Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is the specialized agency of the United Nations for food, nutrition, agriculture, and forestry. FAO’s global vision is for a world free from hunger and malnutrition where food and agriculture contribute to improving the living standards of all, especially the poorest, in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner. Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO’s efforts – to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active and healthy lives.

The mission of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is to work to eradicate hunger and promote global food security together with balanced and complete nutrition. Our mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy.

Our three main goals are the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all; and, the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

The FAO Ethiopia, assist the Government of Ethiopia to develop policies, programs, and projects to achieve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors and use their environmental and natural resources sustainably.

Ethiopia hosts one of the highest numbers of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) globally. The Federal Government of Ethiopia (GoE) is exerting efforts to advance solutions for internal displacement, including through establishing the Durable Solutions Initiative (DSI) designed to provide a principled operational framework for durable solutions and shape multi-sectoral and collective programs to return, relocate, and locally integrate IDPs. Somali and Oromia regions, particularly Oromia Region bordering areas with Somali Region, present priority geographic areas for DSI in general. DSI Ethiopia, in consideration of the socio-political dynamics between the two regions, socio-economic grievances, and security environment, is prioritizing progressive resolutions of the complex displacement situations in these regions.

In light of the complexity and the dimensions of displacement situations in Somali and Oromia regions, FAO, IOM, and UN-HABITAT designed a joint project entitled Strengthening Resilience of Disaster Affected Communities through Durable Solutions in Oromia and Somali Regions of Ethiopia. The plan is to employ durable solutions that enhance IDPs’ and host communities’ capacities to move towards recovery and resilience with a particular focus on the Fafan and Shabelle zones of the Somali Region, and the East and West Hararge zones of the Oromia Region.

Among others, FAO will support small-scale irrigation agriculture to enable targeted displacement-affected communities to increase crop production and productivity, and income as well as expands local economic growth. Specifically, it focuses on rehabilitation, expansion, and new construction of irrigation schemes.

It is under this context; FAO Ethiopia is seeking to recruit irrigation specialist to perform the below-mentioned tasks based in Jigjiga.

Reporting Lines

The Irrigation Specialist works under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Ethiopia (FAOR), technical supervision of the NRM and Resilience Officer, and direct supervision of the FAO Field Office Coordinator.

Technical Focus

The Irrigation Specialist focuses on the supervision, inspection and monitoring of rehabilitation, and construction of irrigation scheme works in the Somali Region.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide overall technical support and play a leading role in irrigation system construction and/or rehabilitation including canals, drainage, dams, diversions and flood control structures as outlined in the detailed implementation plans and drawings;
•    Monitor the progress of construction and rehabilitation of irrigation scheme and ensure that they are being carried out according to work schedule;
•    Provide overall technical and organizational support for irrigation water management and irrigation practices  of crops cultivated by beneficiaries;
•    Monitor water levels in reservoirs and other sources of water;
•    Work with contractors and service providers on the elaboration/revision/modification of plans and designs of irrigation systems;
•    Inspect and ensure all the irrigation works are carried out according to approved drawings and quality specifications.
•    Contribute to training and mentoring on the use of water in irrigation systems, irrigation practice and technologies for government staff and beneficiaries;
•    Contribute to the establishment of water user groups (associations) and Farmer/agro-pastoral Field Schools; and develop group/association bylaws;
•    Collect information disaggregated by sex and age composition of targeted households’ family on project impact, performance, achievements, success factors and constraints for reporting, sharing, and learning;
•    Prepare monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports highlighting any constraints to project implementation and possible solutions to the FAO;
•    Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    Advanced university degree in irrigation engineering.
•    7 years of experience in irrigation scheme designs and construction supervision.
•    Working knowledge of English. Working knowledge of the official language of the country
•    National of the country

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
•    Extent and relevance of experience in irrigation agronomy.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in irrigation scheme construction supervision.
•    Familiarity with the government’s current systems and policy environments.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION