Irrigation Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025) facilitates, coordinates and manages all technical and advisory services to be provided by FAO to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA) and its sister agencies. Within the framework of the UTF Technical Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering the period 2019-2025 signed on February 13, 2019 between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represented by MoEWA, and FAO, the UTF project “UTF/SAU/054/SAU: Enhancing National Capacities for Irrigation Management” has been approved by the FAO and Saudi Irrigation Organization (SIO). The Project, developed jointly by SIO and FAO focuses directly on supporting the implementation of the Saudi Irrigation Organization Corporate Strategy, which was developed within the context of the Saudi Vision 2030 and aims at strengthening the capacity of SIO to improve irrigation efficiency.

The Project “Enhancing National Capacities for Irrigation Management" has been developed jointly by SIO and FAO to strengthen the capacity of SIO to improve irrigation efficiency among small-scale farmers. The Project is expected to achieve the Outcome “Up-to-date irrigation information and knowledge products developed to enhance irrigation management”, and in turn contributing towards achieving the national development goal of improving irrigation efficiency and ensuring sustainable use of water resources in the Kingdom. This Project is consistent with the national development goals, fits within the Saudi Vision 2030, contributes directly to the achievement of the Strategic Objectives of the Saudi Irrigation Organization Strategy 2030, and directly supports the implementation of the Strategic Programme 4 (SP4): “Organizational development and capacity improvement” and its initiatives. The Project is implemented by FAO in full collaboration and partnership with the Saudi Irrigation Organization.

This Call for Expression of Interest aims to identify the following Irrigation Specialists:

• IRRIGATION PLANNING SPECIALIST • IRRIGATION ECONOMIST • DRAINAGE SPECIALIST • WATER HARVESTING SPECIALIST

Reporting Lines

The Specialists will report to the Projects Technical Advisor under the overall guidance of the FAO Programme Director in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Technical Focus

Supporting the implementation of related activities under the different outputs in accordance with workplan through the provision of expertise in relevant technical areas to support project implementation.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Specialists will carry out the following tasks (presented according to specialization):

For Irrigation Planning Specialist:

• Collect and review the current available data and information related to the agriculture sector, farming systems, water resources, irrigation systems, technologies and practices and performances in KSA, identify gaps, suggest data sets requirement, and possible means and ways for collecting and documenting. • Study and assess the current enabling environment including rules, regulations, policies and others, identify issues, gaps and opportunities. • Identify and study irrigation water sources for all and within each region, identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities. • Conduct benchmarking study and deduce lessons for the future of the irrigation plan of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. • Identify key critical irrigation to be addressed during 2023-2030 and beyond. • In consultation with stakeholders, suggest and discuss key problems to be addressed, identify strategic objectives for Kingdom’ irrigation master plan. • Identify key strategic outcomes and outputs and identify strategic investment programmes and initiatives, • Design a business operating model for the implementation of the master plan. • Prepare a full master plan document, and validate it with all concerned stakeholders.

For Irrigation Economist:

• Collect, review and analyze available data and information relating to irrigation economics, • Evaluate economic trade-offs and optimize the management of the irrigation systems in Saudi Arabia. • Conduct cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses for evaluating irrigation infrastructure, management and policy decisions. • Development of the methodology based on climatic stress testing and hydro-economic modelling. • Identifying and evaluating risk-based performance indicators for various drainage systems. • Risk management of irrigation and drainage water (hydrologic, environmental, and financial) • Assess and analyze the impact of irrigation infrastructures on socio-economic development and environmental sustainability. • Assist to prepare necessary training materials and conducting training for the national cadre in the Business Planning and Operation and Maintenance of investments in water schemes.

For Drainage Specialist:

• In close cooperation with the study team members and consultation with Saudi Irrigation Organization technical teams, design a methodology for the study to assess and compare the performance of the SIO agricultural drainage systems, • Collect, review and analyze available data and information, identify strengths, weaknesses, and challenges, • Develop an integrated framework and indicators for assessing the performance of existing SIO drainage systems, including installed works. • Undertake rapid participatory surveys to describe, characterize, and assess the state of existing SIO drainage systems including their design, installation, operation, and maintenance practices. • Benchmark international best practices in agricultural drainage systems relevant to SIO drainage systems. • Provide a full review and analysis comparing the aspects of construction, operational, maintenance, effect on soil and water quality, and cost-effectiveness as well as environmental impact of different types of drainage systems used by SIO. • Develop recommendations on different options and innovations, technologies, rehabilitation, and development measures to enhance the operation and performance of SIO drainage systems.

For Water Harvesting Specialist:

• Organize collection of data and information on water resources and agriculture water management at the National and provincial level • Prepare technical briefs on scope of local water harvesting techniques in selected areas; • Support the development of local people indigenous knowledge related to terraces maintenance and rainwater harvesting technologies and practices. • Provide guidance on innovative solutions to be used towards the water harvesting use for agriculture; • Provide technical support to ensure adoption of internationally accepted innovations and technologies and best practices in Water Harvesting.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in irrigation management, irrigation engineering, data management, water law, water resources, agriculture-economics, management or any related subjects. Knowledge of irrigation systems, technologies, and best practices. • Five years of relevant experience in technical cooperation-related activities, policy analysis, and advice relating to water resources/irrigation management, as well as monitoring and evaluation. • Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) for Consultants. Working knowledge of English for PSA.SBS.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one region and particularly in field positions with the ability to provide technical and advisory services. • International work experience in technical cooperation projects including familiarity with results frameworks, project work planning and budgeting. • Demonstrated communication skills, including the ability to convey and present sensitive issues/positions. • Analytical skills and the ability to write clear and concise reports is considered a strong asset. • Proficiency in English is essential and familiarity with Arabic language is desirable. • Experience working with v irrigation and water resources and familiarity with water resources sector in Saudi Arabia or NENA region is desirable.