Water Management Support

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level. 

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Pakistan focuses its efforts on poverty reduction, food security, sustainable livelihoods and rural development. FAO has partnered with the Government of Pakistan on research and development, training, extension services and strengthening of the staff capacity in planning and policy making. FAO has supported improvements in agricultural policy analysis, strengthened institutions. Enhanced integrated area development and expanded participation of marginalized and vulnerable communities in sustainable development.

The position is envisioned under GCF funded “Transforming Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management” project. The approved funding proposal which describes activities under the project is available at https://www.greenclimate.fund/document/transforming-indus-basin-climate-resilient-agriculture-and-water-management. 

Modelling of climate change scenarios for Pakistan shows that if agriculture and water management in the Indus River Basin continue along a ‘business as usual’ pathway, increasing temperatures and changes in precipitation will pose serious threats to the future livelihoods of farmers and to the Pakistani agricultural sector. In response to this challenge, the GCF funded project, “Transforming Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management”, will help shift Pakistan and Indus Basin agriculture from its current situation of high vulnerability toward an alternative paradigm wherein better information and farming practices will significantly increase resilience to climate change. To do this, the project will develop the country’s capacity to get and use the information it needs to cope with the impacts of climate change on agriculture and water management by putting in place state-of-the art technology (Component 1); building farmers resilience to climate change through skills, knowledge and technology (Component 2), and creating a wider enabling environment for continuous adaptation and expanded sustainable uptake of climate-resilient approaches (Component 3).  

The position is located in the FAO office in Multan.

The position is at SBIII-SC6 level.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision and guidance of FAO Representative in Pakistan and direct supervision of Technical Advisor, technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officers of the project, International Water Expert and Senior Water Management Expert, and in close coordination and consultation with project staff, governmental counterparts, and implementation partners, the incumbent will undertake the following activities.

Technical Focus

Hydrology, weather, climate, data management, agricultural water management, Information Technology, Coordination. 

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Coordinate with provincial agriculture and water stakeholders in Punjab Province for installation and maintenance of weather stations, flow sensors, flux towers and other water-related instruments. Ensure necessary agreements are in place between FAO, landowner and recipient organization of the sensors. 
•    Monitor the telemetry data from the instruments. Conduct site visits during installation for inspection and when any issues arise with the instruments and diagnose the issue.
•    Ensure service provider(s) of the instruments to submit proper documentations required as per FAO’s rules. 
•    Conduct inspection for delivered instruments and participate in mission to supervise installation of the instruments\\Sensors.
•    Organize training events and workshops related to the sensors and various software/tools for agriculture and water sectors. 
•    Coordinate with provincial stakeholders on data sharing through Agriculture, Climate, and Water Portal. 
•    Participate in technical evaluations in case any procurement need arises for weather station, evapotranspiration, water accounting, etc. 
•    Support update and maintenance of the project database for good practices and successful stories.
•    Provide support in the compilation and analysis of key performance indicators. 
•    Support the documentation of successful stories by communication and knowledge management specialist.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Master’s degree in climatology, hydrology, agricultural engineering or related field. Master’s degree in IT and GIS are also accepted if the graduation project or thesis is about weather, climate or water sciences
•    5 years of professional experience (4 years if the candidate has a PhD in a relevant subject) in weather, climate, agricultural water management, hydrology or related field
•    Working knowledge of English
•    National of Pakistan

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Sound knowledge of weather observation, hydrology and climate change, and IT/data management, use of scientific instruments is desirable.
•    Experience in working or coordinating with governmental organizations 
•    Strong analytical and report writing skills;
•    Computer skills in Office Applications Including Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point;
•    Fluency in a local language(s) spoken in south Punjab is an asset. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION