National Expert on Groundwater (Hydrogeology) – Cambodia (Phnom Penh, Cambodia) contract Full Time

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Unit, UNESCO Phnom Penh Office

Duty Station: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Type of contract : Non-staff

Duration of contract : 11 months

Recruitment open to : Cambodian National

Application Deadline : 18 April 2025 (Midnight Paris time)

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

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. 

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 AND SCOPE  OF THE CONSULTANCY

Within the framework of the UNESCO-led component 1 on ″Joint science-based diagnostic for groundwater dynamics (recharge and extraction and effects on ecosystems (e.g. fish, wetlands) and livelihoods″ 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 Phnom Penh 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 Phnom Penh Office, the consultant will perform the following tasks related to Cambodia. 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.

1.    Work closely with National PMU, government and relevant stakeholders to collect relevant data and information both primary and secondary data, qualitative and quantitative information.

2.    Compile and analyze available data and information on the Cambodian side of the CMDA on (i) hydrogeology, (ii) mapping of recharge and discharge areas, (iii) current water-table levels, hydraulic heads, and (iv) groundwater quality (incl. arsenic and salinization), (v) exploitation and recharge dynamics, and identify trends for main drivers for groundwater exploitation and recharge (e.g. land use change, wetland management, agricultural water use). Identify data gaps in all these areas.

3.    Compile and analyze available data on land surface subsidence and salinity distribution in the study area on the Cambodian side of the CMDA and assess the vertical and horizontal vulnerability and risk to seawater intrusion and to land-level lowering due to potential overexploitation of the aquifer system. Identify data gaps in all these areas.

4.    Based on the data analysis carried out in Tasks 1 and 2, contribute technically to the preparation of a conceptual model that describes the hydrogeological characteristics and properties of the Cambodian side of the CMDA including main recharge and groundwater removal zones (and underlying processes). The conceptual model will be prepared in close cooperation with other Vietnamese and Cambodian national experts and institutions, international experts and scientific partners participating in the project.

5.    Based on the analysis of the compiled data and information carried out in Tasks 1 and 2 and the conceptual model developed in Task 3, contribute technically to a collaborative assessment of the Cambodian side of the CMDA and its groundwater resources using state-of-the-art aquifer numerical assessment methods, aligned with existing model and tools already developed for the Vietnamese side of the CMDA, and in close cooperation with other Cambodian and Vietnamese national experts and institutions, international experts and scientific partners participating in the project.

6.    Based on the outputs of the numerical assessment prepared in Task 4, develop detailed scenarios on groundwater flow, natural (and possible artificial) recharge, climate change and exploitation effects (i.e. depletion, groundwater quality, salinization and land subsidence) for the Cambodian side of the CMDA, and in close cooperation with other Vietnamese and Cambodian national experts and institutions, international experts and scientific partners participating in the project.
 

7.    Based on the compilation of the analyses and assessments carried out in Tasks 1 to 5, prepare a report summarizing the contribution to the TDA process for the Cambodian side of the CMDA. A template for the TDA inputs will be provided by UNESCO.

8.    Provide/share work plan, regular progress reporting to NPMU and any other procedures including verification of the need of NPMU and for project implementation.

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.

III.    CONTRACT DURATION
The duration of the contract will be for a period of 11 months. The Consultant is expected to work full-time, with flexible working location. The Consultant may be required to undertake missions, and in such cases, the UNESCO Phnom Penh Office will provide support for the arrangements of missions as required.
IV.    DELIVERABLES
The National Consultant shall submit monthly progress reports to their supervisor(s) before each monthly payment on the tasks undertaken and accomplished in line with the above-mentioned responsibilities.

V.    REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education
•    A graduate degree (preferably a PhD) in hydrogeology, hydrology, water resource management or related environmental and engineering sciences
Professional experience
•    At least 5 years of qualifying work and/or combined with research experience in the field of hydrogeology, and/or groundwater management in the context of water resource management in Cambodia
•    Experience working with ministries, government agencies at national and provincial levels on the topics related to water resource management is an asset
•    Previous experience with UN projects is an asset

Skills and competencies
•    Proven skills in the use of GIS-based application and modelling tools in groundwater management 
•    Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills
•    Good knowledge and understanding of government functioning
•    Ability to take initiative, establish priorities and capacity to work efficiently under pressure
•    Comfortable with working in a multicultural workplace, ability to work in a team to achieve shared objectives
•    Proficiency of office software applications particularly MS Excel, MS Word, MS Power Point

Language Skills
•    Excellent language skills in English and Khmer (writing, speaking and reading).

VI.    DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
•    Strong experiences and qualifying work and/or combined with research experience in the field of hydrogeology, and/or groundwater management in the context of water resource management in Cambodia.
•    Experience working and networking with the government and Cambodian relevant stakeholders
 

HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates are kindly requested to click on “Apply Now”, then download and complete the Employment History Form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, the candidate must 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.)
1.    Curriculum Vitae or Resume 
2.    Technical proposal (3 pages maximum), including a description of your proposed approach and methodology for undertaking the assignment
3.    Financial proposal, indicating a monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a monthly rate will not be considered.
4.    The contact details of three referees
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS 
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.