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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Provide technical support process documentation of the ongoing MAR intervention supporting the Integrated Water Resource Management Approach.

Scope of Work:

Most Afghans depend on groundwater as their primary source of domestic / drinking water. Afghanistan has encountered a scarcity of surface water due to the unequal and spatial distribution of precipitation, poor integrated water resources management, low water storage infrastructure and fragmented institutional arrangements. This is further compounded by the fact that Afghanistan has for decades missed opportunities for development due to both internal and external conflicts. The country is covered by five river basins of which perennial rivers either flow marginally or extremely polluted. Most small rivers/streams are intermittent and only run for only 3-4 months during the wet season. Therefore, groundwater is a strategic storage, and plays a leading role for various purposes such as: domestic / drinking, irrigation, industries, and environmental security, while playing a buffering capacity against climate hazards such as droughts and if managed properly could also assist in mitigating some of the detrimental consequences of flooding.
UNICEF has been engaged in providing water services to the community mainly using the groundwater resources. While it is recognized that the use of groundwater for drinking is far less than those used for irrigation and other purposes; nevertheless, there are many instances where availability of groundwater for drinking has been badly impacted due to adverse impact of climate change and increased rate of withdrawal of ground water for irrigation. The crisis of lack of availability for drinking water in Kabul city is one of many such cases that may emerge if not tackled holistically. Water needs to be looked at resources in the same vein as any other naturally found mineral resources are seen. Hence it is imperative that there is need to look at the sustainability of water resources as many efforts are made to develop a robust water supply system to make the system environmentally sustainable. Recognizing the need for sustainability of water resources, UNICEF initiated piloting demonstration of ground water recharge to sustain the water system being developed in select three communities spread in three zones in 2024.
This initiative will provide learning for future initiative to strengthen the design and functionality of the existing water systems in future and contribute to environmental sustainability of water resources responding to depleting ground water adapting to climate change. The learning will also contribute to mobilizing resources from climate finance available for strengthening water resources and provide a practical way of strategic shift of water supply component of WASH programme from “pumps and pipes” to “community water security for drinking water”.
Accordingly, it is proposed to hire a consultant to carry out process documentation including baseline information and capturing key changes during the implementation of the ground water recharging project initiatives in three zones.
The proposed ToR seeks to request a suitably qualified expert in integrated water resource management to assist in strengthening monitoring of ground water and surface water including reporting and provide technical support to the ground water recharging through managed aquifer recharge intervention in three zones of the country The consultant is expected to undertake visits to project sites, document the interventions and also provide technical support to local community and institutions engaged in the process including capacity building of UNICEF staff of the related zones and share the experiences of lessons learnt to UNICEF WASH staff
It may be noted that currently there is lack of expertise in UNICEF WASH team in water resource management especially in MAR interventions and this consultancy will also build the capacity of UNICEF WASH staff.

KEY DELIBERABLES:

The following is a summary of the key deliverables:

• Status and plan of actions reports based on the field visits and relevant observations – 9 visit reports (3 visits of 3 days each to 3 locations in discussion with the supervisor)
• A technical report on the groundwater monitoring in the three sites with data analysis, systems developed, advocacy note and framework with capacity building plan.
• A process documentation report capturing details of the MAR intervention by UNICEF, ACO
• Report of orientation of UNICEF WASH Staff on tools and methodology of siting and implementation of MAR for sustainable water resources for drinking water system.

Four deliverables with 8 activity reports:

• May 2025 (2 reports)
• July 2025 (1 report)
• Sept 2025 (1 report)
• Oct 2025 (2 reports)
• Dec 2025 (1 report) and January 2026

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in  Hydrology, Hydrogeology, or related technical field.
• A minimum of Five of relevant professional work experience. 
• Experience in handling, analysing, and presenting hydrological and hydrogeological data using GIS.
• Good training Skills are an asset.
• Good programme management skills and ability to communicate and present both verbally and in written form to a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a transdisciplinary team and in general be a good team player.
• Fluency in English (verbal and written)is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

Interested candidates are required to apply online, indicating availability and all-inclusive lump sum fee (financial Proposal) to undertake the terms of reference.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.