Wastewater and Water Quality Data Technical Specialist SDG indicator 6.3.1

Result of ServiceTo have a project proposal in support of wastewater 2030 commitment with GWOPA and other donors. Work LocationNairobi Expected duration12 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the UN agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat is tasked to improve the access to sustainable wastewater management services by improving policies and guidelines in partnership with local, regional and national authorities, enhancing the enabling environment for investments in sustainable wastewater management services with a focus on urban areas of all sizes. The Urban Basic Services Section is responsible for the implementation of a Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) project on monitoring SDG 6, as part of the Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6 (GEMI) convened by UN-Water. GEMI is an inter-agency partnership comprising The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), The World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). As the agency in the UN system responsible for urban development, UN-Habitat has for many years been leading operational initiatives on urban water, sanitation and waste management. In addition to producing flagship publications such as the State of Water and Sanitation in the World's Cities and the Global Biosolid Atlas, it has developed monitoring tools such as the UN-Habitat Urban Inequities Surveys (UIS), which were used to monitor and report on the slum target under the MDGs. UN-Habitat continues to contribute experience on integration of national and local level data to strengthen progress estimates on SDG indicator 6.3.1 and in other relevant areas. In addition to leading the component on industrial wastewater and coordinating with WHO, which is leading the component on domestic wastewater, UN-Habitat has in-house expertise on WRM and water use efficiency in urban areas. Their contribution to include administrative data is supported by the UN-Habitat Global Water Operators' Partnership Alliance (GWOPA). Finally, UN-Habitat's extensive experience in urban monitoring, gained through the use of its UIS and other tools, will be drawn upon to support the proposed work. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant will be home-based and report to the Programme Officer responsible for the GEMI project within the Urban Basic Services Section. The Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: i. The consultant will work on the methodology (UN-Water guidance document for countries and metadata of indicator 6.3.1) for monitoring the flows of total and industrial wastewater generated and safely treated. This will be done in close collaboration with WHO and UNSD as co-custodian agencies for SDG 6.3.1, and in partnership with OECD and Eurostat. The consultant will be expected to consult with these and other relevant partners on (1) data collection process, (2) country data, and (3) comparison of metadata and terminology used in their questionnaires to contribute to harmonizing international wastewater data collection. The consultant will collaborate with these partners to increase the availability and quality of data to populate the SDG Indicator 6.3.1. through the UNSD/UNEP Questionnaire on Environment Statistics and through the OECD/Eurostat Joint Questionnaire on Inland Waters. ii. Work closely with SDG 6.3.1 co-custodian agencies WHO and UNSD in support of a coherent repository of monitoring information on the SDG 6.3.1 indicator. In this context, the consultant will review and exploit the wastewater data from relevant databases and check for data accuracy and consistency. Depending on available data, the consultant will be responsible to develop country flies, produce graphics, aggregate wastewater data by regions, build time series and ensure that the data is included in a global database used to determine SDG 6.3.1 progress. iii. Collect disaggregated wastewater data from at least 10-15 countries that are not currently reporting such data to aforementioned databases (UNSD/OECD/Eurostat), by working through official national SDG reporting mechanisms and other means. The consultant will advise countries to progressively align with international definitions and standards, by encouraging and assisting them in reporting to indicator 6.3.1 and to the existing international databases. iv. Contribute technical inputs in support of the 2024 SDG 6.3.1 indicator report, including updated statistical information, drafting of report sections and related documentation. This will require close collaboration with WHO and UNSD as co-custodian agencies for SDG indicator 6.3.1. v. Advise and actively participate in the meetings and activities conducted by UN-Water Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6 (IMI-SDG6) on cross-cutting analysis, outreach and use of SDG 6 data to inform target setting, policy, planning, investment and management of water resources at all levels; with the objective to coordinate and consolidate data-driven interlinkage analysis (including at basin level) and provide guidance to selected countries on cross-cutting and institutional issues. vi. Communication and outreach: Prepare and design of outreach materials for selected projects and activities of UN-Habitat and UN-Water on the topic of wastewater monitoring, as well as in the design and preparation of project proposals, publications, position papers and other internal and external communication products. vii. Discuss strategy and opportunities with partners and donors, develop project concept notes and proposals for further work, to mobilize resources to ensure project sustainability. Outputs/Work Assignment . Output 10 I. A project proposal in support of the wastewater 2030 commitment with GWOPA for possible support from the Government of France and other donors II. A project concept/position paper on addressing future water scarcity issues through enhanced wastewater reuse Output 7 III. Report on the harmonization between the different international methodologies and frameworks to report on wastewater statistics within the monitoring of the SDG indicator 6.3.1 on wastewater treatment; though the participation to online meetings with the three co-custodian agencies of the SDG indicator 6.3.1 (UN Habitat, WHO and UNSD) and other international partners (OECD, Eurostat, FAO); provide the minutes of the coordination meetings. IV. Report on revision and update of the metadata document for monitoring the SDG indicator 6.3.1. Output I. Report: Database with a consolidated network of overall, indicator-specific, and statistical country focal points, including through ongoing engagement, and update the SDG 6 focal points database accordingly. Report or evidence of the UN-Habitat wastewater questionnaire sent to all technical and overall focal points in order to launch the 2026 data drive. II. Report: A generic power point presentation on the 6.3.1 indicator report published in 2024, to present the methodology and the latest status of the reporting of the global volumes of wastewater treated and generated, including some countries’ examples on specific related monitoring issues. Output 1 – I. Report on selection of a pilot country to perform a research study to assess the current state of national Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from residential wastewater treatment plants. Preparation of the concept note with the activities needed to produce the deliverables for the Terms of Reference (ToR). II. Agreement of Cooperation (AoC) with the pilot country and provide guidance and support to produce a final report presenting the methodology leading to country-scale quantification of GHG emissions from Domestic wastewater treatments prepared. Output 5 I. Report on selection of a pilot country to perform a research study on Nature Based Solutions (NbS) for wastewater treatment. Concept note with the activities needed to produce the deliverables for the Terms of Reference (ToR) prepared. II. Agreement of Cooperation (AoC) with the pilot country provide guidance and support to produce a final report presenting the total number of plants in operation, the treated flow rate, and the technologies used to treat wastewater flows in NbS prepared. Output 9 I. Report on selection of a pilot country to perform a research study on wastewater reuse in water scarce context. Preparation of the concept note with the activities needed to produce the deliverables for the Terms of Reference (ToR). II. Agreement of Cooperation (AoC) with the pilot country prepared, report on guidance and support to produce a final report presenting the wastewater reuse flows, the technologies used, and the associated legislation regulating wastewater safe reuse prepared. Output 3 I. Report on participation to the different meetings, workshops and webinars organized by the Interlinkage Analysis and Country Engagement Working Groups, conducted by the UN-Water Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6 (IMI-SDG6). II. Report on the redaction of the 2025 SDG reports storyline (story line and glossy report) based on the Progress report published in 2024. Output 4 I. Report on an in-depth analysis of the flows of wastewater generated and treated from Europe, using the latest Eurostat data conducted, in order to understand the trends in the variables and volumes reported over the recent period in the region. II. Redaction of a short report presenting the results and lessons learned from the data analysis, supported by adapted graphics and figures. Output 2 I. Explore how Geographic Information System (GIS) can be used to respond to contemporary urban planning challenges, regarding wastewater management. II. Develop a concrete example to highlight how geographic information can be used in the context of wastewater management and urban planning. Output 11 I. Active support to the commitment that was made part of the UN 2023 Water Conference (SDGAction51746 Wastewater 2030: Striving for a circular economy in a climate-resilient world). II. Support the organization of an international event to support UN Member States reporting on the SDG indicator 6.3.1 on the proportion of wastewater treated. Output 12 Support communications, outreach and fundraising. Assist with the preparation and design of outreach materials for selected projects and activities of UN-Habitat and UN-Water on the topic of wastewater monitoring, as well as in the design and preparation of project proposals, publications, position papers and other internal and external communication and fundraising products. Discuss strategy and opportunities with partners and donors, develop project concept note or proposal for further work, to mobilize resources to ensure project sustainability. Output 8 I. In association with Global Cities Hub develop a dialog session/special event on wastewater II. Explore Human Rights issues related to wastewater treatment covering such issues as the regulation of wastewater reuse, provide a short report on the topic Qualifications/special skills1) Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Public health, or in a closely related field. A first degree with 7 years of qualifying experience will be accepted in lieu of an Advanced degree is required. 2) A minimum of fifteen (7) years' experience in environmental sciences, water resources management, or water and development, of which at least five years of experience in similar projects in the area of monitoring of basic services such as water, sanitation and hygiene or a closely related field is required. 3) Experience in the United Nations is regarded as an asset. 4) Experience in preparing scientific analysis on issues related to wastewater and water quality is required. 5) Experience in the use of office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and in monitoring, data and data management, and capacity development. 6) Experience in GIS in the urban context will be an additional asset 7) Strong understanding of technical issues in the area of wastewater management is an advantage. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral English is required. Working knowledge of other UN official languages 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.