Call for Experts: DRRS Ecuador – Puerto el Carmen de Putumayo

Background
On 17 July 2026, the Municipality of Puerto El Carmen de Putumayo and Hospital San Miguel – Quina Care Foundation requested support from the Dutch Disaster Risk Reduction & Surge Support (DRRS) Programme to address rapidly worsening riverbank erosion threatening Puerto El Carmen and critical infrastructure.

Since the Putumayo River changed course in 2010, severe riverbank erosion has damaged and destroyed riverbank protection, the drinking water intake and infrastructure along the river walkway. Erosion has now reached the grounds of Hospital San Miguel, where buildings have already collapsed into the river, placing the main hospital building and an essential health facility at risk.

An initial DRRS scoping found that the river alongside Puerto El Carmen has significantly increased in width and flow capacity and that the town is now located on the outside of a highly curved meander bend. This has resulted in increased erosive forces along the riverbank. The river is also the national border between Ecuador and Colombia, which adds complexity to the situation.

Several potential strategies have been identified, including riverbank protection, redirecting flow near the riverbank, redirecting the main flow of the Putumayo River, or partially retreating from the riverbank. Further technical and governance assessment is required to understand the feasibility and implications of these options and to support the Municipality and other stakeholders in determining a way forward.

Objectives
The objective of the assignment is to further assess the river dynamics and erosion processes affecting Puerto El Carmen and its surroundings, with special attention to the feasibility of potential short- and long-term risk reduction measures.

The experts will contribute to:
•    Further analysing the river dynamics and erosion processes, including the interaction between the Putumayo and San Miguel Rivers;
•    Assessing the feasibility and potential effects of identified intervention options;
•    Identifying key data gaps, uncertainties and additional investigations or modelling required;
•    Providing practical advice on possible short- and long-term risk reduction measures and next steps;
•    Supporting stakeholder discussions with Ecuadorian and Colombian stakeholders;
•    Identifying relevant institutional, stakeholder and governance considerations that may influence the feasibility and implementation of potential interventions.

All activities will be undertaken under the direction and guidance of the DRRS team leader.

Required expertise
Based on the available information, the following expert profiles have been identified for this assignment.

General requirements
•    Able to rapidly assess situations and data and provide conceptual and practical solutions;
•    Experience in and knowledge of the relevant local/regional context;
•    Ability to act as a relevant sparring partner for local officials and provide feedback on existing plans and ideas, as well as input for suitable alternatives;
•    Excellent communication and reporting skills in English; Spanish is preferred;
•    Familiarity and practical experience with climate adaptation;
•    Familiarity and practical experience with complex governance systems;
•    Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team;
•    Political and institutional sensitivity.

Governance Expert
Based on the available information and the objectives of the assignment, governance expertise has been identified as relevant for this assignment.

The governance expert will support the team in understanding the institutional and stakeholder context, facilitate technical discussions where relevant, provide advice on social and governance dynamics between stakeholders, and support consideration of potential regional, national and international donors. Relevant experience in the Ecuadorian and Colombian context, stakeholder engagement and governance of water- or climate-related challenges is considered an asset.

River Modelling Expert
•    Junior to mid-level expert in hydrology, hydraulic engineering, river modelling or water resources management;
•    Practical experience with hydraulic and/or morphodynamic river modelling, preferably relating to planform changes, river training and riverbank erosion;
•    Experience with relevant modelling tools;
•    Good understanding of river hydraulics, morphology, sediment transport and erosion processes;
•    Ability to analyse hydrological, hydraulic, topographical and GIS data and identify data gaps and uncertainties;
•    Ability to translate modelling results into practical advice on flood risk and river management;
•    Strong analytical and communication skills in English; Spanish is preferred;
•    Maximum 12–14 working days.

A potential candidate for this position has already been identified. However, we remain interested in receiving CVs from other experts who may be interested and available for this assignment.

Geotechnical/Waterworks Engineer
•    Expert in geotechnical, civil or hydraulic engineering, with experience in water-related infrastructure;
•    Practical experience with riverbank erosion, bank stability, dredging, earthworks, river training and riverbank protection measures;
•    Experience assessing the feasibility and risks of waterworks and riverbank interventions;
•    Good understanding of geotechnical and hydraulic conditions relevant to riverbank stability;
•    Ability to assess and compare engineering and nature-based solutions, including maintenance and implementation considerations;
•    Strong analytical and communication skills in English; Spanish is preferred;
•    Maximum 5 working days.

Timeline 
The assignment is scheduled to start as soon as possible, between October – December 2026.
The work will primarily be conducted remotely, depending on the security situation and further assessment.

Interested?
Please send the following to drrs@rvo.nl by Wednesday October 14th COB at the latest:
1.    An updated CV;
2.    A brief motivation letter;
3.    The title of the position you are applying for;
4.    Your availability.

Contracting of experts will be conducted by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl).

We strongly encourage a diverse set of candidates to apply, as we are committed to fostering gender diversity and inclusion in DRRS. Moreover, we stimulate national experts to become part of our database and to apply for vacancies.

At RVO we are fully committed to creating a safe and respectful work environment. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment (PSEAH). All deployees/experts must adhere to the Code of Conduct, which outlines ethical standards and behaviours expected within our organization. Successful candidates will be required to uphold these principles and participate in mandatory PSEAH and CoC training as part of their onboarding process.