WASH Officer – Hydrogeology

La mission fondamentale de l’UNICEF est de promouvoir les droits de chaque enfant, partout, dans tout ce que l’Organisation fait – à travers les programmes, les plaidoyers et les opérations. La stratégie d’équité, soulignant les enfants et familles les plus défavorisés et exclus, traduit cet engagement en faveur des droits des enfants en action. Pour l’UNICEF, l’équité signifie que tous les enfants ont l’opportunité de survivre, de se développer et d’atteindre leurs pleins potentiels, sans discrimination, préjugé ou favoritisme. Dans la mesure où tout enfant a une chance inégale dans la vie – dans une dimension sociale, politique, économique et civique – ses droits sont enfreints. Il y a de plus en plus d’évidences pour la santé, l’éducation et la protection des citoyens les plus défavorisés d’une société – luttant contre les inégalités – non seulement vont donner l’opportunité de réaliser leur potentiel à plus d’enfants, mais aussi vont conduire à une croissance soutenue et à la stabilité des pays. C’est pourquoi la concentration sur l’équité est si vital. Ceci accélère le progrès vers la réalisation des droits humains de tous les enfants, qui est le mandat universel de l’UNICEF, comme décrit dans la Convention relative aux droits des enfants, tout en soutenant le développement équitable des nations.

Nationally, Madagascar is not a water-poor country on paper, but the reality is that water, over time and geographically, is not distributed equitably, which is compounded by a lack of appropriate infrastructure and poor water management and governance.

This inequity in the distribution of water resources is manifested with ample rainfall in the East of the country, resulting often in flooding, with the opposite extreme in the south, with frequent drought. Erratic precipitation and drought affect groundwater availability and community well-being in southern Madagascar, with a series of dramatic drought events, the latest during 2021-2022.

20% of water supplies in Madagascar come from groundwater. With the growing population, the reliance on and importance of accessible freshwater supplies is growing, given its often easier access, protection from floods and droughts, and ability to buffer against long-term climate change impacts. With a growing population, there's increasing pressure to further exploit groundwater to reach developmental goals, potentially impacting socio-economic growth and environmental security. To support the analysis of existing data available for groundwater monitoring and surface water monitoring, and suggest additional measures for strengthening the monitoring of groundwater and surface water in Madagascar.

The overall objective of the deployment will be to collate all available existing hydrogeological and hydrological data, and climate variability data, as part of a baseline study on water resources nationally. The baseline data will result in the production of an updated hydrogeological map at the hydrological basin levels and, in doing so, identify gaps in both knowledge on surface and groundwater monitoring networks and also the capacity of partners to allow a comprehensive long-term monitoring framework to be developed. This monitoring framework will be intrinsically linked to governance structures from the local level, building on the existing community development charter (CDC) from which water user associations exist, to the sub-basin and basin level management authorities, inclusive of both Provincial (PRD) and Urban Water Authorities, to the national level Ministries (MRRD, MEWs, etc.). Furthermore, the Volunteer will work closely with national stakeholders to ensure the capacity can be built.

Under the direct supervision of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL ) Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Baseline Understanding of Surface and Groundwater from Existing Data
• Inventory of all existing hard copy and online reports, papers, theses as part of comprehensive literature research;
• Review of all relevant documentation with a synthesis report on the understanding of surface and groundwater; and
• Catalogue of all reports to allow open access on any developed information management platform.

2. Collation of All Available Surface and Groundwater Information
• All surface water data, such as the location of stream gauges, flow data, surface water quality, etc.;
• Meteorological data, including the location of climate stations and historical and present data of available parameters;
• Groundwater data, including location of all boreholes with lithological logs, test pumping, water chemistry, and, if possible, monitoring data on flow, water level, and field-measured water quality (electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and temperature);
• Geology maps and cross-sections at any scale; and
• Hydrogeology maps and cross-sections at any scale.

3. Collation of All Available Surface and Groundwater Use Information
• Establish approximate water use as a volume (million cubic meters (Mm3)) at the hydrological basin level of both surface and groundwater by all sectors—domestic (rural and urban), agriculture (subsistence and broad scale), industry, and groundwater-dependent ecosystems—thereby developing a water balance across watersheds and aquifers;
• Forecast water demand for each sector; and
• Document hazards to water supply as part of comprehensive risk analysis, focusing on high to very high risks. Such information would include land uses and the risks they pose (over abstraction, use of pesticides), urbanization (over abstraction, unregulated drilling and use of water, and complex contamination to water sources), mining, and groundwater under direct influence (GUDI ) wells.

4. Catalogue/Map All Relevant Partners in the Water Sector and Initiate a Working Group
• Collate all information on relevant ministries and partners with a vested interest in water;
• Define their respective accountability with respect to water, including roles and responsibilities;
• Assess their respective technical and institutional capacities in water assessments, management, monitoring, and governance; and
• Organize regular meetings involving key identified stakeholders.

5. Develop Updated Maps, Database, and Report on Findings
• Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), develop an updated hydrogeological map identifying the location of principal and local aquifers with their type (unconfined, semi-confined, or confined), relative productivity (low, moderate, or high), and vulnerability (low, medium, or high). The map should also indicate regional groundwater flow from recharge to discharge areas;
• Develop a well-structured database aligned with existing ones; and
• Report on findings, gaps, priorities, recommendations, and work plan and budget to provide the basis for a national-level workshop on water scarcity and governance.

During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with their direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check‑ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.