Hydrology Specialist-Retainer, Multiple positions

Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMCO sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and South Africa. This includes primarily transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and several island states.

KEMC has its own Technical and Design Services Unit (TSU) which comprises a core group of technical staff supplemented by experts employed on a retainer basis.  The group conducts feasibility studies and assessments and engages in design and monitoring work.  The core group’s skills include Civil, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Architects, Design Associates and Quantity Surveyors.  Senior Civil Engineer-Retainer will provide additional capacity in core disciplines as well as GIS and sector specific expertise (roads, healthcare, heritage etc).


UNOPS undertakes a number of infrastructure projects in the Africa region.  The purpose of this role would be to provide hydrological inputs where required, including undertaking hydrological studies to determine design flows as input to design of drainage networks and structures such as roads, dams and bridges.  S/he will be expected to use specialist computer modelling and statistical applications and techniques to compute run offs and forecast peak flow so that structures can be adequately sized.

The consultant will be prepared to travel to any site in or around the countries under KEMC as required and as UNDSS permits (including but not limited to Kenya, Angola, Botswana, Eritrea, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe).

• Analyse catchments, rainfall data, flood estimations, and other hydraulic and hydrological data to inform outputs for designers

• Conduct field visits to sites, where applicable

• Carry out inventory and condition surveys of existing drainage structures

• Compile reports on hydrological impacts

• Prepare drawings and maps

• Handle additional assignments as directed by Project Managers;

• Respond to comments from stakeholders, including UNOPS design review team

Capacity Building;

• Provide technical support to projects as required;

• Carry out training and capacity building on hydrology tools and frameworks, especially for new staff in the UNOPS Offices, governments and other potential implementing partners

Impact of Results 

• High quality analysis and reporting 

• Bachelor’s degree in hydrology, geography, civil engineering, environmental science or related areas is required.

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent in hydrology, geography, civil engineering, environmental science or related area is an added advantage

• Minimum 7 years of demonstrable relevant experience in design and analysis of waterways, drainage structures and hydrology is required

• Minimum of 2 years work experience in Africa is required

• Candidates with experience working on rural infrastructure projects will be preferred.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.