Organizational Setting

This position is located in FAO Pakistan, based in Quetta. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, help to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The following position is at SB4 SC8 level

Pakistan has been experiencing frequent natural disasters and non-coherent economic policies which has affected the overall economy specifically the agriculture sector and livelihood of the people. Outbreak of pandemic and locust attack has damaged agriculture crops and affected the food supply chain in Pakistan. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is supporting the Government of Pakistan at national and provincial levels through different analytical policy reports on food supply chain, food forecast livestock, forestry, fisheries and climate change. Similarly, a web-based data management system is under development for agriculture, food security and nutrition statistics in Pakistan. Through this system, support Government of Pakistan in monitoring food prices and supply chain through live dashboards will enable better planning and policy making.

There is currently a team of agronomists, statisticians, economists and policy analysts working on different components to strengthen the food supply chain and enhance the food security in Pakistan. FAO Pakistan seeks a qualified professional with a strong analytical and quantitative capacity to contribute in the “Revival of Balochistan Water Resources Program (RBWRP)” funded by EU. This experience will provide wide scope of work as outlined below:

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer and in close coordination with concerned FAO colleagues, Water Management Specialist will perform the following tasks:

Technical Focus

Ensure timely delivery of all activities related to water management in the (RBWRP)”.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Water Management Specialist will be responsible for the following actions:
•    Provide technical support to the FAO provincial teams with regards to water management and in particular to the Balochistan Water Programme;
•    Review existing sectoral policies and prepare brief on major water related challenges in the country, provinces and regions;
•    Assist International Water management and international ground Water specialists in preparation of technical briefs and rainwater harvesting manuals in the target sub river basins;
•    Prepare technical briefs on scope of local water harvesting techniques in selected project sites;
•    Take part in the project inception at the beginning of the project implementation; advise on the formulation of project implementation plan;
•    Organize collection of data and information on water resources and agriculture water management at the National and provincial level;
•    Liaison and coordination with the project partners, concerned department on FAO water interventions in the target districts;
•    Develop ToRs for water assessment studies including mapping for Aquifer Recharge zones and spate irrigation in the selected (sub) river basins of Balochistan;
•    Facilitate and participate in the training workshop on water auditing and accounting, and climate change.
•    Perform other related duties, as assigned by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements   

•    Advanced university degree in Water Resources Management, hydraulic/Irrigation engineering or related field.
•    08 years’ of relevant experience in study, design and implementation of water management schemes including infrastructure of irrigation canals, rain and flood water harvesting, pressurized irrigation systems, spate irrigation works, groundwater (Karezes, springs and infiltration galleries) and other water conservation and management infrastructure;
•    Working knowledge of English and local languages of Balochistan;
•    National of Pakistan.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Technical experience in designing and implementation of water accounting/water balance studies, irrigation schemes;
•    Vast knowledge in innovative water management techniques for rain and flood water harvesting, groundwater management, etc.
•    Technical analytical skills and proposal formulation for various water schemes;
•    Experience working in establishment of Water Users Associations and training;
•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable;
•    Experience working with BOQs, validation and monitoring of different infrastructures.

Functional Skills 

•    Ability to operate effectively in a team, contributing positively to team operations and working relationships.
•    Knowledge of United Nations and International Organizations’ administrative policies and procedures.
•    Excellent drafting skills and analytical mind
•    Demonstrated ability to conduct research
•    Demonstrated fluency in written and spoken English
•    Excellent interpersonal skills and to work in a team-oriented multi-cultural environment
•    Willingness to travel
•    Ability to work independently, with initiative and minimal supervision
•    Good knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations
•    Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards
•    Display initiative and take responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and closely follow-up until successful outputs are achieved.
•    Continue to seek new, innovative and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work assigned.
•    Identify and recommend remedial measures to address problems in systems design or implementation

Selection Criteria 

Candidates will be assessed against the requirements listed above.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION