Geophysical Specialist

Background
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The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA) has the mandate to supervise the water sector, and manage and protect the natural water resources of the Kingdom. To carry out this mandate, the ministry has completed many water resources studies, prepared the National Water Strategy (NWS) and related water regulations, and initiated a comprehensive Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) plan along with other initiatives that ensure sustainability of water resources and high quality of water supply. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has an agreement with MEWA to provide MEWA with technical assistance in its capacity development to carry out its mandate.

The UNDP is looking for a qualified and competent international expert to work as a Water Information Management Specialist in the UNDP project team at MEWA.

Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of Work:
The Geophysical Specialist shall carry the overall responsibility of supporting MEWA to successfully complete specific water resources projects and capacity development in geophysical studies for groundwater, surface water, and dam construction.

The key areas of work and responsibilities under this TOR include:

1. Perform comprehensive analysis of geophysical data collected for groundwater exploration in the Arabian Shield.
2. Evaluate geophysical data quality collected by consulting companies.
3. Plan and conduct geophysical surveys for small water resources studies.
4. Review of geophysical reports prepared by or for MEWA.
5. Participate in capacity development of MEWA staff to advanced levels of proficiency in geophysics.
6. Participate in MEWA’s and UNDP’s technical seminars, workshops and training programs.
7. Prepare Terms Of References (TOR) for MEWA’s water resources-related projects.
8. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement
The Specialist shall report to the UNDP Team Leader- Water Resources and should regularly (as decided by UNDP project management) provide him with written reports on his/her work progress.

Competencies
Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Thematic Area
Business Direction & Strategy
Strategic Thinking
Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
System Thinking
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Business Development
Knowledge Facilitation
Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
Business Management
Project Management
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.
Communication
Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.
Partnership Management
Relationship Management
Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding.

Required Skills and Experience
Min. Academic Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Geophysics (Potential Fields methods) is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• PhD is an advantage.

Min. years of relevant Work experience

• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience on geophysics in water studies or related fields is required.

Required skills and competencies
Desired additional skills and competencies

• Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations is an advantage.
• Experience and knowledge of capacity building theory and capacity building/assessment methodologies is desired.
• Proven experience in advocacy and communications skills and demonstrated report writing skills is an asset.

Required Language(s) (at working level)

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

Professional Certificates NA
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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