Irrigation and Rural Infrastructure Engineer at Food and Agriculture Organization

Job Title: Irrigation and Rural Infrastructure Engineer
Division/Department: Investment Centre Division, Africa Service, Technical Cooperation Department
Programme/Project Number:
Location: Rome, Italy
Expected Start Date of Assignment: As soon as possible Duration: 11- months
Reports to: Name: Alberta Mascaretti Title: Service Chief, TCIA

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF TASK(S) AND OBJECTIVES TO BE ACHIEVED

The Investment Centre Division (TCI) promotes investment in agriculture and rural development in developing countries and countries in transition, assisting governments, international financing institutions and other development partners to achieve growth, poverty alleviation and food security.

Duties and responsibilities:

Under the overall guidance of the Director, TCI and the general supervision of the Africa Service Chief, will provide technical advice and, as a member or leader of multidisciplinary teams, will be responsible for water management, irrigation development, drainage, flood control, water user associations and rural infrastructure. In particular, will:

• facilitate identification and preparation of investment projects and programmes and provide implementation support;
• advise government and development partners on national water management and irrigation programmes;
• interact with senior government officials, development partners, producers organizations and beneficiaries to facilitate exchange of critical information and validate the findings and recommendations regarding the investment proposals;
• review and enhance irrigation and rural infrastructure development reports and related investment proposals;
• contribute to the design and implementation of FAO capacity building activities on irrigation and rural infrastructure;
• support the Service Chief on tasks’ management, field mission organization and terms of reference, selection of consultants and supervision of their work and ensuring the quality of the Service outputs;
• perform other related duties as required.

Minimum requirements:

• Advanced university degree in irrigation engineering, water resources engineering, rural infrastructure, or a closely related field of specialization
• Seven years of relevant experience in the design, construction and operation of rural infrastructure, particularly irrigation schemes, water development operations, including those of small-scale irrigation type, in African countries
• Working knowledge of French and limited knowledge of English

Selection criteria:

? Extent and relevance of experience in Africa in the formulation and management of investment operations for rural infrastructure, irrigation and drainage engineering works, and on-farm irrigation development, including participation to multi-disciplinary teams
? Extent and relevance of experience in addressing institutional issues related to irrigation management involving stakeholders and water users’ associations establishment and management
? Extent of experience in dealing with beneficiaries, senior staff of governments and financing partners
? Excellent communication skills, both oral and in writing in French and working knowledge in English

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants are required to create an online Personal Profile form (PPF) in iRecruitment. To create the PPF, please follow the instructions available at: www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en

The PPF should be sent via email to: Irrigation-Rural-Eng-Consultancy @fao.org

Deadline for applications: 30 April 2015

Applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.