Hydro-met Observer (SC2)

Organizational Setting

The key mission of the FAO Representation in Somalia, which is led by FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist and support the national government to develop policies, strategies and programme aimed at accelerating the Implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the area of FAO’s global mandate and Strategic Objectives. More specifically, FAO’s response aims to address national needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, developing agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources and respond to recurrent emergencies. The current portfolio of activities of the FAO Representation in Somalia includes a wide scope of technical support interventions ranging from policy support through livestock and crop production, to natural resource management, Nutrition, value chain, food security analysis and water and land information management. FAO is also implementing several emergency, resilience-building, and development interventions, with the support of its five field offices and close to 400 staff in partnership with the Federal and State line ministries.

Reporting Lines

The position is under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Somalia, the directions of the SAWALIM technical advisor, and the direct supervision of the SWALIM Senior Hydrologist.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be responsible for Rainfall and River Level data collection, discharge measurements in key monitoring stations along Juba and Shabelle Rivers; and participate in selected water and land surveys in Somalia.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Take rain gauge readings daily from the installed station at regular intervals, early in the morning (preferably 9 am).
• Take river gauge readings at least once every day during the dry seasons at a regular time in the morning (preferably 9 am), and at least twice a day, in the morning and afternoon (preferably 9 am and 3 pm, respectively), during the rainy season when there is steady rise in river level.
• Transmit to SWALIM the daily rain and river level data collected, using the mobile based DIGNIIN App, provided by SWALIM.
• Ensure that discharge measurements are taken at least once per week during the rainy seasons and twice per month during the dry seasons as directed in writing by the Responsible Officer, subject to security situation at the gauging stations.
• Ensure that basic water quality parameters are tested, archived, and sent to SWALIM on weekly basis, as security situations allows.
• Record the measurements taken from the rain gauge, river gauge and discharge measurements using the data collection sheets provided by FAO-SWALIM and ensure that the data is entered into the computer system.
• Keep an archive of rainfall, river gauge, water quality, and discharge measurements recorded data in both digital and hard copies for submission to FAO-SWALIM.
• Ensure the collection and transmission of data to SWALIM according to the following schedule:
• The previous 7 days rainfall and river level readings shall be received by FAO SWALIM through e-mail attachment each Monday morning.
• Unusual rainfall and river level measurements should be reported immediately (same day) to FAO- SWALIM.
• Ensure that all gauges and equipment and their sites are kept clean and free from debris, dust, grass, and interference of animals all the time.
• Collect geo-tagged information, photos, videos, and other relevant documentation during floods, and share with FAO SWALIM immediately for processing and dissemination of early warning / alert messages to vulnerable communities.
• Disseminate early warning information, and other products produced by SWALIM to the local authorities and communities within the area of operation.
• Participate in ad hoc water, land and environmental data collection and surveys under the guidance of responsible officers from SWALIM and other FAO Somalia units. These includes but not limited to:
• Floods and droughts impact assessments in both the urban and rural areas
• Land resources assessments such as Crop type, Crop yield, Cropping pattern, Crop input use and other land use data, Herbaceous biomass, Land degradation, Charcoal production, Land cover.
• Participate in trainings/capacity building activities for the Ministry staff involved in hydro-met data collection, under the guidance of the SWALIM’s water resources officer.
• Any other related activity as directed by the SWALIM Technical Advisor or the responsible officer.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in water, environment, Agriculture, information management, social/Administration, or related field from a reputable institution.
• At least One (1) year of relevant experience in water, environment, or related field from a reputable institution.
• Working knowledge (level C) of the FAO official language used for communication within the country (English) and working.
knowledge of the local language(s) is required.
• National of Somalia.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Computer Skills for data entry
• Basic data analysis using excel.
• Conversant with mobile data collection tools
• Basic report writing and presentation skills

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION