Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is implementing in Iraq a holistic value-chain approach, addressing the underlying need to strengthen government plans and resources, while also building the capacity of producers and market actors of strategic value chains. By bolstering agriculture production and management techniques, processing and marketing, FAO will directly and indirectly support smallholder farmers and vulnerable unemployed households and strengthen food security for all.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative (FAOR) and FAO Deputy Representative, the direct supervision of the FAO Water & Agriculture Technical Advisor and in coordination with the technical unit at RNE and HQ levels, the  water accounting specialist will perform the tasks indicated below:

Technical Focus

The incumbent, in close consultation with the FAO Technical Advisor, will lead the implementation of the water accounting (WA) related activities as part of the project “Enhance climate resilience of vulnerable agriculture households in Southern Iraq through the promotion of climate smart water management and good agriculture practices in selected value chains” funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Tasks and responsibilities

The consultant will carry out a series of tasks including but not limited to the following:
•    Prepare curriculum to guide local water accounting teams facilitated by national consultant.
•    Provide training and coaching on water accounting- concepts, tools and approaches.
o    Block 1- concepts and rapid water accounting & governance analysis (RWA&GA).
o    Block 2- practical on RWA&GA in some governorates including distance coaching.
o    Block 3- use of modelling and remote sensing for water accounting and potential use of WaPOR.
o    Block 4- practical on advanced water accounting on the same governorates.
o    Block 5- final training sessions focusing on communicating water accounting results and water governance analysis. These sessions will be concluded by a national workshop on water accounting where the approach and results will be presented and discussed.
•    Coach the national WA specialist and the national WA teams on the development of the local water accounting assessments through periodic virtual meetings and in country missions.
•    Contribute to the preparation and review of WA related reports and results presentation.
•    Prepare case studies on water accounting in Iraq.
•    Identify capacity development needs related to water accounting and areas of improvement.
•    Perform other related duties as required.
•    Missions to Iraq are foreseen.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in Economics, water resources management, hydrology, agriculture, applied remote sensing, or related fields.
•    5 years of relevant experience in the water sector.
•    Working knowledge of English and Arabic.

FAO Core 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
•    Extent and relevance of experience in Remote sensing
•    Extent and relevance of experience in working with governmental entities
•    Familiarity with WAPOR