Job Posting: 13/Jan/2025
Closure Date: 27/Jan/2025, 11:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: FAIND
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: NPP (National Project Personnel)
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: India-New Delhi
Duration: 11 months on when actually employed basis
Post Number: N/A
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
The FAO is assisting the Ministry of Jal Shakti in implementing a modern irrigation system in India through the installation of ambitious Pressure Piped Irrigation Systems (PPIS) across several states. This initiative integrates fibre-optic infrastructure to enable digital agriculture, real-time water monitoring, and precision irrigation practices. While this advanced infrastructure is a critical step toward modernizing India’s irrigation systems, the success of these initiatives relies heavily on effective local governance and sustainable water management strategies. Recognizing this, the Ministry has requested FAO’s assistance in strengthening Water Users Associations (WUAs) to ensure community-based management of these systems. FAO will support the development of a smart irrigation strategy, including water allocation methods that ensure water use monitoring, equitable distribution, and efficient use of both surface and groundwater resources.
The program is in its early stages, with pilot projects being initiated and implemented in states like Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Haryana. It involves the modernization of the irrigation system in India through a Pressure Piped Irrigation infrastructure from the source to the farmers’ plots, equipped with smart digital technologies, including smart meters and real-time data dashboards to generate data, control and monitor water use, and inform decisions at various levels.
One of the key focus areas of the program is engaging with Water User Associations (WUAs) in the project locations and local institutions to build community ownership and responsibility for the management, maintenance, and distribution of water resources in the area. Strengthening the capacities of WUAs, building a strong governance structure, and identifying means and measures to help WUAs undertake overall resource management will be crucial for sustaining the outcomes. Another focus is the promotion of climate-smart agriculture, which will help farmers switch to and adopt conservation methods, optimize resources, and strengthen resilience in the agriculture sector. Thus, the success of the overall program is an interdependent relationship between the infrastructure, digital technology, community ownership, and regenerative climate-smart practices on the ground.
The position will be based in New Delhi and will support the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, working under the overall direction of the Commissioner of Irrigation.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in India and direct reporting to the National Project Manager and working in close coordination with the Technical Officers, FAOIN management and other project managers, the consultant will be placed in the Ministry of Jal Shakti, laterally reporting to the Irrigation Commissioner and working closely with other team members in the Ministry and other key stakeholders.
Technical Focus
Design and implement identified components of the projects under FAO-Ministry partnership including analysis of data to provide timely and evidence-based reports to inform program decisions.
Tasks and responsibilities
Overall
• Provide overall technical support and assistance for preparing the pilot projects under the irrigation project. Offer technical guidance, ensure the quality of work, and guarantee timely delivery of outputs.
• Maintain close coordination among FAO, the Ministry, the project implementation team, and other executing and implementing agencies.
• Review policy guidelines and institutional strengthening efforts undertaken within the project and integrate these into the project design.
• Conduct periodic monitoring and reviews of project progress, focusing on milestone achievements. Report on performance in terms of scope, time, and cost management. Identify potential risks and suggest cost-effective mitigation strategies.
• Develop a procedure and standard for thorough project documentation and reporting throughout the development, implementation, and post-implementation phases. Ensure that all lessons and experiences from project and contract implementation are well-documented for future capitalization and adaptation.
Climate Resilience
• Conduct studies and analyses to incorporate climate change adaptation measures into the project scope and design.
• Review the integration of climate-friendly sustainable agriculture practices among water users and farmers in the project area to develop synergies with the project.
• Prepare a knowledge product focused on integrating climate resilience considerations into irrigation investments in India.
• Coordinate and liaise with the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the project implementation team, and other relevant stakeholders such as the Agriculture Department, Horticulture Department, and district administration to incorporate lessons and capacity-building measures for gender and climate change into the project design and gender action plan.
• Develop capacity-building plans to inform and educate farmers in the project area about sustainable agriculture practices.
• Identify and facilitate the rollout of an appropriate Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system for sustainable agriculture in the project area.
• Explore and develop linkages with value chain actors and carbon markets for sustainable agricultural produce from the project area.
Water Management and Community Ownership
• Identify and propose options for improving on-farm water management practices through community participation and Water User Associations (WUAs).
• Suggest designs and options for establishing and strengthening community participation by creating and enhancing WUAs in the project area.
• Study, identify, analyse, and present management options to ensure the sustainability of the irrigation project through community ownership and WUAs, particularly in terms of maintenance and management of irrigation assets and water usage.
• Study and propose management options for integrating WUAs with farmers’ collectives to ensure the long-term sustainability and viability of community ownership of irrigation assets and operations.
• Lead the development of capacity-building and skill development modules for training WUA and Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) leadership by identifying expert institutions and piloting and scaling training workshops.
Digital Technology and Data Management
• Review the existing data collection, communication, and processing systems of the project, including smart digital solutions for monitoring user-level water consumption.
• Suggest options and mechanisms to develop a Water Management Information System (WMIS) dashboard as a decision support system for the Ministry of Jal Shakti, to collect, process, and disseminate data to stakeholders.
• Identify and analyse appropriate smart solutions, considering the user-friendliness of such technology-driven applications, and provide a comparative report to the program management.
• Pilot test smart technologies and digital solutions, assess their operational efficiency and relevance, and provide critical feedback to the program management unit.
• Design and develop capacity-building materials and tools to inform and educate stakeholders on the use of data and decision support systems.
• Analyse and identify trends and lessons from the data, developing evidence-based knowledge to inform decisions at various levels.
• Explore pathways to link water use data to national data systems like Agri Stack.
Miscellaneous
• Participate in official meetings to represent FAO when requested by the FAOIN leadership.
• Coordinate with the FAO Country Office, FAO Lead Technical Officers (LTOs), other National Experts.
• Any other duties assigned by the FAOIN leadership.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced degree in civil engineering, water resources, irrigation or sustainable development
• At least 10 years working experience in minor irrigation, water resource management or related fields with recognized technical expertise.
• Experience in management of water sector projects like smart irrigation systems, community governed water management systems, etc.
• Working knowledge (level C) of spoken and written English is essential and working proficiency in Hindi is desirable.
• National of India.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Experience working with government agencies on development projects.
• Extensive experience managing complex projects at national and regional levels.
• Experience in capacity building for water user collectives.
• Knowledge and experience in sustainable agriculture.
• In-depth understanding of digital technology adoption in water management and decision support systems.
• Strong technical knowledge and management skills, including the ability to provide strategic guidance, technical oversight, mentor staff, build strong teams, develop work plans, and manage budgets and project expenditures.
• Excellent multicultural and interpersonal skills, with experience networking with partners at all levels (ministries, donors, private sector, NGOs, and local community-based organizations).
• Experience working with international and donor organizations (e.g., World Bank, IFAD, Asian Development Bank) on the implementation of participatory projects.
• Proven written, analytical, computing, presentation, and reporting skills.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
- For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
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