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Job organizational 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? 

Purpose for the job: 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
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.

Background and Justification

Water scarcity remains one of the most pressing challenges in the Sahel region, affecting millions of people and limiting opportunities for economic growth, food security, health ecosystems and building climate resilience. Groundwater plays a crucial role in meeting the region’s water demands, yet its management remains fragmented, with inadequate infrastructure, limited investment, and insufficient data on availability and quality. Currently, only a limited proportion of Sub-Saharan Africa’s renewable groundwater resources are utilized. Research by the British Geological Survey (BGS) highlights that groundwater is Africa’s key to building climate adaptation capacity, provided that monitoring and governance structures are effectively established, and more certain knowledge of major aquifers is established. Approximately 70% of Africa relies on groundwater for domestic, agricultural, and industrial needs. With an estimated recharge capacity of 5,000 km³ per decade — equivalent to over 50% of Africa’s annual rainfall — the groundwater potential in West Africa