International Consultant at UNESCO

Aims & Objectives

• The overall objective of this consultancy is to provide high-level technical leadership and specialized expertise in hydrogeological modelling across UNESCO groundwater initiatives 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.

Long Description

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 provide high-level technical expertise and strategic scientific guidance in hydrogeological modelling across UNESCO groundwater initiatives.

Specifically, 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, including the integration of hydrogeological, hydroclimatic, hydrogeochemical, remote sensing and groundwater monitoring datasets, application of advanced modelling approaches, and the preparation of 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) to strengthen groundwater planning, drought preparedness and evidence-based decision-making, while supporting stakeholder engagement, technical capacity development, knowledge transfer, and strategic technical advice to UNESCO and project partners. 

Long Description

Evaluation Criteria

• The selection of the Consultant shall be undertaken in accordance with UNESCO's policies and procedures governing the recruitment of Individual Consultants and shall be based on the Best Value for Money (BVM) principle, whereby technical quality is accorded greater importance than financial considerations.

The evaluation shall comprise two stages:

• Technical Evaluation (70%)
• Financial Evaluation (30%)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum score of 49 points out of the maximum 70 points in the technical evaluation shall be considered technically qualified and proceed to the financial evaluation.

Long Description

Deliverables

The Consultant shall be responsible for delivering the following outputs throughout the duration of the consultancy.

Deliverable: Work Plans, Hydrogeological Modelling and Technical Deliverables

• Prepare and submit detailed work plans for the assigned groundwater initiatives, including methodologies, implementation schedules and reporting timelines. Develop and apply conceptual and numerical groundwater models, groundwater forecasting tools, climate scenario analyses, Decision Support Systems (DSS) and Groundwater Early Warning Systems (EWS), and prepare the corresponding Model Development Reports, Application Reports, technical documentation, capacity-building materials and final technical reports. Support stakeholder engagement, technical meetings, validation workshops, field missions, technology transfer and technical recommendations to strengthen sustainable groundwater management and climate resilience.

Long Description

Reporting and Supervision

• The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Head of the Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA), or his/her designated representative, and in close coordination with the respective UNESCO project managers and technical teams responsible for the assigned groundwater initiatives.
• The Consultant shall prepare and submit all technical deliverables in accordance with the agreed work plan and implementation schedule. Regular progress updates shall be provided throughout the consultancy to ensure timely delivery of outputs, effective coordination with project partners, and incorporation of technical feedback where required.
• All reports, modelling outputs, datasets, technical documentation, training materials and other products developed under this consultancy shall be submitted in electronic format and shall become the property of UNESCO. Any publications or dissemination of information arising from this consultancy shall require prior written authorization from UNESCO.

Timeline

• The Consultant shall support a minimum of two (2) UNESCO groundwater initiatives during the contract period, namely the Ensuring a Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Water Supply in the Northern Part of Mauritius project and the Groundwater Drought Early Warning System (EWS) for Southern Madagascar (PBF) project.
• Additional groundwater initiatives may be assigned by UNESCO, where required, subject to the terms of this consultancy. The timeline for the expected deliverables is provided below. Project-specific implementation schedules shall be agreed with UNESCO at the commencement of each assignment.

CONTRACT DURATION

24 Months

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• PhD in Hydrogeology or a closely related discipline.

Mandatory Qualifications and Work Experience

• At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in groundwater studies and hydrogeological modelling.
• Demonstrated experience in the development and application of conceptual and numerical groundwater models.
• Proven experience in integrating hydrogeological and hydroclimatic data into groundwater modelling workflows.
• Research expertise in climate change and drought impacts on groundwater systems.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated experience in the development and application of conceptual and numerical groundwater models.
• Proven experience in integrating hydrogeological and hydroclimatic data into groundwater modelling workflows.
• Research expertise in climate change and drought impacts on groundwater systems.

LANGUAGES

• Fluent English and French..