About the Organization
UNOPS is a UN agency that provides project management, procurement, and infrastructure services, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. The Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees over 250 projects across 40 countries. The Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO), based in Addis Ababa, delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, focusing on health, agriculture, and economic development.
Job Summary
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.
Key Responsibilities
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.
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.
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.
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 Qualifications
Master’s degree or equivalent with 7 years of relevant experience on the subject.
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.
Required Skills and Competencies
Environmental Engineering
GIS Application
Hydrogeology
Risk Analysis
Water Resource Management