Organizational Setting
FAO’s Land and Water Division (NSforesees a future whereby governments, development partners, civil society, academic institutions as well as the private sector and farmers, all work together to ensure that land, soil and water resources are wisely used, conserved and restored for sustainable and resilient agrifood systems that support food security, nutrition and human wellbeing. NSL provides policy guidance, technical and financial assistance to Member Nations in developing policies, programmes, best practices and management tools for ensuring productive and efficient use of land, soil and water resources to meet present and future demands for agricultural products, while ensuring the longterm sustainability of these resources. It promotes equitable access to and sustainable management of these natural resources with a view to enhancing productivity, livelihoods, equity, health and ecosystem services.
Under the new FAO Conceptual Framework for Integrated Land and Water Resources Management, NSL will work towards a core set of five outcomes that have been elaborated to cut across the thematic areas of land, water, soils and geospatial areas of work of the Division: (1) Good Governance; (2) Wise use and restoration; (3) Mitigation and resilience; (4) Integrated solutions; (5) Data, digitalization, technology and innovation.
The post is located in the Land and Water Division (NSat FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Land and Water Officer (Flood Managemenreports to the Senior Land and Water Officer, Land and Water Division (NS.
Technical Focus
Integrated water resources management, with focus on assessment of floods on agriculture and rural areas, development and implementation of flood risk management and floodadaptive agricultural solutions.
Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of crossdivisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with crossdivisional objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.
Key Functions
• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates on Organizationwide, crossdivisional committees, project teams and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.
• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise.
• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to, and ensures the quality and effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and online tools.
• Promotes international cooperation, advocates best practices and policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.
Specific Functions
• Contributes to FAO’s normative works and programme activities related to integrated water resources management.
• Contributes to the collection and generation of data and information related to floods and their impact on agriculture and food security.
• Leads the assessment of flood impacts on agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture as well as rural development at the global level.
• Leads the formulation and implementation of programmes and projects related to integrated flood management, including floodadaptive agricultural solutions, contributing to resilient and sustainable agriculture and aquaculture.
• Develops and disseminates information and knowledge products in promoting integrated floods management.
• Maintains regular collaboration with colleagues across the Organization to strengthen FAO’s work on integrated water resources management, including integrated flood management.
• Provides and coordinates support to field programme activities involving flood impacts assessment and response.
• Contributes to the Division’s efforts in planning, programming, implementation and reporting of programme activities.
• Performs other relevant duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in hydrology and/or water resources management.
• Seven years of relevant experience in including supervisory positions in international organizations, government departments or private enterprises dealing with water resources development and management, including flood management.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanis.
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, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Knowledge of system approaches and computer applications in water resources management studies and assessment.
• Knowledge of water resources assessment/management tools and methods and related policies.
• Extent and relevance of experience in flood impact assessment, integrated flood management, preparedness and emergency response.
• Extent and relevance of experience in conducting technical and feasibility studies of flood control projects.
• Extent and relevance of experience in leading multidisciplinary teams for working on flood issues.
• Extent and relevance of experience in establishing partnerships and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement programmatic initiatives on floods.
• Demonstrated ability to mobilize and manage extrabudgetary resources.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, monitor, report and evaluate programmatic activities.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.