International Irrigation Specialist/ Hydrologist

Organizational Setting

The FAO Country Office in Bangladesh (FABGD) is responsible for leading FAO's response to country priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the country. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the country and, in collaboration with the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), Divisions, Offices and Centres at FAO Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to these priorities. Through its Country Programming Framework (CPF), the Country Office supports policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, at country level and facilitates the emergence of country partnerships and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

FAO implements several development and emergency projects including irrigation and water management components and activities, which require technical support of International Irrigation Specialist / Hydrologist.

The position is based in the FAO Country Office in Bangladesh - Dhaka.

Reporting Lines

The International Irrigation Specialist / Hydrologist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and the direct supervision of the Senior Technical Advisor, in close cooperation with the team of projects’ specialists and in close consultation with relevant national institutions and stakeholders.

Technical Focus

The International Irrigation Specialist will support implementation of selected FAO Bangladesh projects, with specific emphasis on resilient surface water management, hydrology and development of triggers for drought and floods.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support FAO Emergency & Resilience Unit in implementing emergency projects, including development of Flash Flood Early Warning system and Anticipatory Action Protocols for Flood and Drought in Bangladesh. • Contribute to development of capacity building materials and trainings on integrating hydrological inputs in resilience and emergency projects. • Support Programme Unit through technical inputs related to hydrology and irrigation. • Advocate for support to FAO’s resilience and development activities and identify funding opportunities in the context of FAO Strategic Framework to complement/expand the existing programme. • Carry out regular field visits over different stages of the projects life cycle and provide overview reports to enable corrective actions by the projects’ teams and ensure smooth implementation of the projects’ activities. • Lead the elaboration of relevant knowledge products such as country studies, briefs and reports. • Support implementation of the Impact Study of different irrigation schemes developed under Component 3 of the Smallholders Agricultural Competitiveness Project, including but not limited to the following tasks: - Review relevant documents, assess SACP Component 3 achievements and plans for the remaining implementation period. - Update methodology of the Impact Study as per recommendations of the Stakeholders’ Workshop. - Review data collection tools and a work plan for the Study. - Lead field data collection. - Conduct the data analysis and coordinate inputs from the experts and consultants involved in the Study. - Draft the Impact Study Report, including recommendations for the Component 3 further implementation. - Present the impact assessment key findings during a validation workshop envisaged under the SACP. - Assess the efficacy of completed and planned water management schemes under the SAC Project in terms of: relevance (fit for purpose), technical and financial efficiency, and resilience. - Prepare at least 8 technical reports, one for each of the scheme typologies under the SAC Project, detailing comparative efficacy of the schemes (technical, financial and social), resilience and relevance with a view to identify the most effective approaches to serve the stated objectives of the schemes.

• Carry out any other related tasks as suggested by the Senior Technical Advisor / Emergency and Resilience Unit or Programme Unit.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• At least five years of relevant professional experience in planning/design, monitoring, results measurement, evaluation, accountability, information/knowledge management, action research and reporting in an international development setting, preferably with UN. • University degree in a discipline relevant to the mandate of the organization and the duties listed above. • Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian). For PSA, working knowledge of English.

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, particularly in field positions. Experience in leading project teams at a country level. • Experience and skills in project identification, programme and project formulation, analysis, planning and results-based management (RBM). • Knowledge of global issues, trends and constraints in development cooperation with particular reference to water management, climate change, resilience and livelihoods. • Experience in implementation of projects with a climate change adaptation and mitigation approach including policy dialogues and changes. • Excellent knowledge of the remote sensing and GIS tools for water management. • Ability to work independently and proceed with objectives of the assignment work under pressure and meet deadlines. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, communicative command of Bangla would be an asset. • Relevant work experience in Bangladesh.