Associate Programme Officer, Nairobi, Kenya

## Associate Programme Officer, Nairobi, Kenya - Organization:UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - Office:UNESCO Nairobi Type of contract :Service Contract Hiring Unit :Natural Sciences Sector (SC) Duty Station :Nairobi Work location :On site Duration of contract:12 months Hiring open to :External candidates Application deadline (Midnight UTC+3 Time) :16/10/2026 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT The Kilimanjaro Transboundary Aquifer System (KTAS) Project, entitled "Unlocking the Groundwater Potential of the Kilimanjaro Water Tower" (GEF ID 11547), is a five-year Global Environment Facility (GEF) International Waters initiative approved in June 2026. The project is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the GEF Agency and executed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in close collaboration with the Governments of the Republic of Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania. The five-year GEF International Waters project will strengthen water security, climate resilience and ecosystem health through improved scientific understanding, recharge protection and storage, groundwater-management tools, and sustain transboundary cooperation. The project aims to strengthen the sustainable management of the Kilimanjaro Transboundary Aquifer System, a strategically important shared groundwater resource underlying the Kilimanjaro Water Tower. The aquifer plays a critical role in supporting water security, livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience for communities and ecosystems on both sides of the Kenya-Tanzania border. Increasing pressures from climate change, land-use change, growing water demand, and ecosystem degradation underscore the need for coordinated transboundary management based on sound scientific knowledge and strengthened institutional cooperation. The project comprises groundwater assessment and a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA); exploratory drilling, managed aquifer recharge and recharge-area protection; harmonized monitoring, information systems and a Hydro-Environmental Observatory; a Strategic Action Programme (SAP) and permanent consultation mechanism; stakeholder engagement, knowledge management and project monitoring and evaluation. The Project Technical Officer (PTO) will provide hands-on technical implementation and assurance for assigned KTAS activities. Working under the CTA's approved plans, methodologies and priorities, the incumbent will help convert field observations, partner inputs and technical studies into validated datasets, maps, implementation records, monitoring evidence and concise technical products that can be used for project decisions and reporting. MAIN TASKS AND SERVICES 1. Technical implementation and work-package follow-up - Prepare detailed technical task plans, field protocols, checklists and schedules for assigned activities within approved AWP/Bs and consultant scopes. - Support implementation of hydrogeological, geological, geophysical, hydrochemical, isotope, ecosystem and socio-economic data activities, ensuring consistent use of agreed methods in Kenya and Tanzania. - Follow up technical milestones with national counterparts, service providers and field partners; maintain implementation records; and promptly flag slippage, dependencies or decisions to the CTA. - Verify that field activities follow approved technical specifications, health and safety measures, environmental and social safeguards, and agreed inclusion measures. 2. Field investigations, monitoring and demonstrations - Support site reconnaissance, sampling, surveys, borehole and spring inventories, aquifer testing and other field investigations, including preparation and verification of field records and georeferenced evidence. - Provide day-to-day technical follow-up for installation, calibration, testing and maintenance arrangements for groundwater monitoring equipment and telemetry, in collaboration with responsible institutions and contractors. - Check the application of harmonized monitoring indicators and protocols and compile quality-controlled observations on groundwater levels, quality, abstraction and groundwater-dependent ecosystems. - Support technical execution and monitoring of exploratory drilling, managed aquifer recharge, flood-water management, recharge protection and other pilot demonstrations; document deviations and propose corrective measures for CTA decision. 3. Data, GIS and information systems - Compile, clean, structure and document datasets from fieldwork, national systems, remote sensing and project partners, applying agreed metadata and data-quality requirements. - Undertake or support technical analysis, GIS mapping, visualization and preparation of dashboards and evidence summaries for project management and stakeholder review. - Support configuration, population, testing and routine technical functioning of the harmonized Groundwater Information Management System and the Hydro-Environmental Observatory. - Maintain version-controlled technical files, data dictionaries, QA/QC logs and archiving records, while respecting approved access, sharing, confidentiality and data-governance arrangements. 4. Technical Committee and expert-process support - Prepare technical briefs, datasets, maps and questions for meetings of the Technical Committee and thematic expert groups. - Record and synthesize technical conclusions, areas of agreement, outstanding evidence gaps and assigned actions, and follow up completion under the CTA's direction. - Consolidate inputs from national experts, consultants and partners into internally consistent working drafts and evidence packages for the conceptual model, TDA, pilot documentation, policy review and SAP. - Refer issues requiring strategic judgement, intergovernmental negotiation, contractual direction or formal approval to the CTA. 5. Technical monitoring, reporting and learning - Maintain the technical indicator tracker and assemble verifiable evidence, including sex-, age- and other relevant disaggregation, georeferenced records and source documentation. - Draft assigned technical sections of progress reports, mission reports, consultant-review notes, briefs and evaluation evidence, ensuring accuracy, traceability and consistency. - Identify emerging technical risks, data gaps, field constraints and lessons, analyse practical response options, and submit recommendations to the CTA. - Support retrieval and organization of technical documentation for supervision missions, audits, the Mid-Term Review and Terminal Evaluation. 6. Capacity development and technical communication - Prepare training materials, practical exercises, standard operating procedures and user guidance on groundwater assessment, monitoring, data management and sustainable groundwater practices. - Support delivery of technical workshops, field demonstrations and peer-learning activities with national agencies, local authorities, communities, women and youth groups, and academic partners. - Translate technical findings into clear maps, graphics, short notes and presentations suited to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Document lessons, case studies and good practices and provide verified technical content for the project website, IW:LEARN products and other approved knowledge channels. PRINCIPAL OUTPUTS AND PERFORMANCE EVIDENCE - Approved technical task plans, protocols, checklists and mission inputs for assigned activities. - Complete and traceable field records, including georeferenced observations, sampling and equipment logs, photographs and safeguard evidence. - Quality-controlled datasets, metadata, GIS products, technical figures and documented QA/QC actions. - Current monitoring-network, information-system and Hydro-Environmental Observatory implementation and