Un consultant (mission courte durée) en eaux souterraines – gestion des ressources en eau-KOIKA Retour vers les opportunités

Un consultant (mission courte durée) en eaux souterraines – gestion des ressources en eau

GENERAL INFORMATION

Services/Work Description: Implementation of the “in-depth study” to check the potential cooperation projects between the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in the field of agriculture responding to climate change, smart farms and other potential fields.

Duty Station: Tunis, Tunisia (with field trips)

Type of the Contract: Short term contract (consultant)

M/D & Duration: 15 M/D (2025.10.11.-31 / Total duration)

Expected Start Date:              2025.10.11. (Sat)

BACKGROUND / RATIONALE

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) was established in 1991 by the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a government organization for Official Development Assistance (ODA) to improve the effectiveness of Republic of Korea’s grant assistance programs for developing countries by implementing government grant assistance and technical cooperation programs. Present in 44 countries, KOICA provides rich and authentic experiences of Korea’s economic development.

The areas of intervention of KOICA in Tunisia are:

• Governance and Democracy
• Environment, Climate change and Energy
• Job creation (for youth and women)
• Capacity building of public institutions
• Volunteer Program

KOICA is implementing projects in Tunisia focused on climate-responsive agriculture, improved water management, and environmental sustainability. Given that groundwater is a primary source of irrigation in Tunisia, its sustainable management is critical for ensuring the viability of agricultural investments and mitigating negative environmental and social impacts.

The consultant will provide specialized expertise on groundwater in the context of the ESIA, ensuring compliance with Tunisian legal frameworks and international safeguard standards.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SERVICE / WORK 

The objectives of this study are to:

• Provide expert technical analysis on groundwater quantity, quality, and sustainability related to project interventions.
• Support the KOICA expert team in integrating groundwater-related risks and mitigation strategies into the ESIA.
• Ensure that Tunisian groundwater legislation and international best practices are fully reflected in the ESIA outputs.
• Strengthen the project’s monitoring and evaluation framework with groundwater-related indicators. 

SCOPE OF THE WORK / METHODOLOGY / APPROACH OF THE SERVICE

The Job Description of the consultancy is: 

1. ESIA Analysis & Advisory

• Analyze and provide advisory about the ESIA to KOICA experts; conduct and assist field study activities on groundwater as requested.
• Collaborate with Korean experts to assess baseline hydrogeological conditions at the three project sites (Bizerte, Nabeul, Kairouan).
• Identify potential positive and negative impacts of project activities on aquifers (e.g., extraction pressure, recharge, contamination risk).

1. Policy, Legal and Institutional Review

• Review and provide analysis of Tunisian water laws, decrees, and groundwater protection regulations relevant to ESIA.
• Discuss with Korean experts the legal and administrative frameworks under which the ESIA is conducted.
• Benchmark against international best practices and propose compliance pathways.

1. Impact & Risk Assessment

• Conduct hydrogeological impact assessments (quantity, quality, recharge balance).
• Evaluate cumulative impacts with adjacent farms and aquifer users.
• Identify risks of salinization, pollution, or aquifer depletion, and propose mitigation measures.
• Provide analysis of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) regarding groundwater access and potential social impacts.

1. Field Work & Stakeholder Engagement

• Join KOICA experts in field visits, groundwater sampling, and stakeholder consultations.
• Document groundwater-related outcomes of stakeholder meetings (minutes + analysis).
• Act as liaison between KOICA experts, Tunisian ministries, local authorities, and water user associations.

1. Data & Reporting

• Provide timely inputs to the ESIA team, including:
  • Baseline groundwater data (levels, recharge, extraction, water quality).
  • Review of secondary sources and hydrological datasets.
  • SWOT analysis of groundwater sustainability for the project.
• Develop a Groundwater Section of the ESIA including methodology, results, risks, and recommendations.
• Provide recommendations for environmental & social indicators (including gender aspects, if relevant) to be included in the project’s monitoring matrix.

TENTATIVE TIME FRAME OF THE WORK / DELIVERABLES / OUTPUT

REPORTING / INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

Within the framework of the present mandate, the consultant will:

• Produce a final groundwater report of the in-depth study (in English).
• Provide Korean experts with needed documents during the implementation of the mission.
• Follow the instructions of KOICA Tunisia office, and reflect the feedbacks on each output(deliverable)

The work will be guided under the auspices of KOICA Tunisia office. However, the consultant will be expected to actively work with the Korean Expert team. 

EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in hydrogeology, groundwater engineering, or water resources management.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in groundwater monitoring, aquifer management, and ESIA processes.
• Proven knowledge of Tunisian groundwater systems and semi-arid hydrology.
• Experience with international donor-funded ESIA projects (World Bank, AfDB, EU, etc.).
• Excellent communication skills in English and French (Arabic is an asset).

COMPETENCIES:

• Flexibility to adapt to any subsequent changes in the terms of reference.
• Ability to provide general leadership and direction to the study/research analysis and report writing.
• Ability to undertake technical policy-focused research related to hydrogeology and water resources in agriculture field / smart farm concept.
• Excellent research competencies in the field of agriculture.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluent in English and French.

Note: The above-mentioned tasks to be performed are intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible specification as it may be modified following discussion with the selected consultant.

DOCUMENT TO SUBMIT:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English + references.
• Copy of the different certificates.

The fees will be calculated according to a daily rate and depends on KOICA Regulation.

Applications must be sent by 2025.10.10. (Fri) till 23:59 by email at the following address: koicaentunisie@gmail.com with “consultant KOICA – in-depth study agriculture” in subject.

For more details don’t hesitate to contact Mohamed Hassan – Senior Programme Officer at KOICA Tunisia Office:

mohamedhassan.koica@gmail.com

+216 99 27 58 03