OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background and Context

In the framework of the UNESCO Programme and Budget 2024-2025 (42 C/5), within Major Programme II (Natural Sciences), Output 3.SC2 “Water science, innovation, education, management, cooperation and governance bolstered for a water secure world in a changing environment” and in line with the Ninth Phase of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme’s activities, UNESCO is the Executing Agency of component 2 on “Management of Coastal Aquifers and Related Ecosystems” of the United Nations Environmental Programme/Global Environment Facility Child Project 2.1 “Mediterranean Coastal Zones: Water Security, Climate Resilience and Habitat Protection”, known as the MedProgramme (https://www.unep.org/unepmap/what-we-do/projects/MedProgramme). The ultimate outcome of UNESCO’s component of the MedProgramme is the increased resilience to climatic variability and change, and enhanced water security of coastal populations in the Mediterranean through improved sustainability of services provided by coastal aquifers and by groundwater-related coastal ecosystems.

The expected outputs for the beneficiary countries (Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lebanon, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco, and Tunisia) under the MedProgramme are as follows:
•    Output 2.1: Detailed assessments of the current state of priority coastal aquifers and related coastal ecosystems, vulnerability maps and recommendations for land use planning addressing relevant stakeholders, including private sector, national and local water associations and water users.
•    Output 2.2: National dialogues identifying potential conjunctive management solutions, including stakeholders’ training modules designed and implemented.
•    Output 2.3: National assessments of submarine groundwater discharges and of marine – freshwater interactions.
•    Output 2.4: Priority aquifers coastal management plans and monitoring multi-purpose networks and protocols.
•    Output 2.5: Facilitation of broader adoption of approaches promoted by the project with attention on long term sustainability and engagement of private sector, national and local water associationss and water users.

Within this context, the Section on Groundwater Sustainability and Water Cooperation, within the Division of Water Sciences, Natural Sciences Sector of UNESCO, is seeking for a Technical Advisor to provide technical support for the above-mentioned outputs, in collaboration with the country focal points, experts, GEF focal points, partners and various stakeholders.

Long Description

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall responsibility of the Director of the Division of Water Sciences, the overall supervision of the Chief of the Section of Groundwater Sustainability and Water Cooperation, and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist in charge of Groundwater and Water Cooperation, the Technical Advisor will contribute to the implementation of the UNESCO component on “Management of Coastal Aquifers and Related Ecosystems” of the GEF/UNEP MedProgramme Child Project 2.1 “Mediterranean Coastal Zones: Water Security, Climate Resilience and Habitat Protection”.

The assignment implies a technical and advisory role and it is expected that the incumbent will bring critical inputs to the MedProgramme by assuming senior level responsibilities, in particular s/he will provide analysis on complex issues and, where needed, will develop new methodologies.

In particular, the Technical Advisor will provide technical support in line with the following:

1)    Provide technical inputs for the preparation and execution of coordination meetings with the country focal points of the MedProgramme. This will include up to 6 meetings per year for each of the country focal points (up to 36 meetings in total) and will require the preparation of the agenda, leading the technical discussions and preparation of minutes of the meetings.

2)    Provide technical inputs for the quarterly report to the donor (4 reports on the MedProgramme official template, for a total of around 3000 words per report) and to the annual Project Implementation Report (PIR, for a total of 5000 words per report).

3)    Provide technical inputs for the preparation of the background documents for the Annual Stocktaking Meeting of the MedProgramme (Q1/2 2024). This meeting will present a summary of the activities done and discuss the upcoming activities. For this meeting, the consultant will, among others, (1) provide inputs for the concept note, (2) prepare a PowerPoint presentation highlighting UNESCO achievements and (3) draft a report of the meeting.

Long Description

4)    Provide technical inputs for the preparation of the background documents for the Steering Committee Meeting of Child project 2.1, which will take place in the second quarter of 2024. For this meeting, the consultant will, among others, (1) prepare inputs for the concept note, (2) prepare a PowerPoint presentation, (3) prepare the annual workplan for 2024-2025 and (4) draft a report of the meeting.

5)    Provide inputs for the organization of the 3rd Coordination Meeting of UNESCO’s component 2 of Child Project 2.1 of the MedProgramme, which is expected to take place in 3rd quarter of 2024. For this meeting, the consultant will (1) prepare a list of participants, (2) prepare a concept note and a draft agenda, (3) prepare at least 2 PowerPoint presentations, and (4) draft a report of the meeting. The tasks will also include the moderation of one session.

6)    Provide inputs for the organization of the Technical Workshop on Coastal Aquifers: submarine Groundwater Discharge and Marine/freshwater interactions, which is expected to take place in third or fourth quarter of 2024. For this meeting, the consultant will (1) prepare a list of participants, a concept note, a draft agenda, (2) prepare PowerPoint presentations, (3) draft a report of the meeting and (4) revise and comment on at least 10 abstracts. The tasks will also include the moderation of one session.

7)    Review and provide inputs for the national reports produced by the national consultants and partner institutions implementing the MedProgramme activities related to:
a.    Output 2.1 – Assessments of the current state of priority coastal aquifers and related coastal ecosystems). Up to 6 Reports
b.    Output 2.2 – National Dialogues identifying potential conjunctive management solutions, including stakeholders’ training modules designed and implemented. Up to 6 Reports
c.    Output 2.3 – (National Assessments of Submarine Groundwater Discharges and of Marine – Freshwater Interactions). Up to 6 Reports

This will include the review of intermediate and final reports, maps and relevant information and data.

8)    On the basis of the national reports as per point 7) above, prepare the following:
a.    Publication on assessment of coastal aquifers in the Mediterranean Region. Up to 50 Pages
b.    Publication on assessment of Submarine Groundwater Discharges in the Mediterranean Region. Up to 50 Pages
For each publication listed above, the consultant will prepare the Table of Contents, the 1st draft and the final draft addressing the comments from UNESCO.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The consultant should have the following qualifications:

•    Master’s degree in Water Sciences, Water Management, Hydrogeology, Environmental Sciences or related fields; a PhD in these fields would be considered as an asset;
•    At least 10 years of relevant experience in the area of Water Sciences, with a focus on assessment, management and governance of aquifers, including in transboundary context;
•    Proven understanding of issues related to aquifers and transboundary aquifers; experience on coastal aquifers and geographical focus on the Mediterranean would be considered as an asset;
•    Demonstrated experience in providing technical assistance to countries;
•    Demonstrated track record of publishing high-quality reports and articles in topics related to water and/or environmental sciences;
•    Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders such as government officials, national academics, technical staff from multilateral/bilateral organizations…;
•    Excellent communication, coordination, and interpersonal skills;
•    Strong analytical and quantitative skills;
•    Excellent command in written and spoken English and good knowledge of French;
•    Computer skills: advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word).