Water Resources and International Waters Expert

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The FAO Subregional Office for Mesoamerica (SLM) is expanding its water resources management programme for sustainable food production, including a growing portfolio of projects financed by vertical funds such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), as well as other funding sources.

The FAO Subregional Office for Mesoamerica (SLM) implements the project 'Improving ridge-to-reef governance to reduce land-based drivers of impacts on the large marine ecosystems of the SICA region' (Cuenca al Mar – CAM), financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and executed by the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD). The project seeks to improve the environmental sustainability, economic prosperity and climate resilience of the large marine ecosystems of the Central American Pacific and the Caribbean, through an integrated ridge-to-reef approach that protects water and marine resources for the ecosystems and livelihoods of communities in the region.
The position will be based at the FAO Subregional Office for Mesoamerica in Panama, and travel to the countries involved in the project is expected.

Reporting Lines

The consultant will work under the supervision of the FAO Land and Water Officer in SLM, in close collaboration with the Better Environment and Better Production teams, FAO country offices, technical units in the Regional Office and at Headquarters, as well as with executing partners at regional and national level.

Technical Focus

The expert will provide technical support to the implementation of the CAM project, working with CCAD to ensure the effective and smooth execution of the project over its five-year duration. Responsibilities include technical backstopping and oversight of project activities, establishing and maintaining strong professional relationships with all partners, and supporting the Land and Water Officer and the CAM team in all matters necessary to ensure successful project implementation.

Tasks and responsibilities

International Waters

• Provide technical support to the implementation and operationalization of the GEF Cuenca al Mar (CAM) project, including contributions to annual operational planning (AOP), coordination with the executing agency (CCAD) and co-executing entities in SICA countries, participation in the Project Steering Committee, and overall oversight of the various aspects of project execution.
a. Comprehensive technical review of requests under the OPIM process. Carry out thorough technical reviews of all documents submitted for consideration by the implementing agency, including disbursement requests, technical progress reports, meeting agendas, terms of reference for consultancies and contracts, and any other relevant deliverables. Reviews shall verify the technical coherence and relevance of documents against the project logframe, its performance indicators, and GEF and FAO standards and procedures, formulating concrete observations and recommendations to guide the LTO's decision-making.
b. Comprehensive support to the project cycle. Accompany all phases of the project execution cycle, including: active participation in workshops, training events and technical meetings in SICA countries; provision of technical assistance in the field where necessary; guidance and technical alignment of national executing entities regarding the project's approaches, methodologies and expected results; and review of GEF monitoring and evaluation instruments, including Project Implementation Reports (PIR), the mid-term review and the terminal evaluation, ensuring that they faithfully reflect progress, lessons learned and recommendations arising from field execution.
• Contribute to the development and expansion of the GEF project portfolio in the International Waters focal area in Mesoamerica, supporting the preparation of Concept Notes (CN), Project Identification Forms (PIF) and project documents for Medium-Sized Projects (MSP) and Full-Sized Projects (FSP).
• Provide technical inputs for the design of projects addressing transboundary water governance, including groundwater management, source-to-sea approaches, basin governance and pollution reduction in shared water systems.
• Facilitate technical articulation with national institutions, regional organizations and other partners to support the development of transboundary water initiatives, including consultation processes with governments and relevant stakeholders.
• Support knowledge exchange and regional learning related to International Waters projects, including contributions to regional workshops, GEF IW learning events and exchange with other projects in the IW portfolio.
• Provide technical inputs for reporting and communication requirements associated with GEF IW projects, including responses to technical queries from partners or the GEF Secretariat, as appropriate.
• Provide technical advice to FAO SLM on water resources management for sustainable agriculture, including issues related to water governance, water allocation, drought management and water productivity in agriculture.
• Support the identification and formulation of new water-related initiatives and partnerships in Mesoamerica, including projects financed through the GEF, GCF, bilateral cooperation and FAO technical programmes.
• Contribute to analytical work, policy dialogue and technical guidance on water resources management issues relevant to the region, including:
a. water governance and institutional frameworks
b. water accounting and allocation
c. drought and water scarcity management
d. water–food–ecosystem linkages
e. climate resilience in water management for agriculture
• Provide technical review and quality assurance of reports, studies and products prepared by consultants, partners and project teams.
• Support the organization and delivery of regional dialogues, technical workshops, training events and knowledge products related to water governance and water resources management.
• Contribute technical inputs to FAO regional and global initiatives related to water management and sustainable agrifood systems.
• Undertake missions within the region as required to support project implementation, consultations with key stakeholders and the development of new projects.
• Provide support in the recruitment and selection of affiliate workforce (non-staff), in particular by participating in PSA.SBS/COF.REG selection panels.
• Contribute to the new Field Programme model in SLM, assuming roles such as Task Force member, Project Manager, Lead Technical Consultant (LTC) and/or alternate LTO, as appropriate.
• Other related functions as assigned by the Land and Water Officer for Mesoamerica and the technical team, including promoting the consideration of gender issues in the preparation of concept notes and in the follow-up to the work plan of the biennial Better Environment–SLM programme, in collaboration with the gender specialist.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in water resources management, hydrology, hydrogeology, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, civil engineering, sustainable development with a specialization in water resources, watershed management, natural resources management, environmental governance, environmental policy, geography, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), coastal and marine management, or related disciplines. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• 5 years of relevant experience in water resources management, water governance and/or development project implementation, preferably in the field of climate change or natural resources.
• Working knowledge of Spanish (level C) and limited knowledge of English (level B).

FAO Core 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.
• Extent and relevance of experience in international projects and/or coordination with multiple institutional actors will be valued.
• Experience in GEF-funded projects or other climate funds (GCF, international cooperation), including familiarity with instruments and reporting requirements (PIF, PIR, mid-term and terminal evaluations).
• Knowledge of transboundary water governance, including shared basin management, groundwater and source-to-sea approaches.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the formulation and design of international cooperation projects, including preparation of concept notes, logical frameworks and project documents.
• Experience in inter-institutional technical coordination with governments, regional bodies and international partners.
• Knowledge of integrated water resources management (IWRM) and its application in sustainable agrifood systems.
• Experience in drought and water scarcity management, the water–food–ecosystem nexus and climate resilience in the agricultural sector.
• Experience in technical review and quality control of products (reports, studies, ToRs, project documents).
• Working knowledge of project planning and monitoring tools (logical framework, theory of change, M&E), in line with methodologies used by FAO and/or international organizations.
• Experience in organizing and facilitating technical workshops, policy dialogues and participatory processes.
• Familiarity with FAO or other multilateral organizations' procedures and standards (desirable).
• Familiarity with the use of IT tools such as Excel, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and project management platforms.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For more information, visit the FAO employment website
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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