FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Professional Vacancy Announcement No: 2249-TCI
Deadline For Application: 11 December 2009
Position Title Irrigation and Rural Infrastructure Engineer
Duty Station Rome
Grade Level P-4
Duration 3 years
CCOG Code: 1B02
Organizational Unit Investment Centre Division, Africa Service (TCI) Technical Cooperation Department

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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.

  • 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
Candidates should meet the following:

  • 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 English and limited knowledge of French

SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

  • 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 English
  • N.B. Willingness to travel frequently to developing countries and/or countries in transition.

Please note that all candidates should possess computer/word processing skills and should be capable of working with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
* The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

REMUNERATION

Level P-4 carries a net salary per year (inclusive of a variable element for post adjustment) from US$ 111,299 US$ 136,372 (without dependants) and from US$ 119,520 to US$ 147,289 (with dependants)

TO APPLY: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants

Send your application to:

V.A 2249-TCI
Director, Investment Centre Division
FAO Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome ITALY
Fax No: +39 06 570 54657
E-mail: VA-2249-TCI@fao.org

This vacancy is open to male and female candidates. Applications from qualified women candidates and applications from qualified candidates from non/under-represented member states are encouraged. Please note that FAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director-General and may be assigned to any activities or office of the organization.

  FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

  Post Number: C/0025348