SDG Indicator 6.3.2 Specialist

Result of ServiceBuilding on Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the indicator implementation. Revisions of existing and new indicator monitoring methodologies, especially for Level 2 reporting, including on citizen science, and Earth observation which will result in additional information and data to be made available for the indicator. Work Locationhome-based Expected duration12 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground and Organizational Settings The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP’s Early Warning and Assessment Division (EWAD) is responsible for analyzing the state of the global environment, providing early warning information, and assessing global and regional environmental trends to catalyze and promote international cooperation and action on the environment. Through this, the EWAD works to provide timely, scientifically credible, policy-relevant environmental assessments, data and information for decision-making and action planning for sustainable development. It also spearheads UN-wide monitoring and reporting on the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The GEMS/Water Programme within the Global Environment Monitoring Systems and Early Warning for Environment Unit of the Early Warning and Assessment Division supports UN Member States in developing their water quality monitoring and assessment capacities to improve the knowledge of status and trends of freshwater resources worldwide. Through the UN-Water Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6 (IMI-6), the United Nations seeks to support countries in monitoring water- and sanitation-related issues within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and in compiling country data to report on global progress towards SDG 6. Phase 1 (2015-2018) of the Initiative brought together eight UN agencies to cover the seven global indicators under SDG 6 targets 6.3 (wastewater and water quality), 6.4 (water use), 6.5 (water resources management), and 6.6 (water-related ecosystems). In addition to WHO, UN-Habitat, and UNEP, the agencies included the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This consultancy pertains particularly to SDG indicator 6.3.2: “Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality”. This indicator is under the custodianship of the Global Environment Monitoring System for Freshwater (GEMS/Water) Programme at UNEP and asks countries to compare in-situ monitoring data of rivers, lakes/reservoirs and groundwater with certain target values. In 2017, the UN Environment Programme conducted a data drive for the indicator and received responses from 52 countries out of 193 UN Member States. Following the third data drive in Phase 3 (2023), during which the number of submissions increased to 120, the Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators reclassified indicator 6.3.2 as Tier 1: Indicator is conceptually clear, established methodology and standards available and data regularly produced by countries. Planning for the second data drive of Phase 3 (2026) is underway with the goal to further increase the number of countries reporting, and to identify further embed the indicator data into national policy frameworks. 1.1 Explain the requirement for a consultant / individual Under the supervision of the Head of Global Environment Monitoring Unit, Early Warning and Assessment Division, and in close collaboration with the staff of the Unit, the home-based consultant will be in charge of planning and implementing the global data drive for SDG Indicator 6.3.2. The consultancy shall also include updating the support materials and providing capacity development where needed by countries to be able to report on the indicator. Further assignments will include the leading and coordination of the helpdesk functions of the SDG 6 process with individual member states, capacity development, and advise on data analytics and synthesis including new approaches (e.g. reuse and recalculation of existing data). (https://www.sdg6monitoring.org/indicators/target-63/indicators632/) Specific Tasks and Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Head of the Global Environment Monitoring Unit of the Early Warning and Assessment Division, the consultant will perform the following; (i) Development of an SDG 6.3.2 pre-data drive outreach package for the 2026 data drive: Deliverables: (i) Copies of updated documents and PowerPoint presentations (mid-January 2026) (ii) Maintain flow of country indicator submissions: Engage with countries on a continual basis to secure new submissions and updates for SDG indicator 6.3.2 at Level 1 and Level 2. (continuously) Deliverables: (i) Report on indicator reporting status (mid-2026) summarising the mid-year global reporting status. (ii) Report on indicator reporting status (November-2026) summarising the end of year global reporting status. (July 2026) (iii) Contributing (leading on the 6.3.2 part) to related and associated reports such as the SDG 6 Synthesis Report and additional requests as required. Deliverables: (i) Contributions to additional reports and outputs based on the SDG indicator 6.3.2 as required (September 2026) (iv) Provision of training and capacity development to countries on SDG indicator 6.3.2 Deliverables: (i) Copies of presentations and short meeting reports (continuously) (v) Creating global outreach: Attendance at relevant international water meetings such as Stockholm WWW or workshops as required. Deliverables: (i) Copies of presentations and short meeting reports. (as appropriate) (vi) Reporting and giving feedback: Attendance at relevant SDG 6 meetings as required. Deliverables: (i) Copies of presentations and short meeting reports for all SDG 6 meetings attended. (as appropriate) Qualifications/special skills• A master's degree in water quality, environmental sciences, and natural resources management is required. A Bachelor's degree in combination with two qualifying years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree. • At least seven years of professional experience in water quality monitoring or water resource management required; • A working knowledge of the methodology for SDG indicator 6.3.2 on ambient water quality required; • Experience of lead authorship and coordinating of international multi-author reports required; • Experience in capacity development for water quality in various formats desired LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN Language is desirable. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.