...

What I've enjoyed most…

"I enjoy promoting evidence-based decision-making in the agricultural sector, and the knowledge-sharing side of things. I particularly like generating new research ideas, initiating and leading analytical studies to monitor and evaluate agricultural growth, poverty reduction and public investments in agriculture in Southern Africa, including agricultural water investments."
read more...

What I've enjoyed most…

"I've really enjoyed seeing IWMI grow from an office of four or five people to a major employer, and being part of that process. I've watched it evolve under the guidance of several different directors general, which has been fascinating. The culture of diversity and the working environment here are very good. I am glad to be part of the IWMI family."
read more...

What I've enjoyed most…

"In 2008, the Program Office was involved in managing logistics for the Annual Research Meeting. We were given a budget and had to help organise food and meeting rooms for the 75 participants. My work in the finance department had been very routine and without much variation, so I found this particularly interesting. I am now IWMI Welfare & Recreation Society Secretary, and was also a member of the committee that organised the annual staff party. IWMI is a very nice place to work in and I am looking forward to the changes we might have in the near future."
read more...