Transboundary Groundwater Expert

Result of Service• Deliverable 1: A report presenting findings from the hydrogeological desk review of the El Haul/Injana aquifer, along with inputs on challenges, priorities, and opportunities for an enhanced climate-resilient management (15 to 20 pages) • Deliverable 2: A report presenting findings from the hydrogeological desk review of the Hamad aquifer, along with inputs on challenges, priorities, and opportunities for an enhanced climate-resilient management (15 to 20 pages) • Deliverable 3: Presentation for input into a regional workshops on improved transboundary groundwater climate resilience. Work LocationRemotely Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: Transboundary water resources are very important in the Arab region, representing two-thirds of the region’s freshwater resources, with most countries depending on them for their water supply. There are 27 shared surface water basins in the region and 43 shared aquifers, with 15 out of the 22 Arab states riparian to a shared surface water basin, and all Arab states, except for Comoros, riparian to a shared aquifer. The need for transboundary cooperation for these shared waters is therefore highly important. Transboundary water cooperation is crucial because water resources are often interconnected, and actions in one country can significantly affect the water availability and quality in neighboring countries. With a high percentage of transboundary aquifers lacking cooperative transboundary arrangements in the Arab region, it is essential to establish and enhance cooperation arrangements outlining equitable allocation and collaborative management approaches under the increasing impacts of climate change. Although in recent years, some transboundary groundwater cooperation arrangements have been established in the Arab region, these need to be further developed and maintained to foster increased collaboration in the region. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) secured funding from the Government of Sweden under the “Climate Resilience through Regional Cooperation for Inclusive Sustainable Development” project to support activities on joint climate change assessments in transboundary aquifers. These assessments, intend to strengthen groundwater cooperation among Arab States through improving joint climate resilience in transboundary settings. Objective and methodology The primary objective of this consultancy is to support ESCWA and its member states in the assessments of impacts of climate change on transboundary groundwater resources to enhance resilience through collaboration. The consultant will perform hydrogeological desk studies on selected transboundary groundwater basins to inform enhanced transboundary aquifer management under a changing climate. Tasks - duties and responsibilities • Perform a hydrogeological desk review on el Haul/Injana aquifer shared between Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic, showing its extent, hydrogeological characteristics, recharge sources, uses, existence or lack of cooperation arrangements, outlook for potential cooperation, existing and recommended monitoring and data exchange and connectiveness across the border based on the Inventory of Shared Water Resources in Western Asia and other available sources; • Provide input on challenges, priorities, and opportunities for an enhanced climate resilient management of the Haul/Injana aquifer based on desk review of climate change impact assessment; • Perform a hydrogeological desk review on el Hamad aquifer shared between Iraq and Jordan, showing its extent, hydrogeological characteristics, recharge sources, uses, existence or lack of cooperation arrangements, outlook for potential cooperation, existing and recommended monitoring and data exchange and connectiveness across the border based on the Inventory of Shared Water Resources in Western Asia and other available sources; • Provide input on challenges, priorities, and opportunities for an enhanced climate resilient management of the Hamad aquifer based on desk review of climate change impact assessment; • Present study outputs at a regional workshop on improved transboundary groundwater climate resilience. Qualifications/special skillsMaster's degree or equivalent in groundwater resources management, or related field is required. PhD is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 10 years of experience in the areas of groundwater resources management and climate change assessments, including at least 5 years of experience working on transboundary water in the Arab region is required. LanguagesLanguages English 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). 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.