Overview
The Water and Irrigation Specialist will focus on the assessment, planning, implementation, and monitoring of water resources management and irrigation system interventions within FAO Yemen’s programme.
Key Responsibilities
- Evaluate, review and revise project documents related to water and environment and analyze design specifications included in project proposals for accuracy, soundness, feasibility and cost.
- In consultation with national authorities, UN agencies and NGOs active in project areas and targeted communities, identify priority needs in order to determine investment and subprojects.
- Supervise community-based water infrastructure, irrigation system improvement and rehabilitation.
- In coordination with the FAO’s Operational Partner (OP), assist in identifying the areas where the work will take place.
- Provide technical guidance to the FAO’s Operational Partner (OP) and assist in the implementation of their activities related to water management and rehabilitation/construction of water/irrigation infrastructure, irrigation systems.
- Identify and prepare technical specifications for all water & Irrigation system 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;
- Determine best practices and success stories based on beneficiaries’ feedback and own observations from the field.
- Conduct field visits to project sites implemented by FAO and by the Operational Partner.
- Recommend solutions to water, environmental and other natural resources problems as they arise.
- Contribute in the preparation of progress and final reports, describing main activities undertaken, conclusions and recommendations and discussing findings/recommendations with Intl-WRIS.
- Provide support to FAO Representation in Yemen in implementing irrigation system activities, when requested.
- Conduct Water conflict analysis and participate in the conflict resolution mechanism.
- Strengthen and establish Community based Early Warning monitoring as necessary,
- Regularly follow up the coordination and collaboration mechanisms of the EWS Technical Working Group and prepare periodic reports including the required technical and institutional support.
- Prepare agro-metrological forecasting and advisory services for farmers regarding pest management, crop disease, irrigation, pasture and water for livestock, crop production planning and other livelihood activities.
- Assist in providing training to the relevant colleagues
- Perform other related duties as required and advised by the supervisor.
Required Experience
- At least five years of experience in working with WUAs in the areas of water resources management to include groundwater and remote system analysis.
- Previous experience with International Organizations.
Qualifications
• Advanced university degree with specialization in water resource management, agriculture, civil works, irrigation and water management including disaster risk management, environmental science and meteorology.
