National Consultant - Water Resource and Water Governance

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF has a workforce that reflects the diversity of the children it serves and is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in developing an innovative approach to sustainable groundwater resource management in Northern Kenya. This position involves collaboration with the Kenya Country Office and the WASH Innovation Hub team, focusing on identifying potential pilot sites for groundwater resource development. The consultant will assess the sustainability of water sources, community expenditure on water, and the willingness of county governments to innovate. The outcome will include detailed reports on up to four pilot sites, outlining the local water resources, demand assessments, stakeholder mapping, and financing models. The consultant will also be responsible for compiling and maintaining a database of relevant data and ensuring that the information is accessible for future use.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a Local Water Resources Assessment, evaluating the current status of groundwater and surface water, including aquifers and seasonal variability.
• Perform a climate risk assessment regarding water source availability, considering rainfall patterns, drought cycles, and community dynamics.
• Identify and collate existing resources such as hydrogeological surveys and research from development partners.
• Document the accessibility of this information and identify gaps in monitoring and climate impact projections.
• Review current and projected water demand, considering population distribution, agricultural needs, and livestock requirements.
• Map existing datasets and assess the accessibility of data sources.
• Identify and map relevant stakeholders involved in water supply and resource management, documenting their roles and current interventions.
• Review existing tariff structures and affordability studies, identifying gaps in data and knowledge.
• Map existing financing models for water resources and governance, assessing their sustainability and inclusiveness. 1
• Compile a clear report on the data used and outline further studies required for selected sites.

Required Qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Water Resources Management, or other relevant fields.
• A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in water resource assessments, governance, or related technical fields is required.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex data and produce actionable insights and reports.
• Excellent analytical, report-writing, and communication skills are essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Water Resources Management, or other relevant fields. Alternatively, a first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience at national and/or international levels, specifically in water resource assessments, governance, and related technical fields. Candidates should have a proven track record of identifying and extracting key data relevant to governance strategies and technical programs for water.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The consultant will be based in Kenya and may need to travel to relevant counties in Northern Kenya to access existing data. The consultant is responsible for arranging their own travel, including travel insurance. Payment will be based on the submission of agreed deliverables, and UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment if the deliverables do not meet the required standards. Interested applicants must submit a comprehensive CV along with a financial proposal that includes travel costs and daily subsistence allowance. Applications without a financial proposal will not be considered.