Job Summary

 Ethiopia has made impressive progress in expanding access to water and sanitation from a very low base. In the 1990s, only 14% of the population had access to water and 3% to sanitation coverage. In 2017, this had increased to 65% and 32% respectively. In 20 years, 45 million people gained access to water. Ethiopia has made rapid progress in reducing open defecation (92% of the population in 1992 to 28% in 2015).

 As a leader and trusted donor in the sector, the UK provided grants to GoE over five years (October 2019 — September 2024), to support sustainable access to climate-resilient clean water and improved sanitation services and good hygiene practices. The program that the UK Government is supporting via the CWA is called “Strengthening Climate Resilient Systems for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services in Ethiopia (SCRS — WaSH)” and is being implemented in 41 priority I woredas in seven (Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, SNNP, Somali and Tigray) regions of Ethiopia. This program prioritizes the drought-affected and drought-prone areas of Ethiopia through strengthened climate-resilient systems of WaSH delivery whilst supporting sustainable financing systems for WaSH in Ethiopia.

 Specific Tasks

 The role of the “Senior Hydrogeologist” working under the OWNP is to support and facilitate the effective implementation of particularly the Climate Resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (CR-WaSH)” programme in Ethiopia including facilitating and strengthening communications between the different tiers. As such, under the CR-WASH program, the role of the senior hydrogeologist will be to support the Regional PMU in communicating with Woreda WASH Team and Town Water Utilities and providing them with the directions, information, systems and technical skills. 

 The senior hydrogeologist will work within the SNNP regional water supply and sanitation program management unit (regional PMU) that is responsible for managing and coordinating the CWA and Government supported CR-WaSH projects at SNNP and Sidama regional levels. The water supply and sanitation program management unit coordinator would affirm that work plans developed by the senior hydrogeologist to discharge his/her assigned duties are logically compatible with his/her respective job descriptions and would monitor that the planned services are delivered by the expert in a manner and in line with the objective of the project/program. 

 On the basis of the roles described above, the specific areas of responsibility of the senior hydrogeologist include, but are not limited to:

Technical aspects

• Plan and conduct hydro-geological/geophysical investigations in a multi-step approach in order to determine feasibility of groundwater and appropriateness of drilling boreholes at the sites for the CR-WaSH projects in the two (SNNP and Sidama) regions which include:
• Desk study: Review of existing data, topographical maps, satellite images, existing studies and borehole site investigations in the area, geological reports and maps (if available), borehole and surface water records, etc. Obtain, study and synthesize background information including the geology, hydrogeology and existing borehole data, for the purpose of improving the quality of assessment and preparing comprehensive hydrogeological reports,
• Hydro-geological fieldwork: Detailed reconnaissance survey of the project area. (GPS co-ordinates/P-codes, water level measurements, condition of these boreholes, usage, and performance where applicable) inspection of geological, geomorphological and structural characteristics of the investigated area; verification of existing data and findings.
• Geophysical measurements: resistivity/IP profiling and vertical electrical/IP soundings/other methods and analysis of hydro-geological/geophysical data to improve the result.
• Identify any issues that might hinder the implementation of works in any of the project areas.
• Engage proactively in site selection and design and reporting. 
• Prepare specifications, BOQs, and bidding documents.
• Provide effective and efficient supervisory support to the borehole drilling contractors as per established norm/standards including supervision of borehole drilling and construction, pumping test operation and water quality analyses.
• Ensure that boreholes are drilled to the required depth and specifications as per the hydrogeological investigation recommendations;\
• Ensure that the drilled borehole is constructed as per established standard and as specified in the drilling contracts.
• Ensure that borehole records (logs, water quality tests, pumping test and recovery curves) are well documented.
• Ensure that positive boreholes are installed and equipped as per design standard guided by result of a pumping test.
• Assist in providing guidance and hydro geological technical support to the federal and regional water sectors and local experts.
• Supervise water well rehabilitation and operation and maintenance works

Program Planning and Management

• Support the preparation of regional PMUs annual work plans and budget for the Regional CR-WaSH projects supported by CWA and Government Phase II programme
• Support the Regional Coordinator in preparation and consolidation of quarterly progress reports, including integration of hygiene and sanitation data;
• Provide support to the National Coordination Offices in preparation of WASH program documentation required for quarterly meetings and JTRs;
• Foster integration under the WASH program by supporting efforts to integrate water supply, sanitation and hygiene interventions and coordinate planning across sectors; 
• Support the regional program management unit (PMU), in the updating of data on WaSH physical and financial performance including number of user communities and beneficiaries’ vs planned activities considering integration of hygiene and sanitation performance.
• Support regions on timely tracking of their allocated, received, utilized and liquated budget.

Sector Support

• Guide, capacitate and support technically the RWB experts through related skill transfer and coaching,
• Work extensively with regional, woreda and town implementing agencies to ensure they have the necessary skills and training to perform their duties;
• Provide different trainings and skill support related to groundwater assessment, development and management for all stakeholders across all WASH Projects in close collaboration and partnership with key government partners (both national and Regional), other similar Climate Change and WASH projects, NGOs, Woredas and local communities
• Produce or update the necessary technical (e.g. cost-effective designs, operation and maintenance, etc.) and program management (e.g. procurement process, contract management, etc.) training materials and manuals for use by implementing agencies;
• Assist the region to identify their program gaps and management deficits and provide them with the technical assistance or capacity development they require;
• Provide technical backup and capacity-building support to the RWCO and RWTT, WASHCo in particular on the development and implementation of a WASH sector capacity-building strategy.

 Duration of the Assignment: The assignment will be for one year with the possibility of extension based on evaluation of performance. Under- or non-performance will result in immediate termination of the contract.

 Expected Deliverables

1. TA support work plan to be updated quarterly — two weeks after deployment,
2. Monthly report every 1^st week of the month,
3. Biannual consolidated reports,
4. End of contract report - upon conclusion of the assignment.

 Reporting

 The TA will be housed in SNNP Water, Mines, and Energy Development Bureau and will work within the team of the Water Supply Study, Design and Construction Supervision Directorate, and Regional PMU. The specialist will have full responsibility for the CWA and Government supported CR-WaSH project activities in the regions and will be supervised by the Regional PMUs. 

 The reporting requirements will be as per the deliverables plan indicated above and shall be submitted to the regional PMU and to ABH. ABH will forward each report to the WASH section of UNICEF as per the above deliverables plan.

Job Requirements

• M.Sc. or above in Hydrogeology, Engineering Geology with 8 years and above of professional work experience, or
• B.Sc. with 10 years and above of progressively responsible professional work experience in Hydrogeology, Engineering Geology,
• Strong experience in study, design, construction, works supervision, contract administration, tender document preparation and evaluation, program planning and management as well as sector support,
• Experience with quality assurance and site monitoring for civil engineering projects including drilling, review of change orders, an inspection of works, and reporting discrepancies,
• Professional fluency (writing and oral) in English,
• Strong communication skills and flexibility working with various stakeholders,
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)

 General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics

1. The consultant will be responsible for identifying and securing their own accommodation.
2. DSA will be provided by the Water, Mines and Energy Development Bureau of SNNPR for travel to the project sites (outside of duty station).
3. The consultant should have their own laptop with internet capability and Microsoft Office applications.
4. The regional water, mines and energy development bureau will arrange transport services for project supervision field missions to the project sites.
5. Payments for consultancy works are submitted on a monthly basis with approval of deliverables and monthly reports based on the rates stipulated in the contract.

How to Apply

Qualified applicants can submit their application letter along with an updated CV with three professional references, copies of education credentials, and work experience via email to jobs@abhpartners.com by stating the position and region you are applying for on the subject email. The application may also be submitted in person to our office located on Bole Road, behind DH Geda Tower Addis Ababa from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday, and Saturday Up to 12:30.

Qualified candidates who fulfill the criteria will be hired only following the approval and endorsement by UNICEF.