TECHNICAL ADVISOR FOR GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AND WATER COOPERATION PROJECTS (Bangkok, Thailand) contract NEW

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 3 – Senior

Hiring Unit : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station : Bangkok

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 11 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+7 Time) : 31/05/2026

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

Background and Context

In the framework of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Programme and Budget 2026-2027 (43C/5), Major Programme II, Output 2.3.SC: “Knowledge generated, and Member States’ capacity for inclusive water resources management strengthened in a changing environment” and of IHP-IX “Science for a Water Secure World in a Changing Environment” (2022-2029), the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific (hereinafter called UNESCO Bangkok), in cooperation with the UNESCO Division of Water Sciences, is seeking for a senior hydrogeologist to provide technical support to a series of projects and activities. 

Under the overall authority of the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, and the direct supervision of the Regional Coordinator for Groundwater Cooperation and Climate Resilience, the consultant will provide technical support in line with the following:

1) Provide technical expertise to support the operationalization and implementation of UNESCO’s components under the GEF/FAO project “Enhancing Sustainability of the Transboundary Cambodia–Mekong River Delta Aquifer (CMDA)”:
a.    Provide technical guidance throughout the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) preparation process, ensuring coherence and alignment of inputs from national experts, institutions, and international partners. 
b.    Support the consolidation of contributions into a comprehensive and high-quality final TDA report, consistent with UNESCO’s vision and project objectives. 
c.    Develop concept notes, agendas/programmes, and summary reports for a minimum of five (5) technical coordination meetings and workshops under UNESCO-led components. 
d.    Prepare a concept note outlining the project’s knowledge management approach, including tools, processes, and outputs. 
e.    Document key findings, best practices, and lessons learned from knowledge exchange and capacity-building activities. 
f.    Develop a stakeholder engagement strategy and action plan to ensure inclusive, meaningful, and continuous participation of relevant stakeholders at national and local levels in both countries. The strategy should ensure balanced representation, with particular attention to engaging water users, civil society organizations, youth, and women’s groups in project activities and consultations.
2) Support to resources mobilization activities
a.    Prepare a revised project proposal for the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) to align it with GEF-IX priorities. This task will include a desk review of past results, reports and documentation and consultations with national partners and focal points. 
b.    Prepare, using the official GEF template, a Project Identification form for a coastal aquifer project in the Mediterranean region. This task will use, as an input, a previous concept note, the official GEF PIF template and the GEF-IX guidelines and priorities.
c.    Preparation of a concept note for a regional training course of groundwater assessment, management and governance and on conjunctive management in coastal aquifer setting.

3) Support for the preparation and execution of events in 2026.
a.    Preparation of a concept note, programme and Power Point Presentation for 5 sessions in international events taking place in 2026, with a focus on coastal aquifers in the mediterranean region.
4) Support to UNESCO component of GEF/UNEP MedProgramme
In the framework of UNESCO’s Component on “Management of Coastal Aquifers and Related Ecosystems” under the GEF/UNEP MedProgramme Child Project 2.1, provide technical support to the preparation of the results of the project for dissemination among beneficiary countries, which will include:
a. Executive summary of technical publications integrating results from UNESCO’s led research work on Groundwater-dependent Ecosystems (GDE) (output 2.1) and Submarine Groundwater Discharges (SGD) (output 2.3) 
b. A communication and outreach plan to disseminate the results of UNESCO’s component on coastal aquifers identifying key target groups, key events in 2026 and 2027, key messages and impact. 

In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the incumbent is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

Location and Travel:
The Individual Specialist will be home-based and work remotely from any location. They must be available for virtual meetings with the team during office hours in Bangkok, Thailand (UTC+7).

The performance period is eleven months, from June 2026. (tentative) 

Submit the following deliverables to UNESCO for its approval by the end of the contract:
1.    Review of project documentation (TDA Programme, etc.), detailed workplan, and initial technical inputs to ongoing processes by 30 June 2026
2.    Report on monthly technical support to project activities, including provision of technical inputs, contributions to coordination processes, preparation of documentation, and participation in relevant meetings by 30 July 2026
3.    Report on monthly technical support to project activities, including provision of technical inputs, contributions to coordination processes, preparation of documentation, and participation in relevant meetings by 30 August 2026
4.    Report on monthly technical support to project activities, including provision of technical inputs, contributions to coordination processes, preparation of documentation, and participation in relevant meetings by 30 September 2026
5.    Report on monthly technical support to project activities, including provision of technical inputs, contributions to coordination processes, preparation of documentation, and participation in relevant meetings by 30 October 2026
6.    Report on monthly technical support to project activities, including provision of technical inputs, contributions to coordination processes, preparation of documentation, and participation in relevant meetings by 30 November 2026
7.    Report on monthly technical support to project activities, including provision of technical inputs, contributions to coordination processes, preparation of documentation, and participation in relevant meetings by 30 December 2026
8.    Report on monthly technical support to project activities, including provision of technical inputs, contributions to coordination processes, preparation of documentation, and participation in relevant meetings by 30 January 2027

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

EDUCATION

•    An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent and above) in Water Sciences, Water Management, Hydrogeology, Environmental Sciences or related fields. A PhD in the same areas is considered an asset.

WORK EXPERIENCE

•    Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in Water Sciences, focusing on the assessment, management, and governance of aquifers, including conjunctive water management and transboundary contexts.
•    Previous work experience with GEF projects, groundwater and a geographical focus on the Mekong region  and the Mediterranean region.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

•    Proven ability to plan and organize effectively and manage multiple deadlines.
•    Proven ability to work efficiently in a dynamic and multicultural team environment.
•    Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills.
•    Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word), proficiency working with communication tools (Microsoft Teams and Zoom).

LANGUAGES

•    Excellent proficiency of English in writing and speaking.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

•    Demonstrated previous experience providing technical assistance to national stakeholders, including government officials, national academics, and technical staff from multilateral/bilateral organizations.
•    Previous experience and a good knowledge of the UN system is an asset.  

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in ‘Employment History Form / My Documents’. Before uploading the document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information one combined file: 

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV): An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum 2 pages) stating details of educational qualifications, work experience including prior experience of similar
2. a statement indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment;
3. Technical proposal: Short Approach and Methodology to the consultancy (maximum 3 pages) identifying the specific components of the TOR and how the intended objectives and/or deliverables shall be addressed, detailing progress, and timeline.
4. Financial proposal in US dollars with a budget breakdown.

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization the best value for money.

Application should be done through careers.unesco.org only. In case you are unable to attach the required documents in the system, please inform us at hr.bgk@unesco.org

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Assessment
•    Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered.
•    Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.