Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. With a workforce of over 2,000 employees, UNESCO operates in more than 190 countries, focusing on building peace in the minds of men and women. The organization is dedicated to fostering sustainable development through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information, and it plays a crucial role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequalities.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant is integral to the UNESCO-led project aimed at enhancing the sustainability of the Transboundary Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Aquifer (CMDA). This project is critical due to the significant environmental and socio-economic challenges faced by the aquifer system, which supports around 35 million people. The Consultant will provide technical support for analyzing groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GWDE) in Vietnam, contributing to a joint transboundary assessment of groundwater resources. The role requires collaboration with national experts and institutions from both Vietnam and Cambodia, ensuring that the scientific assessments align with the project's objectives. The Consultant will be responsible for identifying relevant GWDE, compiling and analyzing data, and preparing reports that summarize findings and contribute to the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA). This position demands a high level of expertise in hydrology, biodiversity, and ecosystem assessment, as well as strong communication skills to facilitate collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Consultant will undertake several key tasks, including:

• Identifying and selecting relevant Groundwater-dependent Ecosystems (GWDE) in Vietnam based on existing assessments and protected site information.
• Compiling and analyzing data related to selected GWDE sites to support their assessment, identifying any data gaps.
• Contributing to a collaborative assessment of the GWDE, evaluating the state of ecosystems and their services, and assessing potential impacts from climate change and anthropogenic activities.
• Preparing a comprehensive report summarizing contributions to the TDA process for the Vietnamese side of the CMDA.
• Participating in internal and external meetings and workshops as required, providing expert input and facilitating discussions among stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a graduate degree (MSc.) in relevant fields such as ecology, hydrology, biodiversity and conservation, or related environmental disciplines. Additionally, candidates should have at least 10 years of qualifying work experience in biodiversity and ecosystem assessment, particularly in water resource management within Vietnam. Proven experience in the Mekong Delta region and collaboration with government agencies on water resource topics is essential. Proficiency in GIS-based applications and office software is also required, along with excellent communication skills in both English and Vietnamese.

Educational Background:
A graduate degree (MSc.) in ecology, hydrology, biodiversity and conservation, aquatic biology, aquatic bio-sciences, ecosystem sciences, or related environmental or engineering disciplines is required. A PhD in a related field is desirable and would enhance the candidate's qualifications.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience, which may include research experience in biodiversity and ecosystem assessment or water resource management. Experience in the Mekong Delta region and working with ministries and government agencies at various levels is highly valued. Previous involvement in UN projects related to ecology and hydrology will be considered an asset.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Vietnamese is mandatory, with excellent skills in writing, speaking, and reading. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an advantage but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration is set for 7 months, with the possibility of extension for an additional 3 to 4 months based on performance and project needs. The total engagement of the expert shall not exceed 11 person-months throughout the contract period. Payments will be made upon acceptance of deliverables by UNESCO. The expert may be required to undertake missions, with related expenses covered according to UNESCO and EU-UN cost norms in Vietnam. The position is open to external candidates, and UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices.