Land and Water Officer

Organizational Setting
The Land and Water Division (NSL) of FAO foresees a future whereby governments, development partners, civil society, academic institutions, and the private sector and farmers, all work together to ensure that land, soil, and water resources are wisely used, conserved, and restored for sustainable and resilient agrifood systems that support food security, nutrition, and human wellbeing. NSL provides policy guidance, technical and financial assistance to member countries in developing policies, programmes, best practices and management tools for ensuring productive and efficient use of land, soil and water resources to meet present and future demands for agricultural products, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of these resources. It promotes equitable access to and sustainable management of these natural resources with a view to enhancing productivity, livelihoods, equity, health and ecosystem services.
Under the new Strategy, NSL will work towards a core set of five integrated and strategic Objectives and Action Areas that have been elaborated to cut across the thematic areas of land, water, soils, and geospatial areas of work of the Division: (1) Good governance; (2) Wise use and restoration; (3) Mitigation and resilience; (4) Integrated solutions; (5) Data, digitalization, technology and innovation.

The post is located in the Land and Water Division (NSL) at FAO headquarters in Rome/Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Land and Water Officer (Water Infrastructure) reports to the Senior Land and Water Officer, NSL.

Technical Focus
Integrated water resources management, with focus on water infrastructures for rainwater harvesting, capture, storage, irrigation, drainage, flood control and other water services, and infrastructure investment and financing.

Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of cross-divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with cross-divisional objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in organization-wide, cross-departmental committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.

• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.

• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise.

• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.

• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to, and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.

• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.

• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions

• Contributes to the formulation, promotion, and application of management methods and approaches best suited to the achievement of sustainable agricultural production objectives and compatible with overall plans for multi-sectoral water resources development and conservation.

• Supports the design and implementation of studies, surveys and activities including topographical, geophysical, hydrochemical, hydrogeological and hydrological investigations for the location of water monitoring, exploitation, harvesting, or conservation site planning.

• Advises in management, institutional and human resources aspects of water infrastructure; i.e., irrigation, drainage, rainwater harvesting, capture, storage and in the examination of technical and socio-economic feasibility of development and investment proposals.

• Oversees/supports the design and implementation of the construction works, the operation and maintenance of equipment and the monitoring and evaluation of projects on the development of water infrastructure for surface and groundwater resources management.

• Provides and coordinates support to field programme activities involving water resources development and management, by assisting in the appraisal and formulation of programme and project proposals, direct technical assistance and advice, and the evaluation of ongoing and completed projects.

• Disseminates information on water resources management through the Division's Irrigation and Drainage reports and other technical publications, and through meetings, seminars, and training courses.

• Contributes to/supports the generation and analysis of data and information to improve the knowledge on water resources and reservoirs, and provide guidance on the sustainability threshold in the exploitation of the water resources and maintains regular collaboration with colleagues across various FAO units and Decentralized Offices to strengthen FAO's work on integrated water resources management.

• Contributes to the Division's efforts in planning, programming and implementation works.

• Performs other relevant duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in civil or agricultural engineering, with particular emphasis on water resources management.

• Seven years of relevant experience including supervisory positions in international organizations, government departments or private enterprises dealing with water development and management, including irrigation system management.

• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.

• Knowledge of water resources assessment/management tools and methods and related policies.

• Extent and relevance of experience in technical fields related to engineering design, construction and work supervision of water harvesting structures, irrigation and drainage systems.

• Extent and relevance of experience in conducting technical and feasibility studies of water infrastructure projects.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation and review of technical specifications of water infrastructure and irrigation projects.

• Extent and relevance of experience in leading, or participating in, multidisciplinary teams for the preparation of formulation, implementation support or evaluation of water, irrigation, drainage and rural infrastructure projects.

• Extent and relevance of experience in establishing partnerships and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, financing institutions, etc., for the development of water infrastructure projects.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement large-scale programmatic initiatives.

• Demonstrated ability to mobilize and manage extra-budgetary resources.

• Knowledge of system approaches and computer applications in water resources management studies.

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