Water Reuse for Agriculture 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 agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture, and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region.

In response to the growing needs of member countries, FAO and partners launched in 2013 the Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) to support the countries of the NENA Region to cope with one of their most striking challenges: the pursuit of food and water security, for a sustainable social and economic development, under an unprecedented severe escalation of water scarcity. The WSI is a regional mechanism endorsed by the Arab Water Ministerial Council of the League of Arab States and aims at supporting existing regional strategies such as the Arab Water Security Strategy 2030. The WSI is supporting the NENA region countries to strategically plan their water resource management and allocation and adopt good practices to achieve water and food security.

In this regard, the FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa is developing a roster of experts on wastewater reuse.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Land and Water Officer/ the Delivery Manager of the Water Scarcity Initiative.

Technical Focus

Support and contribute to the development and implementation of (i) projects and programmes, (ii) strategies and policies and (iii) provision of technical assistance to the Water Scarcity Initiative’s activities. FAO is looking for candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas of expertise: • Wastewater reuse in agriculture: • Analytical studies on technical and policy issues related to wastewater reuse in agriculture. • Use of treated wastewater and related technologies and plant management. • Framework of national strategies and policies on water reuse for agriculture. • Sanitation Safety Planning: • Development of conceptual framework on the development and implementation of sanitation safety plans at the local and national levels. • Capacity development on sanitation safety planning for relevant stakeholders. • Development and implementation of sanitation safety plans at the pilot and national levels. • Use of sludge resulting from treated wastewater in agriculture • Analytical studies on technical and policy issues related to use of sludge in agriculture. • Framework of national strategies and policies on the use of sludge in agriculture. • Capacity development on use of sludge in agriculture for relevant stakeholders • Development and implementation of framework on the safe use of sludge in agriculture at the local and national levels.

The incumbent will work in close coordination with the other members of the water Scarcity Initiative multidisciplinary teams. As such, she/he will need to be familiar with policy advice efforts in an international development setting related to water reuse and/or sanitation safety planning.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the implementation of the activities of the Water Scarcity Initiative on water reuse/sanitation safety planning/ Use of sludge. • Contribute to the development of technical products and support evidence-based policy reform processes. • Contribute to the drafting of actionable and high-quality policy recommendations, technical reports, and policy briefs. • Participate in, organize, or facilitate high-level policy meetings, roundtables or other events related to water reuse/sanitation safety planning/ Use of sludge. • Support capacity development activities targeting beneficiaries at the regional and national levels.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in natural resources management, non-conventional water resources, water reuse, or any related field. • Minimum seven years of relevant experience in project/programme management, strategies and policies, and provision of technical assistance in the fields of water reuse/sanitation safety planning/ use of sludge. • Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in one or more location, preferably in the Near East and North Africa region, field positions are desirable. • Extent and relevance of experience in the areas of expertise under the “Technical Focus” section • Familiarity with the policy development processes in the NENA region. • Knowledge of current political, social, and economic conditions in the Near East and North Africa countries, and ability to analyze the policy context at country level. • Experience in developing and drafting technical and policy reports and capacity development materials. • Experience in communicating with government officials and ability to present key results in concise and effective manner. • Familiarity with FAO and UN policy agendas is an asset. • Work experience in planning and organizing medium to large expert and intergovernmental meetings as well as capacity building workshops and online events. • Experience in the establishment and facilitation of technical networks. • Demonstrated ability to deliver results within deadlines.