Consultant for Groundwater Access Facility (GAFA)

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories. Its mission is to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children, saving lives, defending rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. UNICEF operates with a workforce of thousands of employees dedicated to building a better world for every child, every day, and is committed to never giving up on this mission.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be responsible for conducting a pre-feasibility study and developing a roadmap for the establishment of a Groundwater Access Facility (GAFA) in the Sahel region. This role involves assessing the relevance of the GAFA initiative, identifying potential aquifers, conducting a SWOT analysis, and developing a governance framework for the initiative. The consultant will engage with stakeholders, including regional institutions and private sector partners, to ensure the initiative's success and sustainability. The work will focus on investment, data management, governance, and capacity strengthening, with the aim of identifying up to 50 project pipelines that can be developed in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of transboundary aquifers in the Sahel, including inventory and mapping of hydrogeological characteristics, groundwater utilization, and demand analysis.
• Analyze water demand trends and stakeholder engagement, including private sector involvement and ongoing initiatives.
• Develop criteria for sustainable groundwater resource management and identify critical interventions for effective utilization.
• Perform a SWOT analysis for the two most relevant aquifer zones identified, evaluating strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Conduct stakeholder consultations and review existing practices in groundwater management for various purposes.
• Develop a Theory of Change to demonstrate the impact of the GAFA initiative.
• Pre-identify a governance framework for the operationalization of GAFA, including institutional anchoring and strategic recommendations for sustainable management.
• Engage with research organizations and academia to inform the groundwater utilization framework and identify potential academic partners for GAFA implementation.
• Provide clear recommendations for the Technical Working Group to decide on the pertinency of the initiative and engage in subsequent phases.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree or equivalent experience in Civil, Water, or Environmental Engineering.
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in designing water investments in sub-Saharan Africa.
• At least 10 years of experience in underground water development.
• Proven experience in multi-use water management for land restoration, agriculture, livestock, industry, and domestic purposes.
• Experience in developing vulnerability assessments, feasibility studies, and investment-ready projects for aquifer systems.
• Strong skills in conducting consultations with regional institutions and facilitating meetings.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Civil, Water, or Environmental Engineering or a related field. Equivalent experience in relevant areas may also be considered.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 15 years of professional experience in the water sector, specifically in designing water investments in sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, candidates should have at least 10 years of experience focused on underground water development, demonstrating a deep understanding of the complexities involved in managing water resources in this region.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy role is not classified as a staff position under UNICEF's regulations, meaning that consultants will not receive benefits typically afforded to staff members, such as leave entitlements or medical insurance. The selected candidate will be responsible for ensuring their visa and health insurance are valid for the duration of the contract. Additionally, candidates must confirm their fully vaccinated status against COVID-19 with a WHO-endorsed vaccine before commencing the assignment, unless they are working remotely. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities.