Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations 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 and has started working in Viet Nam since 1978 with its Representation (Country Office) opened in Ha Noi.
At the country level, the Country Programming Framework (CPF) for Viet Nam has been serving as the basis for FAO’s works in Viet Nam for the period of 2022-2026. Climate Change Response, Disaster Resilience and Environmental Sustainability is one of the four FAO strategic priorities under the CPF. The Country Office (CO), with technical support from RAP GEF team, has successfully mobilized significant resources from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to address the issues related to transboundary water, climate change, environment, biodiversity and ecosystem restoration in Viet Nam.
FAO Vietnam, in partner with the Department of Water Resource Management (DWRM), is formulating the GEF-8 project “Enhancing water management and compliance to address hypoxia caused by nutrients, and other pollutants, into the Gulf of Tonkin (Vietnam)”, of which the Concept Note has been endorsed by the GEF Secretariat.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent reports to the Lead Technical Officer of the project and the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in Viet Nam, and is put under the daily supervision of the GEF Programme Technical Specialist.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support the integrated water resources management research and assessment in the context of the project focus, as well as coordination with other formulation team members.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall administrative supervision of the SAP Regional Coordinator, the Technical Supervision of the Lead Technical Officers (LTOs), and in collaboration with FAO GEF specialists and the entire PPG team, the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Expert will be responsible for:

•    Collate relevant information on the current baseline policies, infrastructures and standards related to integrated water resources management (eg. Water discharge management, water exploitation and use management…);
•    Synthesise information on changes in the conditions and impacts of water discharge in the Red River basin, good practices and lesson learnt;
•    Collate, analyse and document relevant information on the current baseline of cross sector monitoring, early warning, and information exchange;
•    Collate, analyse and document relevant information on water resources in the project context;
•    Collate, analyse, and document information relevant to enhancing capacity (with the development of practical tools that are linked to permits) to monitor and trace nutrient pollution, and water discharge in coastal and estuary areas and facilitate enforcement of regulations;
•    Provide technical input on water resources management and water discharge in relevant sections on baseline and background in the Project Document;
•    Contribute, in discussion with other team members and partner institutions, to the recommendation of nature-based solutions in the Red River basin, in particular the selected case study areas;
•    Participate in field visits and workshops as required throughout the PPG process;
•    Advisory support to processes of drafting of project documentation and responses to reviews.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements   

•    High level academic degree (Masters or PhD) in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Hydraulic/Hydrologic Engineering or related field;
•    At least 10 years relevant experience working in integrated water resources management with at least 5 years in developing country contexts;
•    Working knowledge of English;
•    National of Viet Nam or resident in the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Strong experience and knowledge in water resources management in estuarine and coastal areas;
•    Relevant experience working in Red River Basin with deep understanding of the river network, structures, discharge gauges and water discharge sources;
•    Strong analytical thinking, interpersonal skills as well as report writing skills;
•    Relevant experience in working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, particularly in multilateral organizations;
•    Experience in networking with partners in Viet Nam at all levels (Ministries, donors, private sector, NGOs and local community-based organizations);
•    Relevant experience in coordinating and working with both international and local institutions.
•    Proven ability to deliver quality outputs working under tight deadlines.