Specialist for Water User Groups Capacity Building

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is a specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. In Lao PDR, FAO is implementing various projects to enhance agricultural productivity and improve rural livelihoods, particularly in the context of climate resilience and sustainable resource management.

Job Overview:
The position of Specialist for Water User Groups Capacity Building is integral to the FAO's project titled 'Enhancement of Livelihood Resilience in Rural Areas (LRRA)', which is funded by the Government of Japan. The project aims to strengthen the resilience, income, and food security of rural households in 48 villages across seven districts in Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces. The Specialist will be responsible for developing and delivering a two-day training program aimed at enhancing the capacity of Water User Groups (WUGs) in areas such as water use efficiency, soil conservation, and the operation and maintenance of small-scale irrigation facilities. This role will utilize a Training of Trainers approach, ensuring that knowledge and skills are effectively transferred to a broader group of farmers, ultimately reaching 350 individuals. The Specialist will work closely with various stakeholders, including provincial and district agriculture and environment offices, to ensure the successful implementation of training sessions and the overall objectives of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Specialist will undertake a comprehensive set of duties, including:

• Reviewing key project documents such as the Project Document, Infrastructure Assessments, Needs Assessments, Baseline Report, and Logical Framework to inform training design.
• Designing a practical two-day training curriculum for Water User Groups, which will cover essential topics such as governance, water allocation, irrigation system operation and maintenance, financial management, recordkeeping, and conflict resolution.
• Preparing pre- and post-training assessments to evaluate knowledge gained by participants.
• Delivering engaging training sessions in both Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces, utilizing participatory and adult-learning methods to facilitate effective learning.
• Supporting participants in conducting Training of Trainers activities within their own Water User Groups to ensure knowledge dissemination.
• Preparing a final report that summarizes training outcomes, analyzes assessment results, and provides practical recommendations for enhancing WUG functionality.
• Traveling to training sites as required to deliver training and support participants.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in irrigation engineering, water resources management, agriculture, rural development, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of experience working with Water User Groups, farmer water management systems, small-scale irrigation schemes, or community-based natural resource management is required. Candidates should also have a working knowledge of English and Lao, both written and spoken, and must be a national of Lao PDR or a resident with a valid work permit.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in a relevant field such as irrigation engineering, water resources management, agriculture, or rural development. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of water management and agricultural practices in rural settings, particularly in the context of climate resilience and sustainable development.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in areas such as working with Water User Groups, managing small-scale irrigation schemes, or engaging in community-based natural resource management. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to design and deliver capacity-building programs effectively, particularly in rural contexts where practical skills and knowledge transfer are crucial for enhancing community resilience.

Languages:
Proficiency in both English and Lao is mandatory for this position, as effective communication with local stakeholders and participants is essential. While knowledge of additional languages may be beneficial, it is not explicitly required for this role.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to involve travel to training sites in Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces as necessary. The role is likely to be full-time, and candidates should be prepared to engage with various stakeholders, including local authorities and community groups. Compensation and benefits details are not specified in the job posting, but candidates should inquire about these aspects during the application process.