Consultant for Groundwater Governance

Job Posting Organization:
The Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) is a comprehensive program launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations Regional Office for the Near East (FAO-RNE). The initiative was established to tackle the pressing challenges of water and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which is one of the most water-scarce areas globally. The WSI aims to enhance sustainable management of water resources while promoting food security. It supports national governments, institutions, and stakeholders by providing scientific research, policy guidance, and technical assistance. The initiative is structured around three core outcomes: strengthening governance structures for sustainable agricultural water use, enhancing resilience in food systems and water services against climate change impacts, and facilitating knowledge sharing to inform decision-making processes. The WSI operates across multiple countries in the MENA region, engaging various stakeholders to address water scarcity issues effectively.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in the Water Scarcity Initiative by contributing to groundwater governance efforts in Morocco. This position involves applying the groundwater governance assessment tool to a selected aquifer, conducting detailed institutional and policy analyses, and identifying gaps and opportunities for governance improvements. The consultant will engage with key stakeholders through consultations and workshops to gather insights and refine findings. The role also includes organizing stakeholder consultations and validation workshops to ensure that findings and recommendations are validated and widely accepted. The consultant will be responsible for logistical organization of inception and validation meetings, as well as managing social media outreach and local dissemination of project activities findings. This position is expected to last for four months, with specific deliverables outlined for each month, including establishing a groundwater study team, preparing summaries of meetings, and providing feedback on assessment methodologies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Senior Sustainable Development Officer for Water and the overall supervision of the Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability Cluster Lead, the consultant will be responsible for the following duties: Conduct institutional mapping and organizational analysis for the selected aquifer, identifying relevant stakeholders from various sectors in Morocco. Provide technical support for data collection related to the aquifer and ensure accessibility of information for decision-makers. Logistically support the organization of the Inception Meeting and training on participatory assessment methodologies. Prepare summaries of discussions from the Inception Meeting. Assist the national team in conducting a comprehensive assessment of groundwater governance, addressing all dimensions of the groundwater governance assessment tool. Support national dialogue through an inclusive participatory approach, identifying challenges and knowledge gaps, and providing recommendations. Prepare a groundwater governance assessment report based on input from the national team. Identify pathways and customized solutions for sustainable groundwater management and strengthen governance. Develop groundwater governance guidelines through consultations with the national team and provide draft recommendations. Prepare media content for social media outreach in Arabic and French to ensure visibility for consultations and reports.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in water resources management, natural resources management, agriculture, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. All candidates are required to submit a copy of their educational degree, as incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Additionally, a minimum of 7 years of experience in water resources management is required, including at least 2 years of experience specifically working on groundwater, agriculture, and climate change issues. Experience in organizing consultations and working with local stakeholder groups is desirable, as is demonstrated experience in conducting research.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as water resources management, natural resources management, or agriculture. Candidates with a first-level university degree along with qualifying experience may also be considered. It is essential for candidates to provide proof of their educational qualifications, as incomplete applications will not be considered.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of experience in the field of water resources management, with at least 2 years specifically focused on groundwater, agriculture, and climate change issues. Candidates should have experience in organizing consultations and engaging with local stakeholder groups, which is considered desirable. Demonstrated experience in conducting research related to water resources management is also beneficial for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic and French is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of English is also required. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Knowledge of a language is defined as a rating of 'confident' in at least two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for four months, and it is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.