JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:

Hydrogeologist

Work Unit: Water Resources Assessment, Water and Sanitation Programme

Responsible To: Water Resources Assessment and Monitoring Coordinator

Responsible For:

Job Purpose:

0

Coordination and implementation of water resources monitoring and assessment activities for the Water and Sanitation Programme

Date: November 2017

Vision:

“All CROP (Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific) agencies contribute to achieving the vision embodied in the Pacific Plan of a region of peace, stability, economic growth, good governance and sustainable development.

Organisation Context:

Key Result Areas: The position of Hydrogeologist encompasses the following major functions or Key Result Areas: 1. Technical advice and support 2. Groundwater Modelling 3. Project management 4. Networking and Communications 5. Capacity Building 6. Reporting The requirements in the above Key Result Areas are broadly identified below.

Jobholder is accountable for Jobholder is successful when

Director - Geoscience, Energy, Maritime

Division

Deputy Director - Disaster and Climate

Resilience

Water Resources Assessment and

Monitoring Coordinator

Hydrogeologist (Location Suva)

1. Technical advice and support

- Provide high quality technical advice and support on water resource related technical and research needs at the regional, national and local levels; • design and implementation of

hydrogeological monitoring, modelling and assessment programmes, including the collection, management and analysis of associated data;

• the utilisation of water resources knowledge and information to improve drinking water security, safe sanitation and community resilience to the impacts of extreme events;

• assessment of the post-disaster impacts to water resources;

• the design and implementation of information systems such as geographic information systems to manage and communicate water resource information

• geophysical survey design, implementation, analysis, and interpretation using electromagnetics and resistivity to assist with groundwater assessment and development

• emergency response and early warning for hydro/meteorological disasters

• Member countries and SPC are able to demonstrate improvements in hydrogeological monitoring and reporting with improvements in water security and sanitation

• Water resource data sets and information needs improved and with greater accessibility

• Technical and administrative requirements of projects are delivered as agreed and within time to a standard which meets expectations of SPC, and project partners

• Geophysical surveys are undertaken in an efficient way producing high quality data with confidence in analysis and interpretation of results.

• Timely response and advice to countries and SPC on hydrometeorological disasters

2. Groundwater Modelling

• Review and prepare datasets for use in existing and new numerical and analytical groundwater models as required

• Develop conceptual models supported by observations, experience and available literature on groundwater systems encountered in the Pacific.

• Development of appropriate groundwater models (analytical, numerical) and model scenarios as required

• Undertake calibration of existing and new groundwater models

• Coordinate abstraction optimization, identifying optimal abstraction locations, sustainable yield rates and social and cultural constraints to abstractions.

• Review existing and proposed management options for improved sustainability and access to water supplies from groundwater in Pacific Island settings.

• Develop pragmatic approaches and operational options for groundwater development and management supported by modelling results.

• Provide input to support cost benefit analysis as required.

• Datasets for model requirements are available in formats and to accuracy and frequency suitable for inclusion into the groundwater models.

• Conceptual models developed are adopted by country counterparts and peers.

• Appropriate groundwater models are developed based on need, budget and availability to datasets in a timely manner.

• Calibrated groundwater models of appropriate scale reflect historical groundwater conditions observed under a range of scenarios, and accepted by peers.

• Scenarios are generated which reflect the different rainfall, land use and abstraction scenarios encountered and which countries require.

• Technical and management options for improved access and sustainability from freshwater lenses is developed, presented and accepted by countries/communities.

• Groundwater models results guide advisory groups on future management options for improved protection and efficiency of abstraction under a range of climate scenarios.

• Cost benefit analysis on future development and management options can be developed in response to modelling results.

3. Project Management

• Responsible for the development, scheduling and implementation of water resources monitoring and assessment activities, logistics, work plans, and project proposals

• Preparation of contracts and TOR’s for development and delivery of water resource activities in accordance with SPC protocols

• Maintain financial and administrative records in accordance with contractual requirements and to the satisfaction of programme and divisional managers

• Ensure administrative and procurement procedures are undertaken in accordance with SPC and donor protocols and requirements.

Project associated activities and other functions implemented in accordance with work plans and to satisfaction of the Water Resources Assessment and Monitoring Coordinator and Programme Director.

Consultancies are well managed and in accordance with SPC procedures.

Projects administrative requirements are satisfactorily met in accordance with contractual requirements Procurement and financial activities are undertaken according to SPC policies. Financial and administrative records are well maintained and securely and accessibly archived.

4. Networking and Communications

• Establish and develop effective communication and relationships within member countries, development partners, and SPC to promote water resource assessment and development for the region.

• Ensure accurate, audience focused sensitive water resource information is accessible and available to a wide variety of relevant stakeholders.

• Support strategic communications to promote the application and awareness of water resource information in line with regional strategies.

Project counterparts, associated agencies and ministries, community, member countries, regional agencies, and development partners, are aware of project activities and the support provided.

Relationships are cultivated resulting in long term effective communications with country counterparts and other stakeholders to the mutual benefit of all.

Water information is archived according to SPC formats which promotes security and accessibility of data.

Information provided in a timely manner upon request in formats understanding at both the community and technical level

Strategic communications supported

Information products are accessible and relevant to communities and island councils

5. Capacity Building

• Actively support and encourage the development of capacity building to strengthen the long-term capacity of country counterparts to undertake water resources monitoring and assessment and application of groundwater modelling through on the job training and specially designed training.

• Actively develop capacity building and teamwork across SPC and with counterparts in integrated strategic approach

• Design and implement training and development of water resources staff within SPC and member countries in hydrogeology, groundwater modelling, geophysics and other water resource assessment and analysis skills

Water resource monitoring, assessment, and groundwater modelling skills including data management, analysis, and reporting skills are demonstrably improved within SPC and country counterparts.

Improved technical capacity developed within SPC and project recipients for hydrogeology, groundwater modelling, geophysics

6. Reporting

• Periodic reporting on the contribution and achievements of WRAM initiatives against project and WSP reporting requirements.

• Provision of high quality technical reports ensuring SPC standards are met for publication and that these standards are extended across to the SPC WRAM team

• Financial and narrative reporting for projects

Reporting is provided in accordance with Project and SPC requirements

High quality timely technical reports produced in accordance with SPC standards and within expected timeframes.

Financial and narrative reporting as per project requirements provided in timely manner to client expectations

Note The above performance standards are provided as a guide only. The precise performance measures for this position will need further discussion between the jobholder and supervisor as part of the performance development process.

Work Complexity:

Most challenging duties typically undertaken: Maintaining technical input to a high standard in the absence of easily accessible peer support

and in difficult field conditions

Ensuring technical advice is relevant to the needs and requirements of countries

Preparation and analysis of historical datasets for groundwater modelling

Managing reporting requirements and technical activities across a number of projects with competing needs

Managing multiple tasks in terms of efficiency, accuracy and timeliness under frequently demanding circumstances

Functional Relationships & Relationship Skills:

Key internal and/or external contacts Nature of the contact most typical

External - CROP agencies, UN agencies, donors, member countries

Ensure that project objectives are being progressed. Technical support Promotion of regional strategies and initiatives Maintaining professional relationships with other technical practioners

Internal – Sectors within SPC Division Other WSP staff

Develop linkages with other projects and activities coordinate these actions for the benefit of projects and countries Provide strategic advice on project activities Reporting on the technical and management issues with SPC managers Technical support with other professional staff

Level of Delegation: The position holder:

- Routine Expenditure Budget: 0 Euro

- Budget Sign off Authority without requiring approval from direct supervisor: 500 Euro

**** No need to mention SPC instrument of delegation authorities here****

This section is designed to capture the expertise required for the role at the 100% fully effective level. (This does not necessarily reflect what the current position holder has.) This may be a combination of knowledge / experience, qualifications or equivalent level of learning through experience or key skills, attributes or job specific competencies. Person Specification:

Qualifications

Essential: Desirable: A postgraduate qualification MSc, PhD (and/or equivalent work experience) in one or more of the following: hydrology/hydrogeology, groundwater modelling, water resources engineering or a related field.

Qualifications and/or equivalent work experience) in one or more of the following fields: natural resource management, groundwater modelling, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), water supply/sanitation engineering, emergency response in WASH

Knowledge / Experience

Essential: - At least 7 years of experience in water resource assessment and monitoring.- Demonstrated experience in the use and application of groundwater modelling, of commonly used groundwater simulation packages such as MODFLOW, SEAWAT, and SUTRA.- Demonstrated experience in the application, design, analysis and interpretation of geophysics for groundwater assessments.- Experienced in the application of hydrological data to develop information products. - Demonstrated experience of hydrologic databases. - Excellent communication and report writing skills. - Demonstrated project management and organisational skills, including an ability to establish priorities and to meet project deadlines and objectives.- Experience in analysis and interpretation of climate information. - Demonstrated experience of working and managing projects in remote locations.

Desirable: - GIS skills. - Programing skills, including coding with Python. - Experienced with hydrological databases e.g. TIDEDA, and data management - Familiarity of the role of water and sanitation in a range of Pacific Island environments - Experience in hydro-chemistry and/or isotope hydrology. - Experience in groundwater management - Pacific region work experience - Development of drought management strategies - Financial management experience

Key Skills /Attributes / Job Specific Competencies The following levels would typically be expected for the 100% fully effective level: Expert level Hydrogeology in island settings

Advanced level Advanced knowledge and experience of water resources assessment and monitoring Advanced knowledge in the application and use of numerical groundwater modelling in coastal and island settings Programing skills, including coding with Python Project management skills Hydrological data management Advanced data analysis skills Advanced technical reporting skills Advanced geophysics suitable for groundwater assessment Analysis of climate information Computer skills including data handling and the use of word processing, spreadsheet and database applications with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Working Knowledge

Design and construction of sustainable water abstraction technologies suitable for remote locations Water and sanitation needs in developing countries in particular Pacific island countries WASH in emergency situations Skills and toolkits associated with effective community consultation and outreach

Awareness

Alternative water and sanitation options applicable in the pacific such as RWH, desalination, alternative sanitation technologies.

Key Behaviours All employees are measured against the following Key Behaviours as part of Performance Development: Change and Innovation Interpersonal Skills Teamwork Promotion of Equity and Equality Judgement Building Individual Capacity Personal Attributes Physically fit The ability to work unsupervised Clear and effective communicator Good leadership and supervisory skills. Motivational skills with professional initiative and good work ethics. Ability to think and act on initiative with consultation Ability to draft succinct, comprehensive and relevant reports. Cultural and gender sensitivity Ability and willingness to assist with a variety of other tasks and a flexible approach towards

working within a team environment

Change to Job Description:

From time to time it may be necessary to consider changes in the job description in response to the changing nature of our work environment – including technological requirements or statutory changes. Such change may be initiated as necessary by the Director Corporate Services. This Job Description may be reviewed as part of the preparation for performance planning for the annual performance cycle. Approved:

Manager/Supervisor Date

Employee Date