Hydrology Advisor

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General Information

Position Title

Hydrology Advisor

Job Category

Engineer

Duty Station(s)

Home based

Seniority Level

Senior Level

ICS Level

ICS 11

Contract Type

ICA - LICA - Specialist - Retainer

Contract Level

LICA 11

Posting Start Date

21-Aug-2026

Posting End Date

10-Sep-2026

Duration

One year initially, renewable based on satisfactory performance and budget avaibality

Job Highlight

This role offers a unique opportunity to provide regional technical expertise and pioneer climate-resilient water engineering solutions within the Horn of Africa. Working under the leadership of the Senior Portfolio Manager, you will integrate climate change adaptation and disaster mitigation strategies into major infrastructure portfolios, shaping sustainable water governance, and building robust institutional capacity in a region acutely impacted by climate variability and environmental fragility

About the Region

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices-spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa-the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.

Job Specific Context

The UNOPS Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) is establishing a multi-disciplinary Water Security and Climate Adaptation expert team. This team supports long-term master planning, the strategic design, and the resilient management of hydraulic, sanitation, and water resource infrastructures across fragile and climate-vulnerable landscapes. As a core technical member of this team, the incumbent provides authoritative technical guidance, remote and inception support, and advanced hydrological analysis. The role goes beyond standard engineering to embed climate change projections, disaster risk reduction (DRR), integrated water resources management (IWRM), and catchment-level planning. The role requires independent hydrological analysis according to validated international standards and the advanced knowledge to adapt existing methodologies to meet emerging climate risks and sustainable development goals within the Horn of Africa

Role Purpose

The Hydrology Advisor acts as a senior technical and strategic expert, independently driving the hydrological, climate adaptation, and disaster mitigation technical outputs of the office's water-related portfolio. Reporting directly to the Senior Portfolio Manager who leads the team, the candidate provides authoritative technical advice, elaborates complex environmental data, and delivers high-quality specialized outputs. The role involves solving complex, data-scarce hydrological challenges, ensuring the climate-proofing of specialized infrastructure designs, and informing regional water security strategies.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Technical Expertise

• Provide specialist technical advice and strategic design support in the hydrological sectors across the hydrological, water resources, and climate change adaptation sectors.
• Assist, guide, and verify climate-resilient methodologies are implemented ensuring infrastructures are designed to withstand extreme weather events, long-term climate shifts, and altered hydrological regimes.
• Support decision-support systems for optimal, conflict-sensitive water allocation, balancing ecosystem needs with agricultural, domestic, and energy demands. .
• Ensure all technical designs and assessments align with international quality standards and UNOPS technical infrastructure guidelines.

2. Monitoring and Reporting

• Actively engage with the broader team and all relevant stakeholders on data collection, field verification, and hydro-meteorological modeling .
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of implementation plan progress.
• Prepare and submit technical reports, risk logs, and issue briefs summarizing the progress of hydrological tasks to the Senior Portfolio Manager
• Work closely with the Senior Portfolio Project Manager to provide rapid technical responses and adapt methodologies to emerging project and regional environmental needs.

3. Knowledge Sharing and Knowledge Building

• Support team multi disciplinary collaboration and share advanced knowledge on:
• Macro and micro-level hydrological assessments and multi-scenario baseline modeling. - Downscaling global climate models (GCMs) and regional climate models (RCMs) to evaluate long-term impacts on catchments and infrastructure lifespans. - Distributed hydrological modeling for simulating complex processes in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). - Hydro-meteorological forecasting, impact-based early warning systems (EWS), and real-time flash flood/drought monitoring. - Incorporating Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) alongside traditional infrastructure. - Quantifying uncertainty, sensitivity analysis, and managing data-scarce environments common in fragile contexts.

4. Technical Portfolio & Team Support

• Support the Senior Portfolio Project Manager from a technical viewpoint to review, pitch, and deliver multifaceted projects with heavy hydrological or climate-adaptation components.
• Support the Senior Portfolio Project Manager in coordinating the technical work of the team; technically supervise and coach the team during the implementation phase.
• Ensure principles of human rights, gender equity, peace, voice, accountability, 'doing no harm,' and aid effectiveness in all activities.
• Create, foster, and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards, and commitments.

Skills

Capacity Building, Climate Change, Geographic Information Systems, Hydrology, Water Resource Management

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

• Master''s degree or equivalent in Hydrology, Water Resources Engineering, Hydro-climatology, Environmental Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience on the subject;

Desired

• Ph.D. in Hydrology, Hydraulic Engineering, or Water Resources Management with a climate focus.

Experience Requirements

Required

• A minimum of 7 years of combined relevant experience in: Hydrological modeling development in the engineering sector;

Climate change impact evaluations on large hydraulic infrastructures and/or catchments; and Real-time drought and flood forecasting.

Desired

• Experience in risk assessment of water systems.

• Experience in teaching, conducting applied research, and/or capacity building in the hydrological engineering sector.

• Author or co-author of articles published in international peer-reviewed journals or proceedings of international conferences in the hydrological sector.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequired

Additional Information

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

Terms and Conditions

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
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