Hydrologist CST Ii, Juba, South Sudan

Organizational Context

The World Food Programme (WFP) operates in South Sudan, a logistically challenging environment marked by severe infrastructure gaps, insecurity, and extensive seasonal flooding. These conditions significantly impede humanitarian aid delivery. WFP's Engineering Unit manages a diverse portfolio of infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and flood-protection structures, crucial for sustaining operations and building community resilience amidst these complex challenges.

Job Purpose

The Hydrologist will provide essential hydrological and hydraulic expertise across WFP South Sudan, playing a critical cross-functional role within the Engineering Unit. This position aims to strengthen flood-risk management and climate adaptation strategies, supporting the planning, assessment, design, implementation, and sustainable operation of vital infrastructure and access assets. The incumbent will deliver authoritative technical assessments, modelling outputs, and mapping to inform decisions across Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, Management Services, and Programme/Climate Finance functions. By mitigating the pervasive flood-related risks that impact all WFP operations, the Hydrologist ensures the continuity of humanitarian assistance and fosters community resilience. This role also serves as a key technical focal point for engagement with government bodies and inter-agency partners on water resources and disaster-risk priorities, contributing to resilient interventions and adaptation financing.

Responsibilities

The Hydrologist role involves comprehensive hydrological and hydraulic assessments for various infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, airports, ports, and drainage systems. Responsibilities include analyzing rainfall, runoff, river flow, and flood frequency to determine design floods and assess climate change impacts. The role requires conducting hydraulic modeling for rivers, channels, and flood protection systems, as well as reviewing and validating designs from consultants. A key aspect is supporting flood risk management through hazard mapping, vulnerability assessments, and developing mitigation and adaptation measures, including nature-based solutions. The Hydrologist will also provide technical reviews of engineering designs, specifications, and tender documents, and assist in planning responses to weather events. Furthermore, the role supports supply chain and logistics by assessing access risks and advising on floodwater management, and advises management services on flood hazard and drainage conditions for facilities. Engagement with government bodies, UN agencies, and other partners on hydrological matters is crucial. The position also entails supervising and developing the capacity of hydrological staff, managing hydrological and meteorological data using GIS and modeling tools, and undertaking field missions. Deliverables include assessment reports, modeling outputs, risk assessments, and training materials.

Work Experience

Master's degree holders need 7 years, and first-degree holders need 9 years of professional experience in hydrology, hydraulics, or water resources engineering. Required expertise includes hydrological and hydraulic studies of river basins, flood assessment, modelling, and mitigation. Candidates must have proven experience supporting diverse infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and ports, along with knowledge of stormwater management and climate-resilient infrastructure design.

Skills

Hydrological and hydraulic analysis, modelling, and design., Flood risk management, mapping, and climate resilience., Infrastructure engineering support (roads, bridges, ports, flood protection)., GIS, remote sensing, and hydrological data management., Technical review of engineering designs and project documents., Capacity building and technical leadership., Government and inter-agency stakeholder engagement.

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