FAO’s office in Gaziantep is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing food, agriculture and rural development priorities in NW Syria. The primary objective of FAO is to support the development of policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to assist in developing the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. As such, FAO’s office in Gaziantep is currently implementing and planning a number of projects aimed at strengthening resilience and socio-economic cohesion among highly vulnerable conflict- and earthquake-affected rural communities in NW Syria through support to agricultural livelihoods and access to employment in the agri-food sector.

Under the overall guidance of the ADG RR RNE, general supervision of the Programme Officer (RNE) and day-to-day functional supervision of the Emergency Response Specialist for NW Syria, and in close collaboration with relevant FAO technical units, the National Irrigation and Water Specialist will be responsible for leading the implementation of FAO’s irrigation- and water-related project/programme activities in NW Syria.

Natural Resources Management – Irrigation.

• Coordinate with FAO technical staff and other relevant stakeholders to assess the current status of irrigation systems/infrastructure (including irrigation wells and agriculture water pumping stations) in targeted locations in NW Syria to identify damages/defects that impact the operation of irrigation schemes and efficiency of water use.

• Assess the identified damaged irrigation systems and survey reports and develop appropriate interventions for improvement of irrigation schemes.

• Conduct, review and analyse hydrological, hydrogeological, and geophysical studies for project planning purposes and provide advice on related irrigation interventions such as groundwater well rehabilitation, small rainwater harvesting constructions, etc., to determine the optimal methods of irrigation for specific targeted geographic regions.

• Lead the design, implementation and testing of irrigation rehabilitation works at multiple project sites as needed.

• Prepare and produce related maps, drawings, specific technical specifications, detailed Scope of Work (SOW), BoQ and cost estimate, timelines and quality assurance relating to all aspects of the planned irrigation activities.

• Design related groundwater systems/rainwater harvesting systems.

• Contribute to the detailed project work plans in line with the budget and in collaboration with relevant units to ensure successful implementation of the project in accordance with relevant national and international technical standards.

• Prepare specific technical reports on the outcomes of irrigation-related activities and prepare progress reports.

• Contribute to irrigation-related assessments (rapid assessments, surface and groundwater status analyses, baseline and endline surveys, etc.), including any capitalization and learning exercises.

• Develop and deliver training on subjects related to, inter alia, modern irrigation systems, irrigation management, conservation of surface and groundwater, and irrigation schedules, where appropriate.

• Contribute to the preparation and development of documents for external audiences, such as reports, studies, analyses, guidelines, etc.

• Perform any other duties as required.

• Advanced university degree in Irrigation and Water Engineering, Agriculture Water Management, Agriculture Rural Engineering, Environmental Engineering or other related engineering field; advanced degree is an advantage.

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in implementing irrigation projects at national level.

• Working knowledge (Level C) of English and Arabic

• National of Turkey

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• Direct experience developing and implementing field irrigation rehabilitation works – including solar-powered irrigation systems – and experience designing and constructing civil-related works such as water tanks, water intakes, groundwater wells, etc., is an advantage.

• Working knowledge of the official language of the country (if considered necessary)