Modern irrigation Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO Country Offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments in developing policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and nutrition and reduce hunger and malnutrition, promote sustainable agricultural development, reduce rural poverty, develop inclusive agri-food systems and strengthen livelihood resilience – in line with the Organization’s Strategic Objectives and United Nations’ global and Government of Egypt’s national Sustainable Development Goals.

The position is located in the FAO Office in Cairo, Egypt

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of FAOR-EGY, the direct and technical supervision of the Senior Land and Water Officer (FAO-RNE), and in close collaboration with the FAO country office and project personnel, as well as Government counterparts and all stakeholders, the incumbent will carry out the following tasks for the project to increase water and agricultural productivity in the designated locations of the governorates of Assiut, Sohag and Qena.

Technical Focus

The main role is to develop and implement a method for assessing irrigation efficiency, coordinate the installation and commissioning of irrigation systems, prepare the pre-design of pressurised on-farm irrigation systems, match irrigation modernization specifications with mobile lifting points.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provision of technical advisory services in the area for irrigation for project sites
• Supervise the installation and commissioning of irrigation systems, and other water management interventions, including pumps, and other necessary components.
• Ensure close follow up with the contracted service providers on the establishment of the design of on-farm irrigation systems in the specified command regions.
• Developing irrigation modernization specifications in light of existing lifting points
• Prepare the tender documents for the purchase of pressurised on-farm irrigation systems, including the BoQ, specifications, general and special conditions, in accordance with FAO template documents.
• Supervising he technical specifications of the recommended irrigation systems and support the review of the technical tenders received.
• Supervise the implementation of the designed irrigation system in the target areas and assure the high quality of the materials used and the efficiency of the system
• Analyze, characterise, and classify the main agricultural practices, irrigation technology, systems, and practises, as well as the water consumption that is currently practised in the target locations.
• Propose best technologies for different water resources monitoring, including groundwater, drain water and soil moisture sensors
• Develop and implement capacity building programs to enhance the knowledge and skills of stakeholders in climate-smart water management
• Evaluate the effectiveness of climate-smart water management strategies and adapt as necessary
• Support the consultation with market actors, including upstream markets (distributors, manufacturers, repair services, and other engineering service providers) and downstream markets, and provide a technology-related sustainability analysis
• Support the preparation of an environmental and social risk management strategy (ESRM) related to the new configuration of irrigation systems
• Preparation of draft letters of Agreement with potential service providers for specific project tasks, studies, etc..
• Determine how specifically the project will support the competitiveness of crop farming and improve operationally practises and efficiency, including the determination of current water usage in the target land (as far as practicable) and the expected water savings to be achieved through the project
• Identify manageable technical packages of modern irrigation and control equipment for improved on-farm water usage and irrigation
• Other duties as needed

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• A university degree in civil engineering, Irrigation Engineering, water resource management or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in irrigation system design, installation, operation, and maintenance.
• Prior experience in establishing and designing capacity enhancement programmes
• Working knowledge of English and Arabic languages level (C ).
• National of Egypt

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multi-disciplinary teams
• Ability to analyze irrigation systems and recommend modifications that can improve efficiency, water conservation, and crop yields
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage irrigation modernization projects. This includes developing project schedules, budgets, and timelines, and ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget
• A deep understanding of the agricultural industry, including the latest trends, regulations, and market conditions
• Ability to identify and solve problems related to irrigation systems, such as water shortages, system failures, and inefficiencies
• Ability to adapt to changing project requirements, deadlines, and client needs

FAO Core Competencies

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION