International Consultant

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level : Level 3 - Senior

Hiring Unit : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station : Nairobi

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 12 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+3 Time) : 14/08/2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW

The UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA) is implementing a growing portfolio of groundwater initiatives aimed at strengthening groundwater assessment, sustainable management, climate resilience, drought preparedness, and evidence-based decision-making across Africa and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). These initiatives require advanced hydrogeological modelling to improve the understanding of groundwater systems, support groundwater resource planning, assess the impacts of climate variability and change, and strengthen the scientific basis for groundwater governance.

To support these efforts, UNESCO seeks the services of a Senior International Hydrogeological Modelling Specialist to provide high-level technical expertise across multiple groundwater projects. The Consultant will lead the development, review and application of conceptual and numerical groundwater models, support groundwater forecasting and decision-support systems, provide technical quality assurance, and strengthen institutional capacities through technical mentoring, training and knowledge transfer. The consultancy will also provide technical advisory services to UNESCO and its partners on groundwater modelling methodologies and related scientific applications, ensuring the delivery of high-quality technical outputs across the Organization's groundwater portfolio.

Long Description

Groundwater is one of the world's most strategic freshwater resources, supporting domestic water supply, agriculture, industry, ecosystems and climate resilience. As pressures from climate change, population growth, urbanization and increasing water demand continue to intensify, there is an increasing need for robust scientific tools to improve groundwater assessment, forecasting and sustainable management.

Hydrogeological modelling provides an essential scientific framework for understanding groundwater flow systems, evaluating groundwater availability and quality, assessing the impacts of climate variability and change, forecasting groundwater behaviour under different management scenarios, and supporting evidence-based planning and investment decisions. These modelling tools also strengthen drought early warning systems, support integrated water resources management, and enhance long-term groundwater governance.

UNESCO is implementing multiple groundwater initiatives requiring advanced hydrogeological modelling support across different hydrogeological settings and levels of data availability. These initiatives involve the development and refinement of conceptual and numerical groundwater models, integration of hydrogeological, hydroclimatic, remote sensing and monitoring datasets, development of decision-support tools, and strengthening the technical capacities of national institutions and project partners.

To ensure consistency, scientific excellence and the application of international best practices across its groundwater portfolio, UNESCO requires the services of a Senior International Hydrogeological Modelling Specialist to provide strategic technical leadership, quality assurance, innovation and capacity development across multiple groundwater projects.

ASSIGNMENTS

1.0 Aims & Objectives

The overall objective of this consultancy is to provide high-level technical leadership and specialized expertise in hydrogeological modelling across UNESCO groundwater initiatives to strengthen groundwater assessment, groundwater resource planning, climate resilience, drought preparedness, and evidence-based decision-making through the development and application of innovative groundwater modelling tools and decision-support systems.

Long Description

2.0 Detailed Scope of Services

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA), and in close collaboration with UNESCO Headquarters, project partners and designated national counterparts, the Consultant shall provide high-level technical expertise and strategic scientific guidance in hydrogeological modelling across UNESCO groundwater initiatives.

Specifically, the Consultant shall:

• Lead the development, refinement and application of conceptual and numerical groundwater models across UNESCO groundwater initiatives to support sustainable groundwater management and climate resilience, including the integration of hydrogeological, hydroclimatic, hydrogeochemical, remote sensing and groundwater monitoring datasets, application of advanced modelling approaches, and the preparation of technical reports, modelling documentation and scientific recommendations.
• Develop, calibrate, validate and operationalize groundwater forecasting models, climate scenario analyses, Decision Support Systems (DSS) and Groundwater Early Warning Systems (EWS) to strengthen groundwater planning, drought preparedness and evidence-based decision-making, while supporting stakeholder engagement, technical capacity development, knowledge transfer, and strategic technical advice to UNESCO and project partners.

Long Description

3.0 Evaluation Criteria

The selection of the Consultant shall be undertaken in accordance with UNESCO's policies and procedures governing the recruitment of Individual Consultants and shall be based on the Best Value for Money (BVM) principle, whereby technical quality is accorded greater importance than financial considerations.

The evaluation shall comprise two stages:

• Technical Evaluation (70%)
• Financial Evaluation (30%)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum score of 49 points out of the maximum 70 points in the technical evaluation shall be considered technically qualified and proceed to the financial evaluation.

Long Description

4.0 Deliverables

The Consultant shall be responsible for delivering the following outputs throughout the duration of the consultancy.

Deliverable: Work Plans, Hydrogeological Modelling and Technical Deliverables

Prepare and submit detailed work plans for the assigned groundwater initiatives, including methodologies, implementation schedules and reporting timelines. Develop and apply conceptual and numerical groundwater models, groundwater forecasting tools, climate scenario analyses, Decision Support Systems (DSS) and Groundwater Early Warning Systems (EWS), and prepare the corresponding Model Development Reports, Application Reports, technical documentation, capacity-building materials and final technical reports. Support stakeholder engagement, technical meetings, validation workshops, field missions, technology transfer and technical recommendations to strengthen sustainable groundwater management and climate resilience.

Long Description

5.0 Reporting and Supervision

The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Head of the Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA), or his/her designated representative, and in close coordination with the respective UNESCO project managers and technical teams responsible for the assigned groundwater initiatives.

The Consultant shall prepare and submit all technical deliverables in accordance with the agreed work plan and implementation schedule. Regular progress updates shall be provided throughout the consultancy to ensure timely delivery of outputs, effective coordination with project partners, and incorporation of technical feedback where required.

All reports, modelling outputs, datasets, technical documentation, training materials and other products developed under this consultancy shall be submitted in electronic format and shall become the property of UNESCO. Any publications or dissemination of information arising from this consultancy shall require prior written authorization from UNESCO.

6.0 Timeline

The Consultant shall support a minimum of two (2) UNESCO groundwater initiatives during the contract period, namely the Ensuring a Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Water Supply in the Northern Part of Mauritius project and the Groundwater Drought Early Warning System (EWS) for Southern Madagascar (PBF) project. Additional groundwater initiatives may be assigned by UNESCO, where required, subject to the terms of this consultancy. The timeline for the expected deliverables is provided below. Project-specific implementation schedules shall be agreed with UNESCO at the commencement of each assignment.

CONTRACT DURATION

24 Months

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• PhD in Hydrogeology or a closely related discipline.

Mandatory Qualifications and Work Experience

• At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in groundwater studies and hydrogeological modelling.
• Demonstrated experience in the development and application of conceptual and numerical groundwater models.
• Proven experience in integrating hydrogeological and hydroclimatic data into groundwater modelling workflows.
• Research expertise in climate change and drought impacts on groundwater systems.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated experience in the development and application of conceptual and numerical groundwater models.
• Proven experience in integrating hydrogeological and hydroclimatic data into groundwater modelling workflows.
• Research expertise in climate change and drought impacts on groundwater systems.

LANGUAGES

• Fluent English and French..

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications should be sent to nairobi.recruitment@unesco.org

Long Description

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted.

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course.

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.