Associate Programme Officer
Organizational Context
The Kilimanjaro Transboundary Aquifer System (KTAS) Project, a five-year GEF International Waters initiative, is executed by UNESCO in collaboration with Kenya and Tanzania. The project aims to strengthen water security, climate resilience, and ecosystem health by improving scientific understanding, protecting recharge areas, and enhancing groundwater management tools. It focuses on the sustainable management of a critical shared groundwater resource, addressing pressures from climate change and increasing water demand through coordinated transboundary cooperation based on sound scientific knowledge.
Job Purpose
The Project Technical Officer (PTO) will provide hands-on technical implementation and assurance for assigned activities within the Kilimanjaro Transboundary Aquifer System (KTAS) Project. Working under the Chief Technical Advisor's (CTA) guidance, the incumbent will transform field observations, partner inputs, and technical studies into validated datasets, maps, implementation records, and monitoring evidence. These concise technical products will support project decision-making and reporting, ensuring the effective execution of project components related to groundwater assessment, monitoring, data management, and transboundary cooperation for sustainable resource management.
Responsibilities
The Associate Programme Officer will be responsible for the technical implementation and follow-up of project activities. This includes preparing detailed technical task plans, field protocols, and schedules, and supporting the implementation of hydrogeological, geological, geophysical, hydrochemical, isotope, ecosystem, and socio-economic data activities. The role involves verifying field activities against technical specifications and safeguards, supporting site reconnaissance, sampling, surveys, and aquifer testing, and providing technical follow-up for groundwater monitoring equipment. Responsibilities also extend to compiling, cleaning, and structuring datasets, undertaking technical analysis and GIS mapping, and supporting the functioning of the Groundwater Information Management System. The officer will prepare technical briefs for committees, record technical conclusions, and draft technical sections of progress reports, identifying and analyzing technical risks and lessons learned. Additionally, the role involves preparing training materials and supporting technical workshops and peer-learning activities, translating technical findings for various audiences and documenting best practices.
Work Experience
Relevant early-career professional experience of less than two years is required in applied hydrogeology, groundwater monitoring, water resources data management, GIS, or environmental fieldwork. Practical experience in collecting, checking, analyzing, or presenting environmental or water data is essential. Experience preparing clear technical records, maps, figures, briefs, or reports from multiple sources is also necessary.
Skills
Proficiency in hydrogeological principles, groundwater/surface-water interactions, and field data-quality practices is essential. The ability to use GIS and data-analysis tools, and to learn project-specific platforms, is required. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to reproducible, well-documented work are crucial. Excellent organizational skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and strong written and oral communication skills for explaining technical information to diverse audiences are necessary.