Geophysical Specialist Vacancy-Job Ref: ACSAUNDP/0908/202483

Geophysical Specialist Vacancy-Job Ref: ACSAUNDP/0908/202483

Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)

JOB DESCRIPTION

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UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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 then 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
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:

Perform comprehensive analysis of geophysical data collected for groundwater exploration in the Arabian Shield.
Evaluate geophysical data quality collected by consulting companies.
Plan and conduct geophysical surveys for small water resources studies.
Review of geophysical reports prepared by or for MEWA.
Participate in capacity development of MEWA staff to advanced levels of proficiency in geophysics.
Participate in MEWA’s and UNDP’s technical seminars, workshops and training programs.
Prepare Terms Of References (TOR) for MEWA’s water resources-related projects.
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 Name Definition
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.
Business Direction & Strategy
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.
Business Management 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
Thematic Competency

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

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