Water Productivity Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Project GCP IRQ 007 SWE is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The overall aim of the project is as stated in the title to” Enhance climate resilience of vulnerable agriculture households in Southern Iraq through the promotion of climate-smart water management and good agriculture practices in selected value chains.

The outputs include:

• Improve Knowledge and capacities to manage water and agriculture.

• Facilitate evidence-based stakeholder engagement.

• Equip farming households to adapt and adopt water & and climate-smart practices.

• support value chain actors on post-harvest and market.

• communication and outreach.

Some innovative tools and approaches will be introduced including water accounting, water productivity, climate-smart agriculture, farmer field schools, and climate-wise women.

Reporting Lines

Under the administrative supervision of the project’s budget holder (BH), FAO Representative in Iraq, and MTR Team Leader, the Team Member will contribute to the MTR in his/her area of specialization and be responsible for supporting the MTR Team Leader. His/her mandate is derived from and must fully comply with the overall terms of reference for the MTR. He/she will provide inputs as agreed with the Team Leader and MTR Manager (RM). The Team Member reports to the BH and the MTR Team Leader.

Tasks and responsibilities

General description of Tasks

Under the overall supervision of the Representative of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Iraq where the GCP IRQ 007 SWE projects are implemented and the Project Budget Holder; and the supervision of the Project LTO and with technical guidance of international water productivity expert. The national expert will work in close collaboration with the National project coordinator, and the focal ministries for both projects in the country.

The incumbent will carry out the following tasks for the Project.

• Carry out water productivity baseline assessment (main crops in the country). Desk study that will include:

o Definition of water productivity (do not mix definitions!)

o Identify stakeholders active in water productivity research, or improvement.

o Review and compilation of existing information on WP

• Published scientific literature.

• Governmental studies.

• Local studies at universities (theses).

• Local studies/information in water districts

• Surveys (already performed on agricultural practices)

• Data Quality Assessment

• Expert opinions

• Lead water productivity local assessments. That will include:

o Review the standard questionnaire to tailor it for the reality of south Iraq, integrating it with FFS'’s initial agro-ecosystem analysis; it will ensure that climate-smart and climate-resilient aspects are considered.

o Work with an FAO GIS expert to get It transformed into a KoBo-based questionnaire that integrates GPS points.

o With international specialists to define the data collection strategy and the sample needed for the 4 governorates to be assessed (for each a focus can be put on a limited set of crops)- on average 50 interviews will be done per governorate.

o Train enumerators on the survey to be carried out in 4 governorates in the sub-districts where FFS will be implemented.

o Analyse results and produce reports for each governorate (Thi Qar, Al Muthanna, Al Najaf, Mysan)

o Work with gender specialists to ensure that the survey is gender sensitive and that the complementary survey on gender/water/agriculture is done at the same time.

o Work with FAO GIS expert and WAPOR team, to Integrate remote sensing-based analysis of the evolution of water productivity for each sub-district where the survey is done.

• Contribute to the design and implementation of economic water productivity assessment on 2/3 value chains (to be selected for south Iraq)

o Work with an agro-economist expert to design and organize the economic water productivity survey along the value chain for 2 to 3 crops important for south Iraq -analysis will consider the value chain across south Iraq and its connection to national and international markets.

o Organize the fieldwork for the production part (to be done with the above local assessment) and monitor the implementation of the EWP survey and its results.

• Identify capacity development needs related to water productivity baseline and areas of improvement identified.

• Contribute as a resource person to training events and special sessions with farmer field schools and climate-wise women on-demand.

• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National of Iraq

• University degree in agriculture, agronomy, agriculture economy, or related subject

• 5 years of relevant experience in agriculture projects, extent and relevance of experience in irrigated farming systems analysis

• Working knowledge – in Arabic and limited knowledge in English

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Leading, Engaging, and Empowering

• Communication

• Partnering and Advocating

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential.

• Extent and relevance of experience in Advanced degree in water management in agriculture, agronomy, Crop Production, and Protection, agro-economy, or related subject

• Extent and relevance of experience in water management in agriculture, irrigation

• Extent and relevance of experience in water productivity

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.