Local recruitment: Lead Water Engineer (Hydrogeologist) - Retainer (Ethiopia nationals)

• Job categories: Engineering, Water Management
• Vacancy code: VA/2024/B5333/28904
• Department/office: AFR, ETMCO, Ethiopia MCO
• Duty station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Ethiopia
• Contract type: Local ICA Specialist
• Contract level: LICA Specialist-10
• Duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability’
• Application period: 18-Sep-2024 to 01-Oct-2024

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

 Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS ETMCO is recruiting for this position: Lead Water Engineer (Hydrogeologist) – Retainer based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply.   These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.


This is a local position, and is hence open to Ethiopian nationals only.

UNOPS strategy for Ethiopia Multi Country Office is aimed at providing support to the Government and people of Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti through the delivery of projects and services in line with the governments’ own priorities and under the UN Delivery as One initiative. The UNOPS Ethiopia Multi Country Office (ETMCO) has been established as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been appointed as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS ETMCO  is implementing and negotiating a number of projects in a range of sectors including infrastructure development, Procurement Support to Government Ministries and other UN agencies and HR support to UN agencies. The functional objective of UNOPS ETMCO is to deliver projects in an efficient and effective manner, to achieve the development outcomes sought by the Government of Ethiopia and the donor community, where capacity building is always considered and encouraged.
UNOPS-ETMCO undertakes a number of infrastructure projects across the Multi-Country Office.  The purpose of this role would be to provide advice where these projects require specialist hydrogeological input for groundwater investigation and development.

The Lead Water Engineer (Hydrogeologist)  will travel to any site in or around the countries under ETMCO as required and as UNDSS permits. The incumbent  shall be responsible for conducting groundwater study, geophysical survey, accuracy, interpretation, analysis of all data received, and supervision of bore drilling works, testing, and commissioning including preparation of all relevant and necessary reporting to the Senior Programme Manager. 

 Functional Responsibilities

The Lead Water Engineer (Hydrogeologist) will be responsible for the below tasks and responsibilities.

1. Groundwater Source Assessment
2. Drilling supervision
3. Knowledge management
4. Monitoring and Progress Control

Groundwater Source Assessment

• Responsible to conduct field survey using hydrological and geophysical investigation methods;
• Analyze hydrological and geophysical data from the field survey;
• Lead the detail ground water potential assessment and evaluations;
• Determine the potential for ground water recharge;
• Provide the required technical advice for the conduct of ground water quality and the suitability of water to the intended purposes;
• Define the preliminary well profile;
• Draw conclusions and recommendations on the suitability of the site for ground water, yield capacity, drilling methodology, casing requirements, etc.  

Drilling Supervision

• Carry out the site handover for drilling and confirm the location of the water points pursuant to the recommendation of the study;
• Supervise and monitor the drilling activities and ensure the required depth reached for collection of water;
• Design the casing and supervise the installation of the casings that include the screening and blinding portions;
• Supervise the testing processes and ensure the required yield of the well is achieved;
• Recommend the appropriate type of submersible pump pursuant to the yield and the required head for water supply;
• Responsible for the entire commissioning of the ground water development.   

Knowledge Management

• Deliver training on aquifer and groundwater extraction management. 
• Support the other relevant experts with the development of groundwater management strategies for inclusion in the master plans.
• Support the development of, and build capacity for, a groundwater information management system in the local area.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.
• Keep regular meetings with peer site engineers to benefit from each other experiences.

Monitoring and progress control

• A short monthly report on progress on monitoring system implementation, field-testing, and modeling.
• A report on field-testing of the aquifer.
• Monthly progress reports.

1. Groundwater Source Assessment
2. Drilling supervision
3. Knowledge management
4. Monitoring and Progress Control

1. Groundwater Source Assessment

• Responsible to conduct field survey using hydrological and geophysical investigation methods;
• Analyze hydrological and geophysical data from the field survey;
• Lead the detail ground water potential assessment and evaluations;
• Determine the potential for ground water recharge;
• Provide the required technical advice for the conduct of ground water quality and the suitability of water to the intended purposes;
• Define the preliminary well profile;
• Draw conclusions and recommendations on the suitability of the site for ground water, yield capacity, drilling methodology, casing requirements, etc.  

1. Drilling Supervision

• Carry out the site handover for drilling and confirm the location of the water points pursuant to the recommendation of the study;
• Supervise and monitor the drilling activities and ensure the required depth reached for collection of water;
• Design the casing and supervise the installation of the casings that include the screening and blinding portions;
• Supervise the testing processes and ensure the required yield of the well is achieved;
• Recommend the appropriate type of submersible pump pursuant to the yield and the required head for water supply;
• Responsible for the entire commissioning of the ground water development.   

1. Knowledge Management

• Deliver training on aquifer and groundwater extraction management. 
• Support the other relevant experts with the development of groundwater management strategies for inclusion in the master plans.
• Support the development of, and build capacity for, a groundwater information management system in the local area.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.
• Keep regular meetings with peer site engineers to benefit from each other experiences.

1. Monitoring and progress control

• A short monthly report on progress on monitoring system implementation, field-testing, and modeling.
• A report on field-testing of the aquifer.
• Monthly progress reports.

1. Groundwater Source Assessment
2. Drilling supervision
3. Knowledge management
4. Monitoring and Progress Control

1. Groundwater Source Assessment

• Responsible to conduct field survey using hydrological and geophysical investigation methods;
• Analyze hydrological and geophysical data from the field survey;
• Lead the detail ground water potential assessment and evaluations;
• Determine the potential for ground water recharge;
• Provide the required technical advice for the conduct of ground water quality and the suitability of water to the intended purposes;
• Define the preliminary well profile;
• Draw conclusions and recommendations on the suitability of the site for ground water, yield capacity, drilling methodology, casing requirements, etc.  

1. Drilling Supervision

• Carry out the site handover for drilling and confirm the location of the water points pursuant to the recommendation of the study;
• Supervise and monitor the drilling activities and ensure the required depth reached for collection of water;
• Design the casing and supervise the installation of the casings that include the screening and blinding portions;
• Supervise the testing processes and ensure the required yield of the well is achieved;
• Recommend the appropriate type of submersible pump pursuant to the yield and the required head for water supply;
• Responsible for the entire commissioning of the ground water development.   

1. Knowledge Management

• Deliver training on aquifer and groundwater extraction management. 
• Support the other relevant experts with the development of groundwater management strategies for inclusion in the master plans.
• Support the development of, and build capacity for, a groundwater information management system in the local area.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.
• Keep regular meetings with peer site engineers to benefit from each other experiences.

1. Monitoring and progress control

• A short monthly report on progress on monitoring system implementation, field-testing, and modeling.
• A report on field-testing of the aquifer.
• Monthly progress reports.

1. Groundwater Source Assessment
2. Drilling supervision
3. Knowledge management
4. Monitoring and Progress Control

1. Groundwater Source Assessment

• Responsible to conduct field survey using hydrological and geophysical investigation methods;
• Analyze hydrological and geophysical data from the field survey;
• Lead the detail ground water potential assessment and evaluations;
• Determine the potential for ground water recharge;
• Provide the required technical advice for the conduct of ground water quality and the suitability of water to the intended purposes;
• Define the preliminary well profile;
• Draw conclusions and recommendations on the suitability of the site for ground water, yield capacity, drilling methodology, casing requirements, etc.  

1. Drilling Supervision

• Carry out the site handover for drilling and confirm the location of the water points pursuant to the recommendation of the study;
• Supervise and monitor the drilling activities and ensure the required depth reached for collection of water;
• Design the casing and supervise the installation of the casings that include the screening and blinding portions;
• Supervise the testing processes and ensure the required yield of the well is achieved;
• Recommend the appropriate type of submersible pump pursuant to the yield and the required head for water supply;
• Responsible for the entire commissioning of the ground water development.   

1. Knowledge Management

• Deliver training on aquifer and groundwater extraction management. 
• Support the other relevant experts with the development of groundwater management strategies for inclusion in the master plans.
• Support the development of, and build capacity for, a groundwater information management system in the local area.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.
• Keep regular meetings with peer site engineers to benefit from each other experiences.

1. Monitoring and progress control

• A short monthly report on progress on monitoring system implementation, field-testing, and modeling.
• A report on field-testing of the aquifer.
• Monthly progress reports.

 Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree) in Groundwater, Hydrogeology, Geology, Water Engineering, Environmental Science, or related areas is required.
• A Bachelor’s Degree  (first level) in Groundwater, Hydrogeology, Geology, Water Engineering, Environmental Science, or related areas  in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience

• A minimum of five  (5) years experience experience in groundwater exploration, resource determination, and management is required. 
• At least two (2) years of experience in aquifer yield determination and groundwater flow modeling, with good experience in water well drilling technology is required.
• Experience in one of the following fields would be a significant asset: Implementation of field program for water network groundwater/aquifer modeling software, and capacity building, and experience in developing and presenting training materials

Language

• Fluency in written, spoken and reading English  is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

 Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: LICA/ICS -10 – Retainer
Contract duration:  One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability’
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

 Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

 Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete)  in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.