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 Mukalla, 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

•     Technical and capacity development leadership and contribute to identifying and piloting innovative initiatives in the area of efficient water management; leadership and technical expertise for the planning, development, and implementation of projects, related products, and services.
•     Supporting evidence-based water resource management through the development of methodologies, tools, analyses, knowledge products, and capacity building regarding water resource management in the project context. 
•     The objective of this assignment is to assess, analyze, and recommend improvements in irrigation infrastructure and water distribution systems, ensuring that infrastructure investments are technically sound, environmentally sustainable, and socially inclusive.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Support to evaluate, review, and revise project documents related to water and irrigation infrastructures, analyzing design specifications of irrigation canals, pipelines, reservoirs, and water storage structures for accuracy, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness.
•     In consultation with national authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, and targeted communities, support the identification of priority needs related to irrigation water infrastructure rehabilitation, construction, and modernization to optimize water delivery and distribution.
•     Support supervising community-based irrigation water infrastructure improvement and rehabilitation, including canals, diversion structures, pumps, and water conveyance systems, ensuring structural integrity and efficient water use.
•     Assist the OP in preparing Cash-for-Works and community contracting plans with detailed estimations of work volumes, required technical expertise, timeframes, and costs specific to irrigation infrastructure construction and maintenance.
•     Support in identifying and preparing Bill of quantities and technical specifications for irrigation water infrastructure equipment and materials such as canal linings, gates, pumps, valves, and filtration systems.
•     Support the design and delivery of training to community-based organizations on the operation, maintenance, and management of irrigation water infrastructures to ensure sustainability and improve water distribution efficiency.
•     Develop a systematic database to store and process information on irrigation water infrastructure conditions, capacities, and water supply status in target villages, including gender considerations in water user association roles related to infrastructure management.
•     Conduct field visits to FAO and Operational Partner project sites to monitor the performance and impact of irrigation water infrastructures, assessing their condition, water conveyance efficiency, and user management.
•     Contribute to preparing progress and final reports detailing activities on irrigation infrastructure development, rehabilitations, challenges, recommendations, and lessons learned; discuss findings with the Intl-WRIS.
•     Support conducting water conflict analysis arising from irrigation water infrastructure usage and participate in conflict resolution mechanisms focused on equitable water distribution and infrastructure access.
•     Provide support to WNR Intl-WRIS in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) activities by assessing vulnerabilities of irrigation water infrastructures to floods, droughts, and other hazards and proposing structural or operational mitigation measures.
•     Assist in developing groundwater and surface water modeling (MODFLOW and flood models) for optimizing irrigation water infrastructure operations and planning water distribution networks based on hydrological data.
•     Perform other related duties as required, emphasizing the enhancement, sustainability, and resilience of irrigation water infrastructure systems.
•     Perform other related duties as required and advised by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     University degree in civil, irrigation and watershed management related fields. 
•     At least 5 years of relevant experience in working on water resources management and water infrastructures.
•     Working knowledge of English (C1).
•     National of Yemen.

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, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
•     Relevance and extent of experience in working with intergovernmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.
•     Ability to work within a team of professional staff from diverse technical and cultural backgrounds.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in technical cooperation related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food security, water management, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programs.
•     Extent and relevance of knowledge of water management tools, methods, and systems 
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION