Senior Expert on Groundwater and Climate Resilience in the Arab Region

Result of Service- Groundwater Governance Assessment Methodology in the Arab region - Review assessment of groundwater governance regime in Morocco and final Groundwater Governance Assessment Methodology in the Arab region Work LocationRemotely Expected duration5 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground The Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) was launched to address the growing challenges of water and food security in the Middle East and North Africa region. The initiative led by FAO-RNE is a comprehensive program designed to enhance the sustainable management of water resources while promoting food security in one of the most water-scarce regions in the world. The initiative’s work supports national governments, institutions, and stakeholders by providing scientific research, policy guidance, and technical assistance. Duties and responsibilities Under the supervision of the Senior Sustainable Development Officer for Water and the overall supervision of the Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability Cluster Lead, the consultant would: • Prepare Groundwater Governance Assessment Methodology in the Arab region to provide a structured framework for evaluating governance structures, policy frameworks, and institutional capacities in the Arab region. o The role groundwater plays in sustaining the agro-socio-economic development, o The scientific knowledge of groundwater resources: status, dynamics and interactions between surface water and groundwater; groundwater information and monitoring systems o Assess institutional and legal frameworks, identifying governance gaps and evaluating regulatory enforcement mechanisms. o Include mapping of stakeholders and their engagement strategies, ensuring the participation of government agencies, water user associations, and local communities in decision-making processes (legal, regulatory, customary framework; level of knowledge, awareness and transparency), o Analyze groundwater monitoring systems, promote data transparency and the integration of real-time tools such as water metering, o Outline models for co-management of groundwater resources, defining participatory decision-making mechanisms and conflict resolution strategies, o Review economic and regulatory instruments, such as water pricing and use permits, to encourage responsible groundwater use, o Incorporate capacity-building programs and awareness-raising initiatives to strengthen governance capacities at all levels, o The benefits and costs of groundwater development. • Follow up and meet with Groundwater Governance Study Team • Attend inception meetings for Moroccan Stakeholders (In Person/ Virtually) • Guide (In Person/ Virtually) national team work on using the Groundwater Governance Assessment Methodology to assess a national aquifer basin in Morocco • Review and finalize Groundwater Governance Assessment Methodology based on application in a selected aquifer in Morocco Qualifications/special skillsMaster’s degree or equivalent in water resources management, natural resources management, agriculture or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. minimum of 10 years of experience in the areas of water resources management, including at least 7 years of experience working on groundwater, and climate change issues is required. Demonstrated experience working or conducting research is desirable. Strong writing and communication skills is required. Knowledge of MS Word and PowerPoint is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Note: \"Fluency\" equals a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and \"Knowledge of\" equals a rating of 'confident' in two of the four areas. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.