Hydrogeology Advisor

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.

The Hydrogeology Advisor operates within the UNOPS Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) framework, supporting the design, construction, and management of hydraulic and sanitation infrastructures. This role is critical for providing remote technical guidance on design requirements, developing basin plans, and implementing water management strategies. The specialist will independently manage projects and programs related to hydrogeological components, ensuring sustainable environmental resource management, particularly for underground water resources, in targeted regions.

The Hydrogeology Advisor acts as a seasoned professional who independently manages projects and programs related to hydrogeology, adapting existing policies and approaches to meet emerging needs in water resource management. Reporting to the Senior Project Manager, the candidate provides authoritative technical advice and design support, supervises junior professional personnel, and solves complex problems by applying existing rules and best practices in hydrogeology and applied geology. The specialist is responsible for a specific portfolio of work, ensuring reliable service delivery and contributing to the development and implementation of sustainable water management strategies.

1. Technical Expertise

• Provide specialist technical advice and design support in hydrogeology and applied geology.
• Guide the team in resolving geological, hydrogeological, and geomorphological challenges.
• Support sustainable environmental resource management, particularly groundwater resources.
• Contribute to decision-support systems for optimal allocation and conservation of natural resources.

2. Monitoring and Reporting

• Actively engage with the WASH team and all relevant stakeholders on data collection and modeling.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of implementation plan progress.
• Prepare and submit to the Senior Project Manager, as requested, reports summarizing the progress of tasks, risks, issues, and any other pertinent information.
• Work closely with the Senior Project Manager in responding to emerging project needs.

3. Knowledge Sharing and Knowledge Building

• Coach and train project personnel in the modelling of dominant hydrogeological processes for design and/or planning/monitoring purposes.
• Ensure the highest standards of knowledge management, including quality assurance and complete archiving of work.
• Contribute to the implementation phase of projects by highlighting challenges and providing feedback to support continuous improvement.
• Provide training and facilitate knowledge transfer to UNOPS and stakeholder personnel.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and organizational knowledge building.

4. Personnel Management

• Assist the Senior Project Manager from a technical perspective in delivering projects that include hydrogeological components.
• Assist the Project Executive in coordinating the technical work of the team, providing technical supervision and coaching during the implementation phase.
• Support the attraction, retention, and development of personnel with the skills and competencies required to ensure optimum performance, providing guidance to enable responsible, effective, and efficient performance.
• Ensure that the principles of human rights, gender equity, peace, voice, accountability, "do no harm," and aid effectiveness are integrated into all activities.
• Create, foster, and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation and abuse.
• Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with UNOPS protection mechanisms, policies, standards, and commitments.

Required

• Master's degree or equivalent with 7 years of relevant experience on the subject.

Desired

• Ph.D./Doctorate/Post Doctorate with 7 years of relevant experience.

Required

• A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in groundwater modelling in the engineering sector, including experience in statistical methods, numerical methods, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related geoservices, statistics applied to environmental engineering, contaminant modelling, and remediation methods

Desired

• Experience in risk assessment of water systems.

• Experience in teaching, conducting applied research, and/or capacity building in the hydrogeological or applied geology sectors.

• Author or co-author of articles published in international journals or proceedings of international conferences in the hydrogeological or applied geology sectors.
  
  

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.