Water-Energy-Food Nexus Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Sub- regional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing sub regional food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with sub region-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Sub regional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for the Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC).

Among the activities that SLC is currently supporting in the Caribbean, include the CARICOM-FAO-Mexico Initiative “Cooperation for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in the Caribbean” (Resilient Caribbean Initiative, in short) which is a project being implemented by SLC in 14 countries. Its purpose is to promote climate change adaptation solutions and increase climate resilience among small-scale producers in the Caribbean. Out of the three project components, Component 1 has three sub-projects that are being implemented on a demand-basis in target countries relating to i) the water-energy-food nexus; ii) school feeding, and iii) aquaculture.

These TOR refer to the implementation of subproject i) water-energy-food nexus (WEF), which seeks to improve water management efficiency and agricultural productivity, using technological innovations such as (micro-) solar powered irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting. The sub-project has a special focus on increasing water use efficiency in small-scale agriculture, horticultural development, and clean energy use for irrigation in marginalized communities. The project will promote the WEF's approach with innovative technologies on efficient irrigation and clean energy technology with the aim of expanding the approach to other areas of the Caribbean region. The expected project duration is 1.5 years.

Stakeholder involvement

The active participation of stakeholders will be critical to the achievement of results and sustainability over time. The beneficiaries at the institutional level include the Ministries of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Fisheries and Ministry of Climate Change (depending on each country), as well as farmer groups and academia.

Reporting Lines

The WEF Specialist will report directly to the FAO Project Coordinator of the Resilient Caribbean Initiative, who is based in the FAO sub-regional office in Barbados.

The FAO country Representative of the each of the participating countries and the FAO sub-regional coordinator for the Caribbean will provide general oversight. The WEF Specialist will work closely with the national focal point designated by the government and other FAO personal in each country.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Coordinator of the Resilient Caribbean Initiative, the WEF Specialist will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Provide methodological support, training, continuous follow-up and guidance to the National team involved
• Organize, in coordination with the national focal point appointed by the government, the initiation of the sub-project in the participating country. This includes stakeholders engagement/matrix and inception (baselines report and launch)
• Prepare project coordination tools such as detailed work plan, procurement plan, gender plan, communication plan risk management plan discussed with and validated by all stakeholders involved
• Provide appropriate technical and operational guidance for the implementation of all the project coordination tools. This includes continuous hands-on training and periodical meetings with all stakeholders
• Lead the process of developing and applying selection criteria for territories and beneficiaries (including territories, small farmers, and farmers and women organizations, etc.)
• Provide technical leadership for some specific activities of the project, including procurement guidelines, and Design, training and maintenance of pilot technologies on water-energy
• Undertake baseline assessments, and systematization of good practices as required
• Lead the operational and administrative management of all activities of the project, in coordination with the rest of the sub-project team. This includes request for procurement, preparation of specifications for procurement, coordinating of the preparation of agreements with service providers and partners, hiring of consultants, monitoring and evaluation, etc.
• Carry out a monitoring system for evidence-based data collection with farmers and farmer’s organizations and others.
• Support the logistical and national coordination conditions to carry out South-South cooperation exchanges with Mexican experts according to the project's work plan
• Prepare periodical reports and communication materials
• Support the coordination of all FAO assistance to water-energy nexus in Barbados and other participating countries.
• Provide technical guidance and managerial support to national consultants in other participating countries.
• Support SLC in assessments related to water and energy in specific value chains
• Perform any other related duties and activities as required by the FAO Representatives and the Policy Officer

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture, hydrology, engineering or related field
• Minimum 5 years of project management experience in renewable energy technologies applied in agriculture
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO official 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

• Experience with capacity building renewable energy technologies for agriculture
• Experience in organizing and conducting international and regional meetings and working in a participatory manner.
• Experience with the writing of capacity building materials/promotional materials
• Experience working with government institutions in the Caribbean (agricultural, water or energy sectors preferred)
• Good organizational skills
• Advanced computer skills, especially in MS Word processing