Irrigation and Rural Infrastructure Engineer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Irrigation and Rural Infrastructure Engineer
Location: Rome
Country: Italy
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) is dedicated to providing investment and finance solutions that enhance the efficiency, sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience of agrifood systems. Established to support FAO Members, the Centre operates in over 120 countries, collaborating with various stakeholders including governments, international and national financing institutions, the private sector, farmers, research institutions, and academia. The Centre focuses on strategic investment planning and policy, public and private investment, and innovative finance, complemented by knowledge sharing and capacity development programs aimed at improving agrifood investment quality and quantity.

Job Overview:
The Irrigation and Rural Infrastructure Engineer will play a crucial role in providing analytical and technical support on water resources management, irrigation, drainage, and rural infrastructure. This position involves formulating, implementing, and evaluating investment policies, strategies, programs, and projects in the domains of food and agriculture, rural development, natural resource management, and agro-processing. The engineer will be expected to deliver investment and finance support solutions through technical expertise and capacity development, working closely with country stakeholders and partners to achieve significant impacts in transforming agrifood systems in alignment with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key functions of the position include participating in and potentially leading multidisciplinary teams to assist governments in identifying and preparing investment initiatives in security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, agriculture, rural development, and natural resource management. The engineer will also provide technical expertise for the preparation of studies and strategies related to food and agriculture, support the development of inclusive agrifood systems, and formulate capacity development initiatives. Additional responsibilities include preparing documents according to FAO and partner requirements, supporting task organization, promoting international cooperation, and participating in resource mobilization activities. Specific functions involve project/program formulation for irrigation and drainage, providing technical expertise to various stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with national strategies and financing partners' requirements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in irrigation engineering, agriculture water resources management, or a closely related field. A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in irrigation, drainage, rural infrastructure, and agriculture water management is required, including engineering design, construction, and supervision. Proficiency in English (level C) and limited knowledge of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) at an intermediate level (level B) is mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree specifically in irrigation engineering, agriculture water resources management, or a closely related field. This advanced degree is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to effectively perform the duties associated with the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in the fields of irrigation, drainage, rural infrastructure, and agriculture water management. This experience should encompass engineering design, construction, supervision, and institutional setups for systems operation and maintenance related to investments. Candidates should also have experience working in various locations or areas, particularly in field positions, and should demonstrate a strong background in leading or participating in multidisciplinary teams for strategy preparation and evaluation.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is a proficient working knowledge of English (level C). Additionally, candidates must have a limited knowledge of another official FAO language, which can include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, at an intermediate level (level B). This bilingual capability is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the international context of the FAO's work.

Additional Notes:
While the job posting does not specify a deadline for applications, it is important for candidates to note that the position is likely to be full-time and may involve international recruitment. The role is based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, and candidates should be prepared for potential travel and collaboration with various stakeholders in the agrifood sector. Compensation and benefits details are not provided in the job description, but candidates can expect a competitive package commensurate with their experience and qualifications.