Organizational Setting

The Near East and North Africa (NENA) region is one of the most water-scarce areas in the world, where growing pressures from climate change, population growth, and competing demands for water threaten the sustainability of agriculture and food systems. In response, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched the Regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) Programme to support countries in strengthening governance, institutions, and technical capacities to improve the sustainable and integrated management of water resources.

A key component of the WSI programme is the promotion of policy coherence and institutional coordination between the water and agriculture sectors. Recognizing the fundamental interlinkage between water availability and food security, the WSI supports the Joint Water-Agriculture Intergovernmental Process, which was formalized in 2019 under the League of Arab States (LAS). This process provides a regional platform for countries represented by senior officials from ministries and stakeholders in both sectors to share experiences, identify common priorities, and work toward better policy development and coherence. This regional coordination mechanism was institutionalized through the Joint Ministerial Meetings (JMMs) between Arab Ministers of Water and Ministers of Agriculture. 
The first JMM, held in 2019 highlighted the need to enhance policy coherence and institutional coordination to improve cross-sector collaboration, to operationalize this goal, the High-Level Joint (Water-Agriculture) Technical Committee (HLJTC) was established as the technical arm of the JMMs. Since its inception, the HLJTC meetings have been held annually, producing technical recommendations on cross-cutting priority areas, including:

•     Operationalization of the Cairo Declaration 
•     Improved water allocation for agriculture
•     Use of non-conventional water resources
•     Improved data availability and access
•     Climate-resilient agricultural water-use

In this context, and under the framework of the WSI Programme, FAO intends to recruit Water Resources Management Specialists to support member countries in strategically planning their water resource management and allocation, adopting good practices to achieve water and food security, and strengthening regional cross-sector coordination mechanisms.

Reporting Lines

The Water Resource Management Specialists report to the Regional WSI Programme’s Lead Technical Officer, at FAO RNE. The incumbents will work in close collaboration with the Joint Technical Secretariat, comprising the Technical Secretariat of the Arab Ministerial Water Council and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, and/or with member countries to support the mandate of the HLJTC.

Technical Focus

The incumbents primary focus is to provide direct technical assistance and coordination support to the LAS in managing and advancing the Joint Water–Agriculture Intergovernmental Process, with the objective of enhancing institutional coordination, promoting greater policy coherence between the water and agriculture sectors, and implementing the recommendations raised by the HLJTC.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Water Resource Management Specialists will work under the guidance and direction of the WSI programme Lead Technical Officer and in collaboration with the FAO WSI team members and the Technical Secretariat of the Arab Ministerial Water Council. S/he will support the Joint Water-Agriculture Intergovernmental Process by performing the following duties, which are to be carried out either on site in Cairo or in countries of implementation:

•     Technical Advice and Support to the LAS on Water-Agriculture Issues:
    - Represent FAO in providing technical advisory support to LAS on water–agriculture governance, policies, and cross-sector coordination.
    - Support the development of regional policy frameworks, guidelines, and technical briefs that promote policy coherence between the water, agriculture, and energy sectors.
    - Review and synthesize international and regional best practices, evidence, and innovations relevant to the water-agriculture regional cross cutting-issues including, integrated water resources management (IWRM), water allocation, non-conventional water use, climate resilience, and data gaps and data-driven decision support.
    - Participate in regional forums, workshops, and dialogues that connect science, policy, and practice, when requested.

•     Support to the LAS Intergovernmental Process:
    - Represent FAO in supporting LAS in the planning, hosting, and follow-up of the HLJTC and JMM meetings, including agenda and concept notes preparation, technical background papers review, minutes of meetings development, recommendations formulation and review, and progress reports preparation.
    - Represent FAO in supporting LAS in monitoring and reporting on the implementation progress of HLJTC and JMM recommendations, including the operationalization and follow-up of the Cairo Declaration and its Work Plan.

•     Coordination between LAS and Partners:
    - Facilitate coordination and joint work among FAO, LAS, ESCWA, AOAD, and with partners and experts supporting the Joint Water–Agriculture intergovernmental process.
    - Strengthen engagement with member states by maintaining regular communication with national focal points and supporting alignment between regional recommendations and national implementation.
    - Support partnership-building and donor engagement to mobilize resources for the HLJTC cross-cutting issues.

•     Regional Water Scarcity Initiative Programme Focal Point:
    - Act as the focal point of the Regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) Programme with LAS, ensuring exchange of information, alignment of activities, and coordinated engagement with LAS relevant entities and target member countries.
    - Report regularly to FAO on the support provided to LAS, to enable effective follow-up and continued advancement of the intergovernmental process.

•     Technical support to the implementation of the HLJTC recommendations in countries of implementation on issues related to water management, water governance, productivity, accounting, and auditing:
    - Support the implementation of the activities of the Water Scarcity Initiative Programme at the country level.
    - Contribute to the development of technical products and support evidence-based policy reform processes. 
    - Provide technical and policy advice to the Water Scarcity Initiative partner countries to analyze specific issues related to water scarcity.
    - Conduct analytical studies on specific water related issues. 
    - Contribute to the drafting of actionable and high-quality policy recommendations, technical reports, and policy briefs.
    - Participate in, organize, or facilitate high-level policy meetings, roundtables or other events related to the water Scarcity Initiative.
    - Support capacity development activities targeting beneficiaries at the regional and national levels.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in water resources management, agricultural engineering, natural resources management, or a related field relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•     At least 3 years of relevant experience in water and agriculture policy, regional cooperation, or intergovernmental processes in the Arab region
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English and Arabic.

FAO Core 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 preferably in the Near East and North Africa region, field positions are desirable.
•     Excellent analytical and writing skills with a record of publications or technical reports.
•     Strong facilitation, networking, and interpersonal communication skills.
•     Ability to work independently and deliver outputs.