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Joborganizational context: UNICEF’s West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO) based in Dakar, Senegal, is looking for a Pre- feasibility study and development of a road map to setup a groundwater access facility (GAFA) in the Sahel Region. Focusing on investment, data management, governance, and capacity strengthening and identification of up to 50 project pipelines.

How can you make a difference? 

Purposefor the job: The consultancy will appraise the relevance for the setup and implementation of the GAFA initiative in the Sahel region. It will focus on the three objectives below:

1. Identification of potential aquifers for GAFA implementation: preliminary overview and comprehensive assessment of (transboundary) aquifers in the Sahel. Inventory and mapping of aquifers and hydrogeological characteristics, groundwater utilization and demand analysis (irrigation, drinking water, industry, ecosystem support) based on water demand trends, stakeholders’ analysis (including the private sector), ongoing initiatives, governance mechanisms, map existing groundwater infrastructures and investment projects. This phase will also set the main criteria needed to harness groundwater resources in an environmentally sustainable manner and what constitute a set of critical complementary interventions required to ensure the sound and effective utilization of groundwater resources and their replenishment. The consultant will provide clear recommendations on where to start the GAFA initiative, based on situation analysis, complementarity with other initiatives, stakeholders’ analysis, potential for success, risks, potential interest of donors…

2. Feasibility Study and recommendations (SWOT Analysis). For the two most relevant aquifer zones identified in #1, conduct a