Organizational Setting

FAO's office for Yemen is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing countrywide food, agriculture and rural development priorities under Yemen. It develops and maintains relations with the relevant Ministries at country level. 
This position is based in FAO Representation in Aden, Yemen. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Yemen, the technical supervision of the International Water Resources and Irrigation Specialist.

Technical Focus

The Water Resources Management Specialist is responsible to provide technical and capacity development leadership, contributing to the identification and piloting of innovative initiatives in efficient water management, lead and provide technical expertise for the planning, development, and implementation of water projects, related products, and services, support evidence-based water resource management through the development of methodologies, tools, analyses, knowledge products, and capacity building regarding water resource management in the project’s context.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Support to evaluate, review and revise project documents related to water and Irrigation and analyze design specifications included in project proposals for accuracy, soundness, feasibility and cost.
•     Monitor and evaluate water projects progress, identifying risks and proposing mitigation measures.
•     Foster partnerships and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to enhance water projects impact and sustainability.
•     Represent FAO in technical forums, workshops, and conferences related to water resources management and irrigation.
•     In consultation with national authorities, UN agencies and NGOs active in project areas and targeted communities, supports to identify priority needs to determine investments and subprojects. 
•     Supervise community-based water infrastructure improvement and rehabilitation. 
•     Provide technical guidance to the FAO’s Operational Partner (OP) and assist in the implementation of activities related to water resources management and rehabilitation/ construction of water/ irrigation infrastructure and identifying areas where the works will take place. 
•     Assist the OP in the preparation of Cash-for-Works and community contracting plans, including calculations of the works required for each scheme, type of expertise, time and approx. costs. 
•     Identify and prepare technical specifications for all water resources management & Irrigation related equipment. 
•     Design and conduct training on water use and agronomic practices to the community-based organizations and carry out the diffusion of small-scale irrigation techniques through local NGOs, VDCs and women’s organizations for the development of irrigation schemes. 
•     Develop a systematic database to store and process information on water resources and water supply of the target villages and identify the gender sensitivity in the water user association structure and functioning.
•     Conduct field visits to project sites implemented by FAO and by the Operational Partner. 
•     Prepare progress and final reports, describing main activities undertaken, conclusions and recommendations and discussing findings/recommendations with Intl.-WRIS. 
•     Support in conducting Water conflict analysis and participate in the conflict resolution mechanism. 
•     Provide support to WNR Intl.-WRIS in DRR activities and assess DRR on agricultural.
•     Developing groundwater model (MODFLOW) and flood modelling based on the gathered and available data and participate in the projected water balance and training in the MODFLOW model. 
•     Perform other related duties as required and advised by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     Advanced university degree with specialization in water resource management, irrigation and water management agriculture, civil works and dealing with local organizations
•     At least five years of experience in working with WUAs in the areas of water resources management to include groundwater and remote system analysis
•     Working knowledge of English
•     National of Yemen

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Ability to use GIS and GPS applications.
•     Ability to work within a team of professional staff from diverse technical and cultural backgrounds.
•     Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills in English.
•     Demonstrated capacity to plan, advise and guide planning processes on water related issues.
•     Demonstrated ability to implement a variety of analytical methodologies and techniques.
•     Demonstrated ability to liaise with multiple agencies, effectively building an understanding and partnership with other UN bodies, NGOs, and governmental agencies.
•     Previous experience with International Organizations.
•     Ability to plan, organize, implement and report.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION