At a Glance
- Tasks: Create a compelling report on water deficit impacts on children and vulnerable communities.
- Company: Join Save the Children, a leading organisation dedicated to improving children's lives globally.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience in research, policy recommendations, and impactful storytelling.
- Other info: Flexible working days with a focus on collaboration and meaningful outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by addressing critical water security issues affecting future generations.
- Qualifications: Strong writing skills and a passion for social justice and environmental issues.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Save the Children International has an exciting short term consulting opportunity for a report on Lifetime Water Deficit.
1. Objective of the Report
The objective of this report is to translate recent scientific research on long-term pressures on renewable water resources into a clear, regionally contextualised narrative for development, climate and WASH audiences, and to propose implications for policy and investment.
Specifically, the report will aim to:
- Present the key insights from the recent research on lifetime water deficit for different generations, situating these findings within the broader context of global water security and long-term water system pressures.
- Connect these structural water pressures to the realities facing children and vulnerable populations, drawing on additional evidence sources (e.g. global WASH access data, lived experience research and case studies) to explore how water stress interacts with inequality, governance and how it will be further exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.
- Highlight the implications of these trends for water security, development and children’s wellbeing, recognising that water insecurity is shaped not only by environmental availability but also by infrastructure, management, local adaptations, social factors and intersectionality of children’s lived experience.
- Identify clear recommendations on how child-centred locally led adaptation and WASH policies can mitigate these issues and strengthen resilience and water security for vulnerable populations, including climate-resilient WASH systems, improved water governance and sustainable management of water resources.
The report should present the scientific findings accurately and transparently, avoiding interpretations that imply direct measurement of household water access or lived water insecurity.
2. Scope of the Report
The report will draw on global modelling results from the recent study on “lifetime water deficit”, while situating these findings as one aspect within the broader context of water security, development and WASH.
The report should:
- Present the study’s findings on projected changes in renewable surface water supply–demand imbalance across generations, highlighting key regional patterns and trends.
- Focus particularly on regions where structural water pressures intersect with high vulnerability and limited adaptive capacity, primarily in low- and lower-middle-income contexts.
- Complement the modelling results with relevant secondary datasets and existing evidence (e.g. global WASH access data (JMP), water use statistics, groundwater dependence, population trends and lived water insecurity research) to help contextualise the findings and explore how structural water pressures may translate into different outcomes for communities and children in particular.
- This includes linking to other key reports and data related to impact of climate on future water security.
- Examine the implications of these trends for water security, health, development and children’s wellbeing, including links with climate change, demographic change, governance and water management.
- Draw recommendations that open to a potential second phase of the project focusing on policy responses, investment priorities that can strengthen water security, climate resilience and WASH systems, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The report should clearly distinguish between projected structural water pressures and experienced water insecurity, recognising that the underlying research focuses on renewable surface water dynamics and does not directly measure household water access or lived experience.
3. Target Audience
The intended audience includes policymakers and practitioners working on climate adaptation and WASH issues.
4. Data Set
The underlying scientific study on lifetime water deficit, which provides the primary modelling results on projected renewable surface water supply–demand imbalance. With a focus on fragile and vulnerable context where the compounded effects of lifetime water scarcity can further impact on children’s lives.
Relevant secondary datasets and research that help contextualise these findings, such as global WASH access data (JMP), water use statistics, groundwater dependence, population trends, and existing studies on lived water insecurity.
Qualitative insights and case studies, where available, illustrating how water insecurity is experienced by communities and children.
5. Deliverables:
Specific Deliverables: A concise, up to 10-page report detailing key findings from the scientific paper, enhanced with secondary data and qualitative insights to illustrate real-world implications for vulnerable populations and children.
Format and Requirements: The report will be in English, copyedited, ready for design, and limited to 10 pages (excluding references). Any graphics developed can be done in rough outline form that the graphic designer can work with and develop from.
6. Timeline
The consultant will work between 10-15 days on delivering the report, targeting completion by the end of July 2026.
An initial outline by the consultant is expected after 5 days of work.
3-5 days for internal review and feedback.
The final report should be delivered after 5-10 more days of work by the consultant and integrate the feedback provided.
7. Key Stakeholders
Save the Children is the main organization behind this report. Collaboration with climate scientists who provided the research data, contributing as co-authors of the report.
8. Review and Approval Process
Save the Children, and the contributing researchers will review and approve the report. Other stakeholders that contributed to the research will review the research.
Review & feedback regarding the initial outline: 3-5 days. Final review & sign-off: Save the Children have 21 days for final review and sign-off of the report.
9. Confidentiality
The consultant must maintain confidentiality regarding unpublished data intended for publication in Science.
10. Design
Will be managed by a separate graphic design layout service provider after this consultancy is completed.
How to Apply:
Interested consultants are invited to apply by email. Please include the following:
- A CV and cover letter
- A financial proposal, indicating expected days and daily rate
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the advert may be closed earlier than advertised subject to the volume of suitable applicants. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.
Consultant - Save the Children Report on Lifetime Water Deficit in Cambridge employer: Save the Children International
Save the Children International is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful research that addresses critical global issues such as water security and children's wellbeing. With a strong commitment to employee development, a collaborative work culture, and the chance to engage with leading experts in climate science, this role not only promises meaningful work but also fosters professional growth in a supportive environment dedicated to making a difference in vulnerable communities worldwide.
Contact Detail:
Save the Children International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Consultant - Save the Children Report on Lifetime Water Deficit in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Save the Children or WASH initiatives. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you that consulting gig.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the latest research on water security and climate change. Show us you know your stuff and can discuss how these issues impact children and vulnerable populations. We love candidates who are informed and passionate!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply; engage! When you submit your application through our website, follow up with a quick email expressing your enthusiasm. It shows initiative and keeps you on our radar.
✨Tip Number 4
Tailor your pitch! Make sure to highlight your experience with data analysis and report writing, especially in relation to WASH and climate issues. We want to see how your skills align with the objectives of the report.
We think you need these skills to ace Consultant - Save the Children Report on Lifetime Water Deficit in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with the objectives of the report. Keep it concise but impactful, showing us why you're the perfect fit for this consulting opportunity.
Tailor Your CV:Don’t just send us a generic CV! Tailor it to showcase your skills and experiences that are most relevant to the Lifetime Water Deficit report. Highlight any previous work in WASH, climate adaptation, or policy recommendations to catch our eye.
Be Clear on Your Financial Proposal:When you submit your financial proposal, be transparent about your expected days and daily rate. This helps us understand your expectations and ensures we’re on the same page from the get-go!
Submit Early!:We review applications on a rolling basis, so don’t wait until the last minute! Submit your application through our website as soon as you can to avoid disappointment and give yourself the best chance of standing out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Save the Children International
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the recent scientific research on lifetime water deficit. Familiarise yourself with key insights and how they relate to water security and children's wellbeing. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Connect the Dots
Be prepared to discuss how structural water pressures affect vulnerable populations, especially children. Use examples from existing evidence or case studies to illustrate your points. This will help you stand out as someone who understands the real-world implications of the research.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the report's objectives and the collaboration with climate scientists. This shows that you're engaged and thinking critically about the project, which is exactly what Save the Children is looking for.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Highlight your experience in writing concise reports and working with secondary datasets. Mention any previous work that involved translating complex data into clear narratives. This will reassure the interviewers that you have the skills needed to deliver the report effectively.
