Wastewater and Water Quality Data Technical Specialist

Organizational Context

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the UN agency for human settlements, mandated to promote sustainable towns and cities. The Urban Basic Services Section implements projects focused on monitoring SDG 6, particularly wastewater management, in partnership with various UN agencies and international organizations. This role supports efforts to improve wastewater data collection and reporting.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this role is to contribute to UN-Habitat's mandate of improving sustainable wastewater management services by enhancing data collection and reporting for SDG indicator 6.3.1. The incumbent will develop methodologies, collaborate with international partners, and support the integration of national and local data to strengthen progress estimates. This work is crucial for informing policies, investments, and management strategies related to wastewater and water quality, ultimately supporting the global commitment to wastewater management by 2030 and ensuring adequate shelter for all through improved urban basic services.

Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities include developing and refining methodologies for monitoring total and industrial wastewater generation and treatment, in line with UN-Water guidance and SDG indicator 6.3.1 metadata. This involves close collaboration with co-custodian agencies like WHO and UNSD, as well as partners such as OECD and Eurostat, to harmonize data collection processes and terminology. The role requires reviewing and analyzing wastewater data from various databases for accuracy and consistency, developing country profiles, producing graphics, aggregating data by region, building time series, and ensuring data integration into global databases. Additionally, the consultant will collect disaggregated wastewater data from countries not currently reporting, advise countries on aligning with international standards, and contribute technical inputs to SDG 6.3.1 indicator reports.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of experience in environmental sciences, water resources management, or water and development is required. This includes at least five years of experience in projects focused on monitoring basic services like water, sanitation, and hygiene. Experience in preparing scientific analyses on wastewater and water quality is essential. Proficiency in office software packages and experience in data management and capacity development are also required. GIS experience in an urban context is an additional asset.

Skills

Data analysis, wastewater monitoring, water quality assessment, SDG indicator reporting, international collaboration, project proposal development, communication, data management, GIS (urban context), proficiency in MS Office Suite.

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