National Consultant on Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GWDE) – Viet Nam (Hanoi, Viet Nam) contract

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 3 – Senior

Hiring Unit : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station : Hanoi

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 7 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+7 Time) : 22/05/2026

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

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.

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;

5. 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 UNESCO-led Component 1 “Joint science-based diagnostic for groundwater dynamics (recharge and extraction) and effects on ecosystems (e.g. fish, wetlands) and livelihoods”, and Component 3 “Transboundary cooperation mechanisms”. Under component 1, UNESCO-IHP is tasked to perform a joint transboundary assessment of the hydrological state of groundwater resources, recharge and extraction dynamics (Output 1.1). 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 selected National Experts from the two beneficiary countries, and with the support of UNESCO National Offices in Hanoi and Phnom Penh.

UNESCO Country Office in Vietnam is looking for national expert to undertake the assignment as below

Within the framework of the UNESCO-led component 1 on ″Joint science-based diagnostic for groundwater dynamics (recharge and extraction and effects on ecosystems (e.g. fish, wetlands) and livelihoods″ of the CMDA project, the Consultant will provide technical support for the following output:

Output 1.2: Analysis of groundwater related dependencies of related ecosystems.

Under the overall responsibility of the Head of the UNESCO Hanoi Office, the technical supervision of CMDA regional coordinator with technical guidance and support from UNESCO Headquarters, the direct supervision of the Chief of the Natural Sciences Unit of UNESCO Hanoi Office, the consultant will perform the following tasks related to Viet Nam. The consultant shall work in close cooperation with other Vietnamese and Cambodian national experts and institutions, international experts and scientific partners participating in the project.

1. • Identify and select relevant Groundwater-dependent Ecosystems (GWDE) in the Vietnamese side of the CMDA based on the general assessment of the aquifer and existing information on protected sites. The definition and criteria for the identification of the groundwater dependent ecosystem to be discussed and agreed upon with UNESCO.
   • Compile and analyze available data and information describing the selected GWDE sites to support their assessment. Identify data gaps in this area.
   • Based on the analysis of the compiled data and information carried out in Task 2, contribute technically to a collaborative assessment of the GWDE of the Vietnamese side of the CMDA, including the evaluation of ecosystems state (e.g. wetlands) and ecosystem services (groundwater recharge, flood retention, nutrient reduction). The assessment will include the potential impacts of projected trends (including climatic and hydrometeorological trends and anthropogenic groundwater exploitation activities) and impacts (e.g. land subsidence, salinization) on GWDE. The assessment will be done using state-of-the-art GWDE methodologies and existing numerical assessment tools, in close cooperation with other Vietnamese and Cambodian national experts and institutions, international experts and scientific partners participating in the project.

1. • Based on the compilation of the analyses and assessments carried out in Tasks 2 and 3 above, prepare a report summarizing the contribution in terms of GWDE to the TDA process for the Vietnamese side of the CMDA. A template for the TDA inputs will be provided by UNESCO
   • Besides the main tasks described, the expert will be asked to participate in and provide inputs for internal and external meetings and workshops, as required.

The contract duration is 7 months, with the possibility of an extension for an additional 3 to 4 months, subject to performance and project needs. The expert’s total engagement shall not exceed 11 person-months across the entire contract period, including any extension.

Payments will be made upon acceptance of UNESCO of the deliverables agreed with the expert.

The expert may be required to undertake missions, in such case, the related expenses will be covered in accordance with the regulations of UNESCO and EU-UN cost norms in Viet Nam.

EDUCATION

1. • A graduate degree (MSc.) in ecology, hydrology, biodiversity and conservation, aquatic biology, aquatic bio-sciences, ecosystem sciences or related environmental or engineering disciplines

WORK EXPERIENCE

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Proficiency of GIS-based applications and office software, including MS Excel, MS Word, MS Power Point;

LANGUAGES

         Excellent language skills in English and Vietnamese (writing, speaking and reading);

1. • PhD. in ecology, hydrology, biodiversity and conservation, ecosystem or related environmental or engineering sciences;
   • 15 years or more of qualifying work and/or combined with research experience in the field of biodiversity and ecosystem assessment, and/or those relevant to water resource management in Viet Nam ;
   • Previous experience with UN projects in the field of ecology, hydrology, biodiversity, ecosystem assessment in the context of water resource management in Viet Nam.
   • Previous experience in collaborating with international organizations, including working with Cambodian specialists on international projects is highly valued.

• Professionalism (C)
• 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.

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now”, then download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information in English:

 (Please note UNESCO cannot consider an incomplete proposal that does not include the following information requested)

1. • A letter of expression of interest.
   • An updated Curriculum Vitae.

1. • A technical proposal (5 pages maximum), including a description of your proposed approach and methodology to undertake the assignment;
   • A financial proposal, indicating a monthly rate and daily rate (in US$). Application submitted without monthly rate and daily rate will not be considered
   • The contact details of three referees

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.