OVERVIEW
Parent Sector: Natural Sciences Unit, UNESCO Hanoi Office
Duty Station: Hanoi, Vietnam
Type of contract: Non-staff
Duration of contract: 11 months (with the possibility of extension of 4-7 months, subject to performance and project needs)
Recruitment open to: Vietnamese National only
Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time): 06 JUNE 2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
DESCRIPTION OF THE POST
I. BACKGROUND
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;
3) Agreed improvements of transboundary cooperation improve aquifer transboundary governance;
4) 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; and
5) Implementation of project mechanisms for monitoring, improved stakeholder consultation, gender mainstreaming, dissemination, coordination and monitoring progress enhance long-term sustainability of achievements.
Long Description
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.
II. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY
Within the framework of the UNESCO-led component 1 on โณJoint science-based diagnostic for groundwater dynamics (recharge and extraction and effects on ecosystems (e.g. fish, wetlands) and livelihoodsโณ of the CMDA project, the Consultant will provide technical support for the following output:
Output 1.1: Assessment of current state of groundwater resources, recharge and extraction dynamics.
Under the overall responsibility of the Head of the UNESCO Hanoi Office, the technical supervision of CMDA regional coordinator with technical guidance and support from UNESCO Headquarters, the direct supervision of the Chief of the Natural Sciences Unit of UNESCO Hanoi Office, the consultant will perform the following tasks related to Viet Nam. The consultant shall work in close cooperation with other Vietnamese and Cambodian national experts and institutions, international experts and scientific partners participating in the project.
Long Description
III. TASKS
Review and analyze the institutional and legal framework and stakeholder setting (identifying possible gaps) related to groundwater resources in Viet Nam, with a focus on the Vietnamese side of the CMDA.
Based on the review and analysis carried out in Task 1, prepare an assessment on the governance and legal frameworks on the Vietnamese side of the CMDA enabling transboundary cooperation between the two riparian countries. This assessment will consider the results of the aquifer assessment on groundwater extraction, groundwater recharge, surface water use, land use change, groundwater dependent ecosystems and groundwater quality changes. The assessment will use the guidelines produced by UNESCO on the governance and the law of transboundary aquifers.
Based on the review and assessment carried out in Tasks 1 and 2, prepare a report summarizing the main governance and legal findings for the Vietnamese side of the CMDA to contribute to the TDA process. A template for the TDA inputs will be provided by UNESCO.
Besides the main tasks described, the expert will be asked to participate in and provide inputs for internal and external meetings and workshops, as required.
IV. CONTRACT DURATION
The contract duration is 11 months, with the possibility of an extension for an additional 4 to 7 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.
V. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
A advance graduate degree (Master's) in law with a desirable specialization in environmental law, or an advance graduate degree (Master's) in water resource management or related environmental sciences;Professional Experiences and Skills
At least 15 years of qualifying work and/or combined with research experience in the field of water governance and law, in the context of water resource management in Viet Nam; Extensive experience working with ministries, government agencies at national and provincial levels on the topics related to water resource management. Proficiency of office software applications particularly MS Excel, MS Word, MS Power Point;Languages
Excellent language skills in English and Vietnamese (writing, speaking and reading).VI. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
PhD. in law with a desirable specialization in environmental law, or PhD. in water resource management or any related environmental sciences; At least 20 years of qualifying work and/or combined with research experience in the field of water governance and law, in the context of water resource management in Viet Nam; Proven experience in the context of water resources management in the Mekong Delta region Previous experience with UN projects in the field of law and governance in the context of water resource management in Viet Nam. 15 years or more experience working with ministries, government agencies at national and provincial levels on the topics related to water resource management.VII. COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C)Communication (C)Innovation (C)Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)Planning and organizing (C)Results focus (C)Teamwork (C)Professionalism (C)
- For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
VIII. APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates should click on โApply Nowโ, 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: