Back WRM and Irrigation 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.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

The FAO is assisting the Ministry of Jal Shakti in implementing a modern irrigation system in India through the installation of ambitious Pressure Piped Irrigation Systems (PPIS) across several states. This initiative integrates fibre-optic infrastructure to enable digital agriculture, real-time water monitoring, and precision irrigation practices. While this advanced infrastructure is a critical step toward modernizing India’s irrigation systems, the success of these initiatives relies heavily on effective local governance and sustainable water management strategies. Recognizing this, the Ministry has requested FAO’s assistance in strengthening Water Users Associations (WUAs) to ensure community-based management of these systems. FAO will support the development of a smart irrigation strategy, including water allocation methods that ensure water use monitoring, equitable distribution, and efficient use of both surface and groundwater resources.

The program is in its early stages, with pilot projects being initiated and implemented in states like Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Haryana. It involves the modernization of the irrigation system in India through a Pressure Piped Irrigation infrastructure from the source to the farmers' plots, equipped with smart digital technologies, including smart meters and real-time data dashboards to generate data, control and monitor water use, and inform decisions at various levels.

One of the key focus areas of the program is engaging with Water User Associations (WUAs) in the project locations and local institutions to build community ownership and responsibility for the management, maintenance, and distribution of water resources in the area. Strengthening the capacities of WUAs, building a strong governance structure, and identifying means and measures to help WUAs undertake overall resource management will be crucial for sustaining the outcomes. Another focus is the promotion of climate-smart agriculture, which will help farmers switch to and adopt conservation methods, optimize resources, and strengthen resilience in the agriculture sector. Thus, the success of the overall program is an interdependent relationship between the infrastructure, digital technology, community ownership, and regenerative climate-smart practices on the ground.

The position will be based in New Delhi and will support the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, working under the overall direction of the Commissioner of Irrigation.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in India and direct reporting to the National Project Manager and working in close coordination with the Technical Officers, FAOIN management and other project managers, the consultant will be placed in the Ministry of Jal Shakti, laterally reporting to the Irrigation Commissioner and working closely with other team members in the Ministry and other key stakeholders.

Technical Focus

Design and implement identified components of the projects under FAO-Ministry partnership including analysis of data to provide timely and evidence-based reports to inform program decisions.

Tasks and responsibilities

Overall 
•    Provide overall technical support and assistance for preparing the pilot projects under the irrigation project. Offer technical guidance, ensure the quality of work, and guarantee timely delivery of outputs.
•    Maintain close coordination among FAO, the Ministry, the project implementation team, and other executing and implementing agencies.
•    Review policy guidelines and institutional strengthening efforts undertaken within the project and integrate these into the project design.
•    Conduct periodic monitoring and reviews of project progress, focusing on milestone achievements. Report on performance in terms of scope, time, and cost management. Identify potential risks and suggest cost-effective mitigation strategies.
•    Develop a procedure and standard for thorough project documentation and reporting throughout the development, implementation, and post-implementation phases. Ensure that all lessons and experiences from project and contract implementation are well-documented for future capitalization and adaptation.

Climate Resilience
•    Conduct studies and analyses to incorporate climate change adaptation measures into the project scope and design.
•    Review the integration of climate-friendly sustainable agriculture practices among water users and farmers in the project area to develop synergies with the project.
•    Prepare a knowledge product focused on integrating climate resilience considerations into irrigation investments in India.
•    Coordinate and liaise with the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the project implementation team, and other relevant stakeholders such as the Agriculture Department, Horticulture Department, and district administration to incorporate lessons and capacity-building measures for gender and climate change into the project design and gender action plan.
•    Develop capacity-building plans to inform and educate farmers in the project area about sustainable agriculture practices.
•    Identify and facilitate the rollout of an appropriate Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system for sustainable agriculture in the project area.
•    Explore and develop linkages with value chain actors and carbon markets for sustainable agricultural produce from the project area.

Water Management and Community Ownership
•    Identify and propose options for improving on-farm water management practices through community participation and Water User Associations (WUAs).
•    Suggest designs and options for establishing and strengthening community participation by creating and enhancing WUAs in the project area.
•    Study, identify, analyse, and present management options to ensure the sustainability of the irrigation project through community ownership and WUAs, particularly in terms of maintenance and management of irrigation assets and water usage.
•    Study and propose management options for integrating WUAs with farmers' collectives to ensure the long-term sustainability and viability of community ownership of irrigation assets and operations.
•    Lead the development of capacity-building and skill development modules for training WUA and Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) leadership by identifying expert institutions and piloting and scaling training workshops.

Digital Technology and Data Management
•    Review the existing data collection, communication, and processing systems of the project, including smart digital solutions for monitoring user-level water consumption.
•    Suggest options and mechanisms to develop a Water Management Information System (WMIS) dashboard as a decision support system for the Ministry of Jal Shakti, to collect, process, and disseminate data to stakeholders.
•    Identify and analyse appropriate smart solutions, considering the user-friendliness of such technology-driven applications, and provide a comparative report to the program management.
•    Pilot test smart technologies and digital solutions, assess their operational efficiency and relevance, and provide critical feedback to the program management unit.
•    Design and develop capacity-building materials and tools to inform and educate stakeholders on the use of data and decision support systems.
•    Analyse and identify trends and lessons from the data, developing evidence-based knowledge to inform decisions at various levels.
•    Explore pathways to link water use data to national data systems like Agri Stack.

Miscellaneous
•    Participate in official meetings to represent FAO when requested by the FAOIN leadership.
•    Coordinate with the FAO Country Office, FAO Lead Technical Officers (LTOs), other National Experts.
•    Any other duties assigned by the FAOIN leadership.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced degree in civil engineering, water resources, irrigation or sustainable development
•    At least 10 years working experience in minor irrigation, water resource management or related fields with recognized technical expertise.
•    Experience in management of water sector projects like smart irrigation systems, community governed water management systems, etc.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of spoken and written English is essential and working proficiency in Hindi is desirable.
•    National of India.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Experience working with government agencies on development projects.
•    Extensive experience managing complex projects at national and regional levels.
•    Experience in capacity building for water user collectives.
•    Knowledge and experience in sustainable agriculture.
•    In-depth understanding of digital technology adoption in water management and decision support systems.
•    Strong technical knowledge and management skills, including the ability to provide strategic guidance, technical oversight, mentor staff, build strong teams, develop work plans, and manage budgets and project expenditures.
•    Excellent multicultural and interpersonal skills, with experience networking with partners at all levels (ministries, donors, private sector, NGOs, and local community-based organizations).
•    Experience working with international and donor organizations (e.g., World Bank, IFAD, Asian Development Bank) on the implementation of participatory projects.
•    Proven written, analytical, computing, presentation, and reporting skills.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION