International Expert on Water Governance and Water Law (Bangkok, Thailand) contract

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 2 – Middle

Hiring Unit : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station : Bangkok

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 8 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+7 Time) : 14/05/2026

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

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

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. 
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (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 Transfer 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;  
2)    Agreed improvements of transboundary cooperation improve aquifer transboundary governance;  
3)    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 
4)    Implementation of project mechanisms for monitoring, improved stakeholder consultation, gender mainstreaming, dissemination, coordination and monitoring progress enhance long-term sustainability of achievements. 

The activities proposed herewith are a direct contribution to the achievement of such outcomes, mostly through the CMDA Component 1 “Joint science-based diagnostic for groundwater dynamics (recharge and extraction) and effects on ecosystems (e.g. fish, wetlands) and livelihoods”. Under Component 1, UNESCO-IHP is tasked to perform a joint transboundary assessment of the hydrological state of groundwater resources, recharge and extraction dynamics. 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 national experts from the two beneficiary countries, and with the support of UNESCO National Offices in Hanoi and Phnom Penh.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Within the framework of the CMDA Component 1 on ″Joint science-based diagnostic for groundwater dynamics (recharge and extraction and effects on ecosystems (e.g. fish, wetlands) and livelihoods″ , 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 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 incumbent will perform the following tasks:
The incumbent shall work in close cooperation with other Vietnamese and Cambodian national experts and institutions, international experts and scientific partners participating in the project.

1.    Coordinate interfaces with national teams and partners; convene minimal meetings to confirm scope, timelines and acceptance criteria; issue minutes and an action log; route documents via UNESCO to the PMUs and the Joint Technical Committee; maintain an interface tracker; escalate risks to the Regional Coordinator if milestones slip. The role focuses on methods, harmonisation, evidence compilation, coordination and TDA ready synthesis.

2.    Engage national PMUs, the Joint Technical Committee, MERFI, FAO, IUCN and relevant national institutions for evidence sharing, validation and capacity support; facilitate technical discussions and align contributions with the Annual Work Plan; route all formal submissions via UNESCO.

3.    Integrated methods and guidance: Provide methodological guidance and hands‑on support to national experts in Cambodia and Viet Nam to review and analyse both the governance arrangements and the legal frameworks related to groundwater, including institutional stakeholder settings on both sides of the CMDA.

4.    Common templates and harmonisation rules: Develop short, practical templates and an indicator list for the governance and legal review, define harmonisation rules and a QA checklist, and ensure alignment with the aquifer assessment. Draw on UNESCO materials on transboundary aquifers (Link)  and internationally recognised legal references where applicable.

5.    Enable a joint governance‑and‑law assessment: Guide national teams to prepare an integrated assessment of governance and law that enables transboundary cooperation, explicitly considering links to groundwater extraction, recharge, surface water use, land use change, groundwater dependent ecosystems and groundwater quality changes.

6.    Harmonisation and gap analysis: Consolidate and quality‑assure national inputs, produce a harmonised evidence base that is comparable across countries, and identify gaps and priority enablers for cooperation.

7.    Align deliverables to the TDA stages: CMDA Stage 1 baseline and trends for legal and governance indicators; CMDA Stage 2 future‑scenario interfaces and readiness of indicator and evidence exchanges; CMDA Stage 3 integration with a compiled change log reflecting cross‑discipline feedback.

8.    TDA input: Prepare one concise TDA‑ready synthesis of the combined governance and law findings using the UNESCO template for Output 1.1 contributions.

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.

The performance period is eight months, from May 2026 to December 2026. (tentative) The level of effort is up to 4.5 person months within this period, allocated intermittently based on milestones and national team needs. 

1    Methods and templates pack: A short methods note with data and document review templates, an agreed indicator list, harmonisation rules and a QA checklist for an integrated governance and legal review by 31 May 2026.

2    Harmonised governance‑and‑law evidence matrix: A machine‑readable matrix or catalogue that compiles, standardises and documents the institutional arrangements and legal instruments in Cambodia and Viet Nam, with clear metadata by 31 July 2026.

3    Gap analysis and recommendations: A brief note summarising critical gaps, priority reforms and cooperation enablers, including recommendations that feed design of monitoring and data exchange under Output 1.1 by 30 September 2026.

4    TDA‑ready synthesis chapter: One integrated, concise chapter that merges the governance and law findings for the CMDA and is formatted for direct insertion into the TDA using the UNESCO template by 15 December 2026.

• 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 law, environmental law, public policy, water resources governance, or closely related social sciences relevant to groundwater governance and transboundary aquifers.

WORK EXPERIENCE

•    Minimum 7 years of relevant work experience in water governance and law, including institutional and legal analysis, policy and regulatory review, and preparation of governance inputs for technical assessments.
•    Minimum 3 years of work experience within the Asia‑Pacific context on groundwater or water‑resources governance and legal frameworks; experience working with government institutions in the sub‑region is an asset.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

•    Proven conceptual and analytical skills in groundwater governance and water law, including institutional mapping, legal review, policy analysis and preparation of TDA‑ready synthesis notes.
•    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.
•    Capacity to work independently and deliver harmonised evidence products methods and templates, governance‑and‑law evidence matrices, gap analyses and concise, TDA‑formatted text to agreed timelines.

LANGUAGES

•    Excellent proficiency of English in writing and speaking.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

•    Previous experience working with United Nations, international organizations or government agencies.
•    Experience reviewing groundwater legislation and institutional arrangements, and familiarity with transboundary aquifer governance materials and internationally recognised legal references.

Interested candidates are invited to submit to UNESCO Bangkok office the specific requirements as below through careers.unesco.org: 
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 SuccessFactors 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.

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.