ORGANISATIONAL SETTING 

Agriculture is considered the main pillar of Eswatini’s economy, although its contribution to the country’s GDP has declined over time. In 2017, agriculture and forestry accounted for 8.6% of Eswatini’s GDP. However, the agricultural sector experienced a negative growth rate of -11.2% in 2016, primarily due to a severe drought that resulted in a significant decrease in overall production output.
Given the increasing climate variability and the unsustainability of relying solely on rainfall for agricultural production, water resources and irrigation development are crucial for ensuring food security at the household and national levels in Eswatini. The government recognizes the importance of investing in water resources development for agricultural purposes. Consequently, the Ministry is actively engaged in water harvesting and irrigation initiatives to address the recurring drought conditions and economic losses experienced by the agriculture sector. To enhance water, use effectiveness and efficiency in agricultural production, a comprehensive national water resources assessment is required. This assessment will identify suitable areas for irrigation development and serve as the foundation for an agriculture water resources and irrigation master plan. The plan will guide the expansion of irrigation and investment in the country, aligning with the findings and priorities identified in the subsequent phases of the assessment.
In collaboration with the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has initiated a process to support multiple assessments aimed at identifying the potential for irrigation development in the country. The initial phase of this project resulted in the development of a draft national irrigation master plan and investment framework. This draft plan identified critical areas to inform the subsequent phases, which will involve more detailed assessments and prioritization of irrigation development, including ground truthing exercises.

Overall, the aim is to leverage these assessments to establish a comprehensive irrigation master plan and investment framework that will enhance agricultural productivity and resilience in Eswatini.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Eswatini, (FAOR), guidance of the Assistant FAOR Program and the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer. The National Specialist will work in close collaboration with FAO Technical officers that will form a project management team task force consisting of the Lead Technical Officer (FAO Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa) and designated senior officials in the Ministry of Agriculture Land Use Planning Department.

Technical Focus

The objective of the work is to develop an irrigation masterplan that identifies potential areas for irrigation, establishes linkages to enhance profitability, upgrades the current version of the masterplan, presents the irrigation projects per region, and analyses the institutional setup within the irrigation sector. The specialist will also present the masterplan to FAO and stakeholders for further inputs and comments.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following specific activities:

•    Support in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department of Water Affairs in the Ministry of Natural Resources, relevant parastatals and the Private Sector to obtain a list of existing irrigation schemes per region in EsSwatini and gather information on water allocated and abstracted from rivers small streams and dams for irrigation purposes by the different irrigation schemes, their location, the type of irrigation technology used and development costs for each project.

•    Collects and analyse relevant data in the form of shape files, excel spreadsheets, etc., and use them as inputs to create tables and maps.

•    Conducts a comprehensive assessment to identify potential areas for irrigation, considering factors such as soil suitability, water availability, and market demand;

•    Develops a clear map showing the potential sites for irrigation, irrigated areas, including the demarcation of regions, agro-ecological zones, and river basins, irrigated areas on private land and Swazi Nation Land in tabular form, classified as small, medium, or large scale, including their location, water sources, irrigation technology, development costs, and other relevant details. This will also include clearly outlining and referencing the method adopted for the classification of irrigation systems.

•    Presents the short-term, medium-term, and long-term irrigation development trajectory, aligned with government priorities, including rehabilitation of existing schemes, completion of ongoing projects, expansion of existing schemes, and development of new schemes including recommendations on priority areas for development and rehabilitation including recommendations for suitable crops to match the irrigation investment.

•    Analyses the institutional setup within the irrigation sector, identify the roles of each institution, and identify any gaps in the current setup and recommend improvements to the institutional setup to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the irrigation sector.

•    Presents an assessment of national policies and regulatory framework relevant to the Irrigation Master Plan, identifying gaps and opportunities, and ensure that IMP aligns with existing policies, strategies and transboundary agreements.

•    Develops an Irrigation development investment plan to show the required capital investment for large, medium and small scale irrigation projects in the short, medium and long term.

•    Develops a comprehensive bankable concept note for resource mobilisation to expand irrigation, for rehabilitation of existing schemes and damaged earth dams.

•    Presents the irrigation masterplan to GoE, FAO and all stakeholders at a pre-validation meeting for further inputs and comments.

•    Makes available shape files and other raw data to the client that was used as input for all analysis performed.

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced University Degree in Irrigation Engineering, Agricultural Engineering or closely related field;
•    10 years relevant experience in irrigation planning and development.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English;
•    National of Eswatini or a legal resident of Eswatini

Technical/ Functional Skills

•    Strong knowledge of agricultural systems, water management, and irrigation development.
•    Familiarity with GIS and other relevant mapping software.
•    Previous experience working with government agencies and international organizations.
•    Excellent analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
•    Experience and strong knowledge of national context with reference to food, agriculture and water sector and agriculture extension.

FAO Core Competencies

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

 
Selection Criteria

•    Working knowledge of SiSwati will be an added advantage;