Hydrology Advisor

Duty Station: Home based

Posting End Date: 10-Sep-2026

Role Purpose

Reporting directly to the Senior Portfolio Manager who leads the team, the candidate provides authoritative technical advice, elaborates complex environmental data, and delivers high-quality specialized outputs. The role involves solving complex, data-scarce hydrological challenges, ensuring the climate-proofing of specialized infrastructure designs, and informing regional water security strategies.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Technical Expertise

• Provide specialist technical advice and strategic design support in the hydrological sectors across the hydrological, water resources, and climate change adaptation sectors.
• Assist, guide, and verify climate-resilient methodologies are implemented ensuring infrastructures are designed to withstand extreme weather events, long-term climate shifts, and altered hydrological regimes.
• Support decision-support systems for optimal, conflict-sensitive water allocation, balancing ecosystem needs with agricultural, domestic, and energy demands. .
• Ensure all technical designs and assessments align with international quality standards and UNOPS technical infrastructure guidelines.

2. Monitoring and Reporting

• Actively engage with the broader team and all relevant stakeholders on data collection, field verification, and hydro-meteorological modeling .
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of implementation plan progress.
• Prepare and submit technical reports, risk logs, and issue briefs summarizing the progress of hydrological tasks to the Senior Portfolio Manager
• Work closely with the Senior Portfolio Project Manager to provide rapid technical responses and adapt methodologies to emerging project and regional environmental needs.

3. Knowledge Sharing and Knowledge Building

• Support team multi disciplinary collaboration and share advanced knowledge on:
• Macro and micro-level hydrological assessments and multi-scenario baseline modeling. - Downscaling global climate models (GCMs) and regional climate models (RCMs) to evaluate long-term impacts on catchments and infrastructure lifespans. - Distributed hydrological modeling for simulating complex processes in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). - Hydro-meteorological forecasting, impact-based early warning systems (EWS), and real-time flash flood/drought monitoring. - Incorporating Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) alongside traditional infrastructure. - Quantifying uncertainty, sensitivity analysis, and managing data-scarce environments common in fragile contexts.

4. Technical Portfolio & Team Support

• Support the Senior Portfolio Project Manager from a technical viewpoint to review, pitch, and deliver multifaceted projects with heavy hydrological or climate-adaptation components.
• Support the Senior Portfolio Project Manager in coordinating the technical work of the team; technically supervise and coach the team during the implementation phase.
• Ensure principles of human rights, gender equity, peace, voice, accountability, ‘doing no harm,’ and aid effectiveness in all activities

Skills

Capacity Building, Climate Change, Geographic Information Systems, Hydrology, Water Resource Management

Education Requirements

Required

• Master's degree or equivalent in Hydrology, Water Resources Engineering, Hydro-climatology, Environmental Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience on the subject;

Desired

• Ph.D. in Hydrology, Hydraulic Engineering, or Water Resources Management with a climate focus.

Experience Requirements

Required

• A minimum of 7 years of combined relevant experience in: Hydrological modeling development in the engineering sector;
• Climate change impact evaluations on large hydraulic infrastructures and/or catchments; and Real-time drought and flood forecasting.

Desired

• Experience in risk assessment of water systems.
• Experience in teaching, conducting applied research, and/or capacity building in the hydrological engineering sector.
• Author or co-author of articles published in international peer-reviewed journals or proceedings of international conferences in the hydrological sector.

Language Requirements

English: Fluent proficiency level required

Job Highlight

This role offers a unique opportunity to provide regional technical expertise and pioneer climate-resilient water engineering solutions within the Horn of Africa. Working under the leadership of the Senior Portfolio Manager, you will integrate climate change adaptation and disaster mitigation strategies into major infrastructure portfolios, shaping sustainable water governance, and building robust institutional capacity in a region acutely impacted by climate variability and environmental fragility.

Opportunities for learning and growth

• Commitment to Excellence: Our support extends to all personnel at every level of the organization.
• Ongoing Development: We provide ongoing opportunities to help our people learn, develop, and excel at their jobs.
• State-of-the-Art Learning: Access a wide range of learning through our blended learning programmes, covering Leadership development and Personal and professional development.
• Key Credentials: Opportunities to benefit from Internationally recognized technical certifications and Membership to professional associations in various areas.
• Internal Culture: We foster an environment that encourages and supports knowledge sharing and collaboration