Consultant / Specialist in Flood Risk Assessment and Mapping - Libya

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Rabat

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Consultant

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 07-JAN-2025

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

BACKGROUND

In Libya, Dams play a crucial role in water management including collecting surface water and providing protection against flood risks. The country has built 18 dams distributed all over the country, with total storage capacity exceeding 350Mm3. These large infrastructures serve agricultural projects and bottled water factories, and they aim to provide drinking water to the major cities in Libya.

In September 2023, Storm Daniel unleased heavy rains on Libya’s northeastern coast causing the collapse of two dams upstream of the city port of Derna, namely Mansour and Derna Dams.  The floodwaters destroyed partially Derna city and its whole infrastructure.

In the aftermath of the flooding in Derna region, the French Republic granted funds to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as part of the urgent assistance to UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme in Libya, to provide technical support on the monitoring and maintenance of the Libyan Dams.

In this context, UNESCO Regional Office for the Maghreb will be launching a flood risk assessment and mapping in Libya.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Within the framework of the Science Sector of the UNESCO Multisectoral Bureau for the Maghreb region, under the authority of Director of Office, and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist of the Natural Sciences Sector, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Develop the map of flood risk prone areas in Libya based on the following: Characterize the areas prone to floods based on the geography, geology and geomorphology, hydrology and hydraulics, vegetation, land use, and historical analysis of the areas, Determine the hazard level (High, moderate, moderately low, and low) and its intensity (very high, high, moderate, moderately low, and low), Assess physical (susceptibility and exposure) and socio-economic vulnerability (quantitative and qualitative indicators) of the flood risk prone areas,۰ Perform hazard analysis including defining the strength of the floods and scenarios in the area where they will occur, and the affected infrastructure.
2. Develop stakeholders map to define all entities and institutions at sub-national and national level involved in flood risk assessment, monitoring, and management;
3. Integrate Libya in the African Flood and Drought Monitor platform;
4. Develop national and sub-national priority actions and intervention’s plans for flood protection in flood risks prone areas ;
5. Establish communication protocols to alert relevant authorities and communities in case of potential high flood risk and dam failures ;
6. Develop a model of a national Early Warning System for hydrometeorological risks based on the best existing model and accounting for available tools and data in Libya ;
7. Develop a cost-effective plan for flood preventive and mitigation measures including ecosystem-based approaches, Nature-based Solutions, etc ;
8. Participate in the online and in presence meeting (s) that will be organized by the Natural Sciences Sector team, as deemed necessary ;
9. Collaborate closely with the Natural Sciences Sector team, adhering to their guidance and all provided directives relevant to the duties and to the security clearance in Libya.

DELIVERABLES

DELIVERABLES

• Inception report defining the methodology and plan of work, and timeline.
• Maps of the flood risk prone areas defining/categorizing the level and intensity of risks. 
• Flood Impact Assessment Maps on cities including schools, health facilities, roads, etc.​
• Comprehensive framework of the national and sub-national priority actions and urgent intervention’s plans for flood protection, and their associated tools of implementation.
• Model of national Early Warning for hydrometeorological risks.
• Plan of flood preventive and mitigation measures in flood risks prone areas.  

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• A first engineering degree is required with post graduate degrees (MSc. and/or PhD) in hydrological modelling, flood risk assessment analysis and mapping, watershed quantification, risk management with a special focus on hydrometeorological hazards.

Work Experience

• A minimum of eight (8) to ten (10) years of professional experience in hydrology modelling, flood risk assessment, mapping and management, climate adaptation and mitigation measures.
• Good experience on the use of GIS and analysis tool for maps generation is required.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English is required.
• Knowledge of Arabic language is a plus.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Professional knowledge about, and direct experience in flood risk assessment and management.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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