Consultant- Regional Capacity Gaps and Needs Assessment in the Water Sector in West Africa

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 3 - Senior

Hiring Unit : Sciences Sector (SCS)

Duty Station : Dakar

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 4 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC±0 (UTC) Time) : 21/10/2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

I. CONTEXT

West Africa faces increasingly complex and interconnected water security challenges driven by climate variability and change, rapid urbanization, population growth, ecosystem degradation, groundwater depletion, deteriorating water quality, and the increasing frequency and intensity of floods and droughts. These pressures are placing growing demands on water resources and highlighting the need for more integrated, resilient, and science-based approaches to water resources management. At the same time, regional policy frameworks developed by ECOWAS, UEMOA, river basin organizations, and other regional institutions, together with national water policies and strategies, establish ambitious objectives for integrated water resources management (IWRM), climate resilience, and universal access to water and sanitation. However, translating these commitments into effective action remains constrained by persistent capacity gaps at individual, organizational, institutional, and systemic levels.

A comprehensive and evidence-based assessment is therefore needed to identify current strengths, priority needs, implementation bottlenecks, and opportunities for collaboration across the region. Such an assessment will enable capacity development investments to be more strategic, demand-driven, and aligned with the priorities of regional water agendas, and national development frameworks.

Thus, UNESCO through its Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), seeks to undertake a regional assessment of capacity gaps and needs in the water sector in West Africa, complemented by an in-depth assessment in one selected pilot country. The assessment will examine capacities across scientific, technical, institutional, organizational, and governance dimensions, with particular attention to the implementation of the IHP-IX Strategic and Operational Plans. Its findings will provide an evidence base for the development of a regional capacity development framework, a prioritized portfolio of regional and national interventions, and a country-specific action plan to strengthen institutional performance, knowledge generation and sharing, water governance, and long-term resilience across the region.

II. OBJECTIVES

2.1 Overall objective:

To assess capacity gaps and needs in the Water sector in West Africa, at the regional level and through an in-depth analysis in a pilot country, to provide a solid analytical basis for the design of targeted capacity-development interventions. 

Long Description

2.2 Specific objectives 

• Map existing capacities (institutional, organizational and human) in the Water sector across West Africa; 
• Conduct an in-depth analysis of capacity needs in a selected pilot country, including consultations with national and local stakeholders; 
• Formulate concrete and prioritized recommendations for capacity-development interventions, at both the regional level and in the pilot country; 
• Propose a replicable methodological framework for capacity assessment, which could be applied to other countries in the region. 

III. TASKS

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

At a regional level:

• Desk review of strategies, policies, investment plans and prior assessments relevant to the Water sector in the region; 
• Consultations with regional stakeholders (ECOWAS, UEMOA, river basin authorities, professional networks, technical and financial partners); 
• Identify key regional and country-level capacity gaps and their underlying causes.
• Mapping of key institutions and of ongoing or past capacity-development initiatives (donors, technical and financial partners, regional organizations); 
• Assess current capacity development initiatives, tools, and support mechanisms.
• Formulate concrete and prioritized recommendations for capacity-development interventions

At a pilot country level:

• Selection of a pilot country based on objective criteria (scale of challenges, data availability, institutional commitment, complementarity with other ongoing interventions); 
• In-depth diagnostic of capacities and identification of capacity gaps at national level;
• Consultations with sector ministries, service operators, local authorities, training institutions, the private sector and civil society; A participatory and gender-sensitive approach should be applied, ensuring the representation of women and under-represented groups in consultations; 
• Analysis of existing training and professionalization pathways (training supply, alignment with the sector’s needs); 
• Development of a capacity-development plan specific to the pilot country, aligned with regional priorities. The plan should include specific actions, timelines, responsible parties, and resource requirements.

IV. DELIVERABLES

The consultant will submit the following deliverables:

• Deliverable 1: Inception Report- detailing the consultant's understanding of the TOR, methodology, data-collection tools, refined workplan and timeline.  
• Deliverable 2: Regional mapping and assessment report
• Deliverable 3: Pilot country diagnostic report (In-depth analysis of capacities and needs in the pilot country)
• Deliverable 4: Final Report - with recommendations for capacity development interventions at regional level and Pilot Country capacity development plan

V. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The consultant should possess the following qualifications and experience:

Academic Qualifications

Advanced degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Water Resources Management, Water Engineering, Hydrology, Water and Sanitation, Environmental Sciences, or another relevant field

Technical Competencies and Experience Requirements

• Extensive experience (more than 10 years) in in the water sector, preferably with substantial experience in Africa;
• Demonstrated knowledge of water governance, Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), water security, climate resilience and the institutional landscape of the water sector;
• Proven experience working with government institutions, regional organizations, development partners and other relevant water-sector stakeholders;
• Proven experience in developing capacity development strategies, frameworks, action plans and/or targeted capacity-building interventions based on identified needs;
• Excellent analytical, communication, and report-writing skills.

 Desirable Qualifications

• Strong understanding of the West African water sector context.
• Experience with UNESCO projects or other international organizations is an asset.

LANGUAGES

Fluency in English or French is required. Proficiency in the other language is strongly desirable.

VI. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

• 1st payment of 10% at reception of Deliverable 1
• 2nd payment of 40% at reception Deliverable 2
• 3rd payment of 30% at reception of Deliverable 3
• 4th payment of 20% at reception of Deliverable 4

VII. OTHERS

Long Description

• The consultant must be available for regular communication with the UNESCO Dakar regional Office
• Adherence to UNESCO’s values and ethical standards is mandatory.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.