UN-Water Consultant

The consultant will undertake a comprehensive analytical and policy-oriented assessment of water valuation in Africa and develop a practical regional framework for implementation.

Home Based

5 months

Purpose: The purpose of this initiative is to accelerate progress toward SDG 6, while advancing the Africa Water Vision and Agenda 2063, by strengthening the recognition of water as natural capital and embedding its valuation in climate, economic, and development planning. Background: Achieving SDG 6, which calls for ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, remains one of Africa’s most urgent development priorities. Progress across key targets, particularly those related to water-use efficiency, integrated water resources management, and ecosystem protection, has been uneven and, in many cases, insufficient. Water is Africa’s most critical strategic resource, underpinning economic growth, food security, energy production, industrialisation, and climate resilience. Despite its centrality, water remains largely undervalued and under-integrated in economic systems, leading to underinvestment, inefficiencies and degradation across sectors. The Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy calls for a paradigm shift, recognising water as a strategic economic asset and embedding its value in economic planning, investment decisions, and financial systems. Currently, water’s contribution to GDP, employment, and productivity is not systematically captured, investment decisions often ignore water-related risks and returns. Water valuation tools are fragmented and not institutionalised. This undervaluation has far-reaching implications. It leads to inefficient allocation and use of water resources, weak integration of water into climate and economic planning, and degradation of water-related ecosystems. It also contributes to chronic underinvestment in water infrastructure and nature-based solutions. In practical terms, Africa cannot achieve SDG 6 or realize its broader development and climate ambitions without fundamentally redefining how water is valued and incorporated into decision-making processes. The absence of robust water valuation systems limits the ability of governments, private sector, businesses and other water users to prioritise efficient and sustainable use, water investments, and mobilise financing at scale. This African Water Valuation Initiative aimed at the operationalising the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy under the First Implementation Plan (2026–2033) responds to this challenge by transforming water valuation into a driver of investment, policy reform, and economic transformation, consistent with Agenda 2063 and sustainable development Goal 6 of the 2030 Agenda. The initiative seeks to strengthen the integration of water valuation into public policy, investment decision-making, macroeconomic frameworks, and climate resilience strategies in order to promote sustainable water management, unlock green growth opportunities, mobilise investments, enhance climate resilience, and support inclusive economic transformation and job creation across the continent. Responsibilities The consultant will undertake a comprehensive assessment of water valuation practices and analyze their contribution to improving water-use efficiency, strengthening integrated water resources management, and protecting ecosystems. The consultant will review the extent to which water is integrated into national development plans, climate policies, and green economy strategies. This will include identifying the economic implications of undervaluing water and the opportunities for improving policy coherence. A key task will be to map existing valuation methodologies and identify best practices as well as gaps in implementation across African countries. The consultant will also develop a regional framework for water valuation. This framework will position water as natural capital and provide practical guidance for integrating valuation into policy, planning, and investment decisions. It will include methodologies, institutional arrangements, data requirements, and an implementation roadmap. Stakeholder engagement will be an essential component of the assignment. The consultant will work with the African Union, AMCOW, regional economic communities, and national ministries to validate findings and build consensus around the proposed framework. Expected outputs: 1. Inception Report : Detailed methodology, work plan, analytical framework, stakeholder engagement strategy, and implementation schedule. 2. Regional Assessment Report: Comprehensive assessment of water valuation practices, challenges, opportunities, and policy gaps across Africa, including case studies highlighting experiences and emerging practices from selected countries, together with a draft framework, implementation roadmap, and policy recommendations. 3. Stakeholder Consultation Summary Report :Documentation of consultations, validation processes, and stakeholder inputs 4. Final Framework for Water Valuation in Africa and an Executive Policy Brief A practical framework translating the assessment findings into a coherent approach for water valuation across Africa, supported by an implementation roadmap and strategic policy recommendations to guide adoption and application at national and regional levels incorporating stakeholder and institutional feedback . A concise summary of key findings, strategic recommendations, and priority actions for policymakers consolidated into a short policy brief also produced.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in water Economics, Environmental Economics, Water Resources Management, Natural Resource Economics, Climate Policy, Sustainable Development, or a related field is required; • Demonstrated expertise in water valuation methodologies, ecosystem services valuation, natural capital accounting, and SDG 6 implementation is required; • Strong knowledge of African policy frameworks, including the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy, Agenda 2063, and continental climate and development frameworks is required; • Proven experience in conducting regional analytical studies and developing policy frameworks is required; • Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultation processes at regional or continental level is required; • Strong knowledge of African policy frameworks, including the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy, Agenda 2063, and continental climate and development frameworks is required;

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, English is required. Knowledge of French would be an added advantage.

Not available.