National Expert on Groundwater Monitoring – 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 3 “Transboundary cooperation mechanisms”. Under component 3, UNESCO-IHP is tasked to prepare a Harmonized design of groundwater monitoring networks and protocols (Output 3.1) and develop an Agreement on groundwater data exchange mechanisms and procedures (Output 3.2). Such activities shall be developed in close collaboration with 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 3 on Transboundary Cooperation Mechanisms of the CMDA project, the Consultant will provide technical support for the following outputs:

Output 3.1: Harmonized design of groundwater monitoring networks and protocols.
Output 3.2: Agreement on groundwater data exchange mechanisms and procedures.

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.    Collect and analyze available data and information (identifying data gaps) and prepare an initial assessment of existing groundwater monitoring networks (piezometers and wells) and their performance (status) and aquifer system compaction monitoring networks on the Cambodian side of the CMDA. This activity may include, if necessary,  field missions and interviews with relevant stakeholders to assess the status of the piezometers and wells. The information will be compiled in a GIS-based map. (Output 3.1)

2.    Based on the analysis of existing monitoring data and information carried out in Task 1, prepare a proposal for the design of a multi-purpose joint monitoring network across the two country segments of the aquifer (focusing on the Cambodian side of the CMDA) including a monitoring network plan for piezometric level, land subsidence, salinization and shallow-deep aquifer-system compaction. The proposal will include harmonized information about positioning, analytical methodologies, instrumentation, data transmission, collection and custodian protocols. (Output 3.1)

3.    Develop harmonized protocols for groundwater monitoring including data collection on groundwater extraction rates and quality, meteorological and hydro(geo) logical data, aquifer recharge, and wetland condition for the Cambodian side of the CMDA. The protocols will be validated by JTCs and approved by NPMU. (Output 3.1)

4.    Develop a comparative analysis and assessment of available groundwater networks data and identification of parameters (quantity and quality) to be collected by the new multi-purpose monitoring networks shared by the two countries (focusing on the Cambodian side of the CMDA). (Output 3.2)

5.    Contribute to the collaborative definition and harmonization of the parameters to be monitored as proposed in the monitoring protocols developed in Output 3.1 to inform the development of a data sharing protocol (MoU) between the two countries (focusing on the Cambodian side of the CMDA). (Output 3.2)

6.    Contribute to the collaborative identification of the benefits of data sharing and the role of government agencies in jointly managing the data sharing mechanism (focusing on the Cambodian side of the CMDA). (Output 3.2)

7.    Share/transfer capacity, experience, and skills on ground water monitor and modeling to government staff and require for capacity development

8.    Provide/share work plan and regular report to NPMU

9.    Perform other duties as on request and require to support the NPMU

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 or engineering sciences

Professional experience
•    At least 10 years of qualifying work and/or combined with research experience in the field of groundwater monitoring, 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
•    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 experience and qualifying work and/or combined with research experience in the field of groundwater monitoring, groundwater management in the context of water resource management in Cambodia
•    Experience working with the UN, and knowledge of UN regulations and guidelines

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.