Water management scheme Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Coordination Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip Programme is currently implementing the project entitled “Water Management and Adaptation of Agriculture to climate change in Northern Gaza” funded by France and the Global Climate Fund. This project seeks to develop a low-emission water management scheme in North-East Gaza Strip to sustain agricultural production and increase the resilience of highly vulnerable populations.

This position is related to the project “Water Management and Adaptation of Agriculture to climate change in Northern Gaza”, whose main objective is to develop, strengthen and empower low-emission water management for local communities in the Gaza Strip, in order to sustain agriculture production and to increase the resilience of the highly vulnerable population. The project’s main aim is the promotion of a climate resilient and water-efficient agriculture and enhancement of the institutional and operational capabilities for integrated and resilient water management.

Reporting Lines

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, the functional and technical supervision of the Head of Programme and the direct administrative supervision of the Field Operations Coordinator in close collaboration with FAO´s expert on Water Management and Climate Adaptation of Agriculture

Technical Focus

The consultant shall provide day-to day field advisory, guidance and mentoring support to the farmers to enable them achieving the intended economic and institutional sustainability which will support a smooth and successful achievement of FAO project exit strategy.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Facilitate a participatory definition and formulation of a sustainable recovered water management scheme based on the 2014 Water Law and 2018 by-laws for the regulation of the Water Users Associations. The scheme will be based on available quantities of recovered water, number of dunums to be served, crop type, and equity/equality in the distribution of the recovered water among users; • Support the establishment and functioning of WUA in close consultation with MoA and PWA, and other mandated authorities. This will include the definition and implementation of governance principles and management practices within the WUA including the duties/ responsibilities within its structure aiming at a better demand/distribution management of recovered water among users in a sustainable manner; • Identify the needs for building the technical, operational and institutional capacities of both WUA members and management, as well as design the correspondent training/coaching programme; • Assist the Socio-economic and Gender Expert in defining a strategy and action plan to increase women´s participation into both WUA and their management as well as well as to encourage women to run their projects. This will be inclusive of an Awareness raising Campaigns and workshops for the integration of women in WUA management and decision making, as well as the definition of capacity building activities particularly targeted at increasing women participation in WUA daily operation/management; • Provide general and technical advice for a public awareness campaigns and workshops to promote acceptance of agricultural production using recovered water (development and delivery); • Report methodology, limitations, challenges and outcomes achieved; • Contribute to progress reports and information materials when required. • Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture, hydrology or closely related fields; • At least four years of experience in implementing development and humanitarian projects, community and beneficiary mobilization, and liaising with project stakeholders in the field of agriculture, livestock and fisheries; • Working knowledge of English or Arabic and limited knowledge of the other one. Working knowledge of English or Arabic for PSA.SBS.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Good analytical and communication skills; • Experience in documenting and reporting on project activities; • Experience in drafting technical specifications for the procurement of goods and services, and evaluating supplier performance; • Computer/word processing and standard office software skills; • Previous UN system experience is an advantage. • Ability to travel to and within the Gaza Strip • Experience in documenting and reporting on project activities; • Knowledge of standard office package (Word, Excel, Power Point) software skills; • Previous UN experience is a strong advantage. • Relevant work experience related to water/irrrigation management schemes.