Water Supply Engineering Consultant
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them reach their full potential. In the Pacific, UNICEF supports 14 island countries and territories, focusing on delivering safe, inclusive, and climate-resilient WASH infrastructure for communities, schools, and health facilities.
Job Purpose
The Water Supply Engineering Consultant will provide specialized technical expertise to UNICEF Pacific's WASH and Climate Programme. The role involves assessing, reviewing, and supporting the design, installation, testing, commissioning, and maintenance planning of water supply systems across Pacific Island countries. The consultant will ensure these systems are climate and disaster-resilient, meeting required standards for safety, reliability, efficiency, and durability in challenging environmental conditions. This position is crucial for strengthening the technical quality and compliance of water supply infrastructure projects, contributing directly to the well-being of children and communities.
Responsibilities
The Consultant will provide technical services for the assessment, design, engineer’s estimate, procurement support, and quality assurance of climate- and disaster-resilient water supply systems for communities, schools, and health facilities across UNICEF Pacific programme countries. Key responsibilities include: A. Inception, pre-survey, and design preparation: - Reviewing existing data, including previous assessments, feasibility studies, government datasets, topographic maps, satellite imagery, hydrogeological and meteorological information, and existing engineering drawings. - Developing survey tools such as data collection templates, site assessment checklists, and quality assurance/control procedures. - Creating a fieldwork plan, finalizing survey schedules, identifying equipment needs, establishing safety procedures, and managing logistics. - Coordinating with communities, schools, health facilities, government authorities, and other stakeholders, with UNICEF Country Offices facilitating engagement. B. Assessment and survey: - Conducting site assessments, including water source identification and assessment. - Performing yield testing for various water sources (springs, boreholes, wells, surface water systems). - Conducting water quality sampling and analysis using field test kits or laboratory analysis.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in water supply system design, assessment, and implementation, preferably in developing countries or fragile states. Experience with climate-resilient infrastructure and working in island or remote contexts is essential.
Skills
Water Supply System Design, Climate Resilience, Disaster Risk Reduction, Site Assessment, Quality Assurance, Project Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Technical Reporting, Data Analysis, Hydrogeology, Water Quality Testing, Engineering Standards