Remote Sensing & Hydrology Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a leading intergovernmental organization that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants alike. Established in 1951, IOM has grown to include 173 member states and operates in over 100 countries worldwide. The organization aims to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, addressing the challenges of migration and enhancing the understanding of migration issues. IOM's mission includes providing humanitarian assistance, supporting development initiatives, and fostering resilience in communities affected by migration and displacement.

Job Overview:
The Remote Sensing & Hydrology Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the Climate Resilience and Humanitarian Response component of the FCDO’s BRAVE Programme in Pakistan. This position focuses on providing specialized analytical, modeling, and technical advisory support to enhance groundwater assessment, flood forecasting, and integrated water resource management (IWRM). The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including government authorities and consortium partners, to strengthen the understanding of groundwater health and contribute to climate-resilient initiatives. The role requires a strong emphasis on utilizing remote sensing technologies and hydrological analyses to inform decision-making processes at provincial, district, and rural settlement levels, particularly in Sindh Province and areas vulnerable to hill torrents.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for conducting groundwater extraction and Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) feasibility assessments in Sindh Province. This includes performing water table depth analysis, topographic wetness index evaluations, drainage density assessments, hydraulic conductivity measurements, and other relevant analytical metrics. The consultant will undertake hydrological analyses at district and rural settlement levels using open-source satellite data and high-resolution drone imagery to support integrated water resource management and disaster risk reduction initiatives. Additionally, the consultant will support flood forecasting efforts in hill torrent-vulnerable areas by conducting surface runoff and hydrological modeling, contributing to impact-based forecasting and early warning systems. The consultant will also collaborate with District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) to enhance hazard monitoring and detection capabilities, develop remote sensing and hydrology curricula, and ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, accountability to affected populations, and disability inclusion across all assignments.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in Hydrology, Water Resources Engineering, Remote Sensing, GIS, Environmental Sciences, or a related field. A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in humanitarian response, development programming, and climate resilience initiatives is required. Demonstrated expertise in groundwater assessment, hydrological modeling, and remote sensing analysis is essential. Proven experience with satellite imagery, GIS-based multi-criteria analysis, and hydrological models is also necessary. Strong skills in research design, information management, data analysis, and report writing are expected, along with excellent communication, outreach, and stakeholder engagement abilities.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in a relevant field such as Hydrology, Water Resources Engineering, Remote Sensing, GIS, or Environmental Sciences is required for this position. This educational background is critical to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively analyze and manage water resources and related environmental challenges.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience. This experience should encompass work in humanitarian response, development programming, and climate resilience initiatives. Candidates should have a demonstrated track record in groundwater assessment, hydrological modeling, and remote sensing analysis, showcasing their ability to apply these skills in real-world scenarios. Experience working with satellite imagery and GIS-based multi-criteria analysis is also essential for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Urdu is required for this position, both oral and written. This linguistic capability is crucial for effective communication with stakeholders and for the preparation of reports and analyses. While English and Urdu are mandatory, proficiency in additional languages such as French and Spanish, which are IOM's official languages, is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's profile during the selection process.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy position is subject to funding confirmation and the candidate's medical fitness for appointment. IOM covers consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan, free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. However, consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accidents or illnesses. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including discrimination and harassment. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and only accepts applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system.