Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) highlights that the adaptation of agrifood systems to climate change is essential to ensure food security and sustainability. FAO emphasizes the need to integrate resilient practices that optimize the use of natural resources and reduce vulnerability to climate change.

The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus is a crucial comprehensive approach to addressing the complexity of the interactions between these fundamental elements. The interrelationships between water, energy, food and ecosystems are increasingly evident, especially in agri-food systems that are facing unprecedented challenges due to climate disruptions. For example, efficient water management can improve agricultural productivity, while the use of renewable energy can reduce the carbon footprint of food production

Reporting Lines

The specialist will report to the Consultant Specialist on Water and Integrated Water Resources Management of the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Land and the Water Officer of the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa who serves as Technical Coordinator of the Interregional Technical Platform on Water Scarcity (iRTP-WS).

Technical Focus

To address these challenges, it is crucial to implement innovative technologies and approaches that collaborate in climate change adaptation and mitigation. This includes the use of monitoring and evaluation technologies, such as remote sensing and early warning systems, the incorporation of adaptive technologies, and the promotion of energy efficiency. Integrating these elements in a coherent way will allow the development of solutions that balance human needs with the conservation of natural resources and the protection of ecosystems. The Consultancy falls under FAO’s RLC Regional Priority 3: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Adaptation to Climate Change, FAO’s RNE Priority 3: Greening agriculture, water scarcity and climate action, FAO’s RAP Priority Climate Action, Biodiversity and Natural Resources Management, and FAO’s RAF Priority Climate action and sustainable natural resource management.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Develop a Work plan agreed with the FAO technical team detailing tasks, activities, assigning deadlines, considering review deadlines by task force and specialists, assigning number of days to the products and reporting on them, validated with the technical team.
•    Identify the relevant elements and criteria for the selection and characterization of experiences where the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus has been put into action in irrigation systems.
•    At the cabinet level, compile successful experiences in the different subregions on innovative irrigation alternatives, using renewable energy which considers WEFE related tools and approaches.
•    Carry out consultation and exchange processes with different Officials and Technical Specialists/Experts from FAO and other organizations related to water management initiatives in agriculture to learn about the best experiences on the use of renewable energy technologies in the different regions/ subregions including in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Near East and North Africa.
•    Compile and systematize through the format of technical sheets successful experiences and best practices in the use of renewable energies for irrigated agriculture and energy efficiency practices, generating a database that serves as support for decision-making.
•    Develop an interregional policy brief on the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency practices in irrigation in the context of the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus.
•    Present the exercise of systematizing experiences and the policy brief to the various subregions to gather feedback and suggestions and modify the policy brief accordingly.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Advanced university degree in geography, agronomy, water resources engineering, renewable resources engineering, or related professions
•    5 years of relevant experience in multidisciplinary teams, facilitating consultation processes
•    Working knowledge of English and Spanish (level C).

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Advanced master’s and doctoral degrees in hydraulics and integrated water resources management
•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work
•    Demonstrated ability to analyse, synthesize, and present information in a clear and orderly manner
•    Experience and relevance of experience in issues related to water management in agriculture is desirable.
•    Experience and relevance of experience and/or knowledge of a gender, intercultural and generational approach is desirable
•    Experience working in multilateral and international organizationsº

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements