National Expert on Groundwater (Hydrogeology) - Viet Nam

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector: Natural Sciences Unit, UNESCO Country Office in Viet Nam 

Duty Station: Hanoi, Viet Nam

Type of contract: Non-staff

Duration of contract: 11 months (with the possibility of extension of 4-7 months, subject to performance and project needs)

Recruitment open to: Vietnamese National only

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time): 06 JUNE 2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

DESCRIPTION OF THE POST

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 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.

Long Description

The activities proposed herewith are a direct contribution to the achievement of such outcomes, mostly through the UNESCO-led Component 1 "Joint science-based diagnostic for groundwater dynamics (recharge and extraction) and effects on ecosystems (e.g. fish, wetlands) and livelihoods", and Component 3 "Transboundary cooperation mechanisms". Under component 1, UNESCO-IHP is tasked to perform a joint transboundary assessment of the hydrological state of groundwater resources, recharge and extraction dynamics (Output 1.1). These scientific assessment activities will constitute the basis for the agreed Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) between the two beneficiary countries of Viet Nam and Cambodia. Such activities shall be developed in close collaboration with selected National Experts from the two beneficiary countries, and with the support of UNESCO National Offices in Hanoi and Phnom Penh.

UNESCO is looking for National expert on Groundwater (Hydrogeology) to undertake the assignment below 

II. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

Within the framework of the UNESCO-led component 1 on ″Joint science-based diagnostic for groundwater dynamics (recharge and extraction and effects on ecosystems (e.g. fish, wetlands) and livelihoods″ of the CMDA project, the Consultant will provide technical support for the following output:

Output 1.1: Assessment of current state of groundwater resources, recharge and extraction dynamics.

Under the overall responsibility of the Head of the UNESCO Hanoi 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 Hanoi Office, the consultant will perform the following tasks related to Viet Nam. 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.

Long Description

III. TASKS

1. Compile and analyze available up-to-date data and information on the Vietnamese side of the CMDA on (i) hydrogeology, (ii) mapping of recharge and discharge areas, (iii) current water-table levels, hydraulic heads, and (iv) groundwater quality (incl. arsenic and salinization), (v) exploitation and recharge dynamics, and identify trends for main drivers for groundwater exploitation and recharge (e.g. land use change, wetland management, agricultural water use). Identify data gaps in all these areas.
2. Compile and analyze available up-to-date data on land surface subsidence and salinity distribution in the study area on the Vietnamese side of the CMDA and assess the vertical and horizontal vulnerability and risk to seawater intrusion and to land-level lowering due to potential overexploitation of the aquifer system. Identify data gaps in all these areas.
3. Based on the data analysis carried out in Tasks 1 and 2, contribute technically to the preparation of an up-to-date conceptual model that describes the hydrogeological characteristics and properties of the Vietnamese side of the CMDA including main recharge and groundwater removal zones (and underlying processes). The conceptual model will be prepared in close cooperation with other Vietnamese and Cambodian national experts and institutions, international experts and scientific partners participating in the project.
4. Based on the analysis of the compiled data and information carried out in Tasks 1 and 2 and the up-to-date conceptual model developed in Task 3, contribute technically to a collaborative assessment of the Vietnamese side of the CMDA and its groundwater resources using state-of-the-art aquifer numerical assessment methods, aligned with existing model and tools, and in close cooperation with other Vietnamese and Cambodian national experts and institutions, international experts and scientific partners participating in the project.

5. Based on the outputs of the numerical assessment prepared in Task 4, develop detailed scenarios on groundwater flow, natural (and possible artificial) recharge, climate change and exploitation effects (i.e. depletion, groundwater quality, salinization and land subsidence) for the Vietnamese side of the CMDA, and in close cooperation with other Vietnamese and Cambodian national experts and institutions, international experts and scientific partners participating in the project.

6. Based on the compilation of the analyses and assessments carried out in Tasks 1 to 5, prepare a report summarizing the contribution to the TDA process for the Vietnamese side of the CMDA. A template for the TDA inputs will be provided by UNESCO.

Besides the main tasks described, the expert will be asked to participate in and provide inputs for internal and external meetings and workshop, as required. 

IV. CONTRACT DURATION

The contract duration is 11 months, with the possibility of an extension for an additional 4 to 7 months, subject to performance and project needs. The expert's total engagement shall not exceed 11 person-months across the entire contract period, including any extension. 

Payments will be made upon acceptance of UNESCO of the deliverables agreed with the expert. 

The expert may be required to undertake missions, in such case, the related expenses will be covered in accordance with the regulations of UNESCO and EU-UN cost norms in Viet Nam.

V. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• An advanced graduate degree (MSc.) in hydrogeology, water resource engineering/management, hydrology, or related environmental and engineering sciences

Professional Experiences & Skills

• At least 10 years of qualifying work and/or combined with research experience in the field of hydrogeological investigation and assessment, groundwater modelling development and/or groundwater management in the context of water resource management in Viet Nam;
• Experience working with ministries and government agencies at national and provincial levels on topics related to water resource management.
• Proven expertise in the use of GIS-based applications (e.g., ArcGIS, MapInfo), hydro-geology software (e.g., AquiferTest, AquaChem), and groundwater modeling tools (e.g., Visual MODFLOW, Groundwater Vista, GMS Aquaveo, FEFLOW) for effective groundwater management;
• Proficiency of office software applications particularly MS Excel, MS Word, MS Power Point;

Languagues

• Excellent language skills in English and Vietnamese (writing, speaking and reading);

VI. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD. in hydrogeology, water resource engineering/management, hydrology, or related environmental and engineering sciences;
• Extensive experience in developing groundwater models within the Mekong region, supported by a record of relevant project work
• 15 years or postdoctoral fellowship experience in the field of hydrogeology, and/or groundwater management in the context of water resource management in Viet Nam;
• Proven experience in the field of water resources management in the Mekong Delta region
• Previous experience working with transboundary aquifer projects, including specific projects related to hydrogeological investigations and groundwater assessment.
• Previous experience with UN projects in the field of hydrogeology, and/or groundwater management in the context of water resource management in Viet Nam.
• Previous experience in collaborating with international organizations, including working with Cambodian specialists on international projects is highly valued.

VII. COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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VIII. APPLICATION PROCESS

Short Description

• A technical proposal (5 pages maximum), including a description of your proposed approach and methodology to undertake the assignment; 

IX. SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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