Role Overview
The overall objective of this consultancy is to provide high-level technical leadership and specialized expertise in hydrogeological modelling across UNESCO groundwater initiatives. The role aims to strengthen groundwater assessment, groundwater resource planning, climate resilience, drought preparedness, and evidence-based decision-making through the development and application of innovative groundwater modelling tools and decision-support systems.
Detailed Scope of Services
Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA), and in close collaboration with UNESCO Headquarters, project partners, and designated national counterparts, the Consultant shall:
- Lead the development, refinement, and application of conceptual and numerical groundwater models across UNESCO groundwater initiatives to support sustainable groundwater management and climate resilience.
- Integrate hydrogeological, hydroclimatic, hydrogeochemical, remote sensing, and groundwater monitoring datasets.
- Apply advanced modelling approaches and prepare technical reports, modelling documentation, and scientific recommendations.
- Develop, calibrate, validate, and operationalize groundwater forecasting models, climate scenario analyses, Decision Support Systems (DSS), and Groundwater Early Warning Systems (EWS).
- Strengthen groundwater planning, drought preparedness, and evidence-based decision-making.
- Support stakeholder engagement, technical capacity development, knowledge transfer, and strategic technical advice to UNESCO and project partners.
Deliverables
- Work Plans and Technical Deliverables: Prepare and submit detailed work plans for assigned groundwater initiatives, including methodologies, implementation schedules, and reporting timelines.
- Modelling and Decision Systems: Develop and apply conceptual and numerical groundwater models, forecasting tools, climate scenario analyses, DSS, and Groundwater EWS.
- Reporting & Capacity Building: Prepare Model Development Reports, Application Reports, technical documentation, capacity-building materials, and final technical reports.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Support technical meetings, validation workshops, field missions, technology transfer, and technical recommendations.
Reporting and Supervision
- The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Head of the Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO ROEA, or a designated representative, in close coordination with UNESCO project managers.
- Technical deliverables must be submitted according to agreed work plans, with regular progress updates.
- All reports, outputs, datasets, technical documentation, and training materials developed under this consultancy remain the property of UNESCO.
Duration and Timeline
- Contract Duration: 24 Months.
- Support at least two UNESCO groundwater initiatives: Ensuring a Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Water Supply in the Northern Part of Mauritius and Groundwater Drought Early Warning System (EWS) for Southern Madagascar (PBF).
Qualifications & Requirements
- Education: PhD in Hydrogeology or a closely related discipline.
- Experience: Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in groundwater studies and hydrogeological modelling.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and applying conceptual and numerical groundwater models.
- Proven experience in integrating hydrogeological and hydroclimatic data into modelling workflows.
- Research expertise in climate change and drought impacts on groundwater systems.
- Languages: Fluency in English and French.
.png){kind=logo}
