Land and Water Officer (Water Resources and Governance Assessment) Vacancy-Job Ref: ECITFAO/1002/202463

Land and Water Officer (Water Resources and Governance Assessment) Vacancy-Job Ref: ECITFAO/1002/202463

Rome (Italy)

JOB DESCRIPTION

FAO’s Land and Water Division (NSL) foresees a future whereby governments, development partners, civil society, academic institutions, and the private sector and farmers, all work together to ensure that land, soil and water resources are wisely used, conserved and restored for sustainable and resilient agrifood systems that support food security, nutrition and human wellbeing.

NSL provides policy guidance, technical and financial assistance to Members in developing policies, programmes, best practices and management tools for ensuring productive and efficient use of land, soil and water resources to meet present and future demands for agricultural products, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of these resources. It promotes equitable access to and sustainable management of these natural resources with a view to enhancing productivity, livelihoods, equity, health and ecosystem services.

Under the new Strategy, NSL will work towards a core set of five integrated and strategic Objectives and Action Areas that have been elaborated to cut across the thematic areas of land, water, soils and geospatial areas of work of the Division:
(1) Good Governance;
(2) Wise use and restoration;
(3) Mitigation and resilience;
(4) Integrated solutions;
(5) Data, digitalization, technology and innovation.

The post is located in the Land and Water Division (NSL) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Land and Water Officer (Water Resources and Governance Assessment) reports to the Senior Land and Water Officer (Team leader, water data and information), under the overall supervision of the Director of the Land and Water Division.

Technical Focus
The incumbent will plan and coordinate implementation of the projects GCP/INT/729/NET ‘Monitoring land and water productivity by Remote Sensing (WaPOR phase 2)’ and GCP/GLO/1169/GER ‘Scaling up capacities for responsible governance of water tenure in support of food security, climate resilience and social inclusion (ScaleWat)’, ensuring that the outputs and products are delivered as described in the projects’ results framework.

Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of cross-divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with cross-divisional objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions
• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies;
• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services;
• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise;
• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects;
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools;
• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings;
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions
• Leads the overall project management and implementation and ensures that the projects are implemented in accordance with (i) its objectives as set out in the project documents and agreement with the donor; and (ii) FAO’s Strategic Framework;
• Contributes technical inputs for the review and update of the methodology regarding water auditing and water governance assessments;
• Disseminates project outputs through various channels, including reports, technical publications, platforms, tools, meetings, web and training courses;
• Collaborates with colleagues across teams to enhance integrated project management;
• Facilitates multidisciplinary task forces for cross-cutting soil issues, supporting FAO’s programme priorities;
• Plans and participates in communications, outreach and collaboration with relevant entities, partners and stakeholders, along with the communication and programme specialists of the team;
• Contributes to divisional planning, programming and implementation efforts, and performs other relevant duties as required;
• Manages and assesses project progress, quality and impact, while addressing risks and challenges proactively, within the technical specific field of expertise;
• Collaborates with partners and facilitates stakeholder communication and engagement in both the WaPOR and ScaleWat Project framework;
• Ensures project compliance with FAO policies and guidelines and evaluates project outcomes for effectiveness;
• Participates in the writing of reports on project progress, prepares other types of reports and communicating outcomes and lessons learned;
• Participates in the organization of capacity development workshops and promotes knowledge exchange, particularly in French and Spanish speaking countries.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in agriculture, hydrology, water governance, natural resources management, environment, or related field
• Seven years of relevant experience in land and water resources assessment, water accounting and auditing, water productivity, and water governance assessments with proven record of project coordination
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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, particularly in field positions, is desirable;
• Extent and relevance of experience in coordinating international projects and relevant partnerships;
• Extent and relevance of experience in water accounting water resources assessments;
• Extent and relevance of experience in assessing water governance and water tenure;
• Extent of knowledge of FAO approaches for monitoring agricultural water use at different scales of analysis;
• Extent and relevance of experience in capacity building programmes;
• Excellent and effective oral and written communications;
• Demonstrated ability to manage financial and human resources;
• Ability to plan, evaluate and organize work; takes initiative, and maintain good working relations with people of diverse national and cultural backgrounds;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams;
• Ability to mobilize resources;
• Limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of French and/or Spanish.

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