Back Land and Water Officer

Organizational Setting

FAO's Land and Water Division (NSL) foresees a future whereby governments, development partners, civil society, academic institutions, and the private sector and farmers, all work together to ensure that land, soil, and water resources are wisely used, conserved, and restored for sustainable and resilient agrifood systems that support food security, nutrition, and human wellbeing.

NSL provides policy guidance, technical and financial assistance to Members in developing policies, programmes, best practices and management tools for ensuring productive and efficient use of land, soil and water resources to meet present and future demands for agricultural products, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of these resources. It promotes equitable access to and sustainable management of these natural resources with a view to enhancing productivity, livelihoods, equity, health and ecosystem services.

Under the FAO Conceptual Framework for Integrated Land and Water Resources Management, NSL will work towards a core set of five integrated and strategic Objectives and Action Areas that have been elaborated to cut across the thematic land, water, soils, and geospatial areas of work of the Division: (1) Good Governance; (2) Wise use and restoration; (3) Mitigation and resilience; (4) Integrated solutions; (5) Data, digitalization, technology and innovation.

The post is located in the Water Unit of Land and Water Division (NSL) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Land and Water Officer reports to the Senior Land and Water Officer.

Technical Focus

Water policy, water resources planning, water governance in relation to the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. The incumbent will contribute to the implementation of the initiative on 'National Water Roadmap towards 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)' and support the delivery of outputs and products as developed under the initiative.

Identify and promote sustainable soil management practices, integrated soil fertility management, support field fertilization trials, and engage with extension services, farmer organizations and educational institutions to facilitate knowledge transfer and capacity-building in soil management.

Key Results

Collection and analysis of information, data, statistics and project/meeting services to support programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• Collects and analyses relevant technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and/or statistics to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
• Undertakes analysis, provides technical input for plans and reports and edits/revises technical/scientific documents.
• Participates in the development of improved work methods, tools and systems.
• Updates databases and web pages.
• Participates in multidisciplinary project/work teams.
• Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.
• Participates in the organization, conduct and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the development/production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

   

  Specific Functions

  • Conducts research and analysis; provides technical inputs to NSL's publications and knowledge products on water resources planning and governance.
  • Prepares briefings, documents and presentations on water resource governance and National Water Roadmaps for internal and external meetings and conferences, including meetings of FAO Governing Bodies, bilateral meetings and other global fora.
  • Contributes to the planning, designing and organization of internal and external technical meetings, policy dialogues with Members and multi-stakeholders on water resources governance and soil management.
  • Identifies locally adapted soil management practices, including fertilizer use efficiency and formula fertilization.
  • Supports the establishment of field trials to test and validate prioritized soil management practices and fertilizer commendations.
  • Contributes to the development of national decision support tools that incorporate soil management and fertility data.
  • Participates in capacity-building activities, such as workshops and trainings, to enhance national capacities in soil management and fertility.
  • Supports the development of national capacities for fertilizer analysis and alternative nutrient sources.
  • Supports the improvement of national extension services on soil fertility and fertilizer recommendation in the project target countries.
  • Assists internal and external partners to support related policy formulation and development process.
  • Provides technical support to water governance and soil management initiatives and projects.
  • Contributes to the FAO-China SSC Fund project implementation on soil management and water governance.
  • Aids in monitoring and reporting project progress.
  • Supports the establishment of relationships with project stakeholders, including government agencies and relevant organizations.
  • Supports collaboration and information sharing among project partners.
  • Performs other duties as required.

     

    CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

     

    Minimum Requirements

    • Advanced university degree in agriculture, hydrology, soil science, plant nutrition, water resources governance, natural resources management, geography, environment, or related field.
    • Three years of relevant experience in water resources and soil management and proven experience in soil fertility management, water policy research and development.
    • Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

       

      Competencies

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

         

        Technical/Functional Skills

        • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
        • Extent and relevance of experience in coordinating international projects and relevant partnerships.
        • Capacity to consolidate and synthesize information in reports and presentations while ensuring quality.
        • Demonstrated capabilities in delivering results in time and quality.
        • Demonstrated capacity to write comprehensive technical reports on soil management and water resources in English.
        • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.