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Seeks a National Consultant on Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GWDE) in, Vietnam. Requires a graduate degree in relevant disciplines and at least 10 years of experience in biodiversity and ecosystem assessment, particularly in the Mekong Delta region. Vietnamese and English language skills required. No international recruitment indicated.
Last checked: 2 hours ago
Closing date: Thursday, 11 June 2026
Country: Viet Nam
Duty station: Hanoi, Viet Nam
Contract type: Consultant Contract
Grade: Level 3 - Senior
Applicant eligibility: Local / national only
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Type of contract : Consultant Contract
Level : Level 3 - Senior
Hiring Unit : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)
Duty Station : Hanoi
Work location : Remote
Duration of contract : 7 months
Hiring open to : External candidates
Application deadline (Extension - Midnight Ha Noi UTC+7 Time) : 11/06/2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
The lower section of the Mekong River Basin is underlain by a major transboundary aquifer system, shared by Cambodia and Viet Nam, the Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Aquifer (CMDA). This transboundary aquifer connects two ecosystems of global environmental significance and socio-economic importance, namely the Tonle Sap area and the Mekong Delta, and includes major urban areas, including the cities of Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh. Around 35 million people live in the CMDA recharge zone, and the vast majority of households depend on groundwater for drinking or for irrigation. However, groundwater management is hindered by over-extraction, loss of recharge zones, climate change, pollution, salinity intrusion and land subsidence. In this context, transboundary solutions are paramount to address the mounting challenges.
UNESCO is an Executing Agency for the project "Enhancing sustainability of the Transboundary Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Aquifer", funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), implemented by The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Within the umbrella of the project, and as defined in the UN to UN Transfer Agreement, UNESCO's activities expect to contribute to the following outcomes:
1.Consensus among countries on key transboundary and national concerns affecting the aquifer, reached through joint fact finding, opening pathways to concerted remedial actions;
2. Agreed improvements of transboundary cooperation improve aquifer transboundary governance;
3. Commitment reached among countries on implementing priority legal, institutional and policy reforms and investments for the protection and equitable utilization of the shared aquifer and its' dependent ecosystem;
5. Implementation of project mechanisms for monitoring, improved stakeholder consultation, gender mainstreaming, dissemination, coordination and monitoring progress enhance long-term sustainability of achievements.
The activities proposed herewith are a direct contribution to the achievement of such outcomes, mostly through the UNESCO-led Component 1 "Joint science-based diagnostic for groundwater dynamics (recharge and extraction) and effects on ecosystems (e.g. fish, wetlands) and livelihoods", and Component 3 "Transboundary cooperation mechanisms". Under component 1, UNESCO-IHP is tasked to perform a joint transboundary assessment of the hydrological state of groundwater resources, recharge and extraction dynamics (Output 1.1). These scientific assessment activities will constitute the basis for the agreed Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) between the two beneficiary countries of Viet Nam and Cambodia. Such activities shall be developed in close collaboration with selected National Experts from the two beneficiary countries, and with the support of UNESCO National Offices in Hanoi and Phnom Penh.
UNESCO Country Office in Vietnam is looking for national expert to undertake the assignment as below
The contract duration is 7 months, with the possibility of an extension for an additional 3 to 4 months, subject to performance and project needs. The expert's total engagement shall not exceed 11 person-months across the entire contract period, including any extension.
Payments will be made upon acceptance of UNESCO of the deliverables agreed with the expert.
The expert may be required to undertake missions, in such case, the related expenses will be covered in accordance with the regulations of UNESCO and EU-UN cost norms in Viet Nam.
EDUCATION
WORK EXPERIENCE
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
LANGUAGES
Excellent language skills in English and Vietnamese (writing, speaking and reading);
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now”, then download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information in English:
(Please note UNESCO cannot consider an incomplete proposal that does not include the following information requested)
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).
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