Organizational SettingThe Land and Water Division aims at enhancing agricultural productivity and advancing the sustainable use of land and water resources through improved management, development and conservation of natural resources. It addresses the challenges member countries face in ensuring productive and efficient use of land and water resources in order to meet present and future needs for agricultural products and ensuring the long-term sustainability of these resources in both quantity and quality terms. It promotes the equitable access to these natural resources with a view to enhancing productivity, supporting livelihoods and resilience, and providing ecosystem services. The Division provides assistance to member countries in developing policies, programmes, best practices and tools in the fields of irrigation and drainage, soil and water conservation, drought mitigation, flood prevention, water governance, natural resource access, improvement of markets, and supports the overall achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The post is located in the FAO HQ, Rome, ItalyReporting Lines
The Land and Water Officer reports to the Deputy-Director, under the overall guidance of the Director of the Land and Water Division and will work/coordinate closely with members of all the division
Technical Focus
The incumbent will support the implementation of integrated water resources management (IWRM) with understanding of water-energy-food nexus policies, irrigation, drainage, hydrogeology, and the interconnectedness of groundwater and surface-water resources in agriculture water development in sustainable agriculture
Key Results
Research, technical analysis, and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products, and services.
Key Functions
• Researches and analyzes technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services;
• Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages;
• Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects;
• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases;
• Participates on multi-disciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other departments and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices;
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development 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 knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations;
• Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.Specific Functions
• Supports and coordinates activities carried out by the Land and Water division related to complex studies on water use for agriculture and its consequence for the availability and conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources; capable of interpreting hydrologic factors to inform policy.
• Develops policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and reduced malnutrition in optimal and sustainable water resources management (both surface and groundwater) for supporting organizational strategies and objectives.
• Conducts economic appraisals/analyses and develop long-term planning for programs in agriculture, water, and resilience systems.
• Identifies, develops, tracks, and supports the division in new opportunities in the area of water-food-energy nexus, irrigation/drainage, resilient agriculture and sustainable water resources management, and articulates impact and learning across the division’s portfolio.
• Initiates project concept development, project proposals, and responds to issues associated with agriculture water policy to support member countries; able to work with various stakeholders and institutional frameworks, including government structures and their regulations;
• Conducts analyses for development of policy recommendations through evidence-based and stakeholder engagement processes towards sound water governance for sustainable agriculture.
• Generates, writes and presents technical reports and policy documents; and participates in advisory services and analytic studies on water resources planning and policy development
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWINGMinimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in water resources management, natural sciences, hydrogeology, or related fields
• Five years of relevant experience in irrigation, drainage, and/or natural resources management, groundwater governance, and policy related activities
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous ImprovementTechnical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable
• Extent of knowledge of project cycle management and operation
• Extent and relevance of experience in water resources related activities, in particular irrigation water management, challenges and complexities in developing regions
• Extent of experience in project formulation, operation, monitoring and reporting, and ability to develop project proposals
• Extent of experience in participating in, or supervising, project teams
• Demonstrated level of initiative, ability to plan, evaluate and organize work independently
