Irrigation Engineer

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Country Offices aim to assist governments in developing policies, programs, and projects for food security, hunger reduction, and sustainable development in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. This includes managing natural and environmental resources. In South Sudan, the Irrigation Engineer will support the Aweil Rice Irrigation Scheme, focusing on its design, rehabilitation, expansion, and sustainable management. The role operates under the direct supervision of the Head of the Engineering Unit and the overall guidance of the FAO Country Representative.

Job Purpose

The Irrigation Engineer will play a crucial role in the design, rehabilitation, expansion, and sustainable management of the Aweil Rice Irrigation Scheme in South Sudan. This position is integral to enhancing rice production and optimizing water use efficiency through effective planning, design, supervision, and quality assurance of irrigation and water control infrastructure. The incumbent's work will directly contribute to the agricultural development and food security objectives within the region, ensuring that infrastructure projects meet technical standards and operational requirements.

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive technical support for all water and civil engineering aspects of the project, including canal systems, intake structures, control gates, boreholes, drainage, embankments, and access roads. Prepare engineering drawings, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), scopes of work, and technical specifications for irrigation and construction. Assist in preparing tender documents and evaluating bids according to FAO procedures. Conduct field assessments and surveys to evaluate existing irrigation and civil engineering infrastructure. Supervise and monitor rehabilitation and construction works, ensuring adherence to designs, standards, timelines, and budgets. Implement quality control measures and provide technical guidance to contractors and site teams on engineering methodologies, flow regulation, and water distribution. Prepare technical progress reports, identify deviations, and propose corrective actions. Certify completed works and prepare final completion certificates. Provide regular updates on progress, constraints, risks, and lessons learned to relevant units. Perform additional tasks to enhance project outcomes and operational effectiveness.

Work Experience

Requires a minimum of five years of proven experience in designing and supervising irrigation and civil engineering infrastructure projects, such as canals and diversion structures. Experience in preparing construction completion reports and as-built drawings for irrigation and water management infrastructure is necessary. A university degree in a relevant engineering field from a recognized institution is mandatory. Working knowledge of English is required, with a local language being an asset. The candidate must be a national of South Sudan.

Skills

Proficiency in preparing Bills of Quantities (BoQs), technical specifications, and engineering drawings for irrigation works. Ability to conduct on-site assessments and produce accurate technical reports on progress and quality. Experience in representing FAO in meetings with local authorities on infrastructure development. Skilled in AutoCAD/ARCHICAD and MS Office. Demonstrated experience in conducting field surveys for irrigation projects, including topographic and hydraulic assessments. Experience in contract management for civil works, particularly in irrigation systems and canal construction. Experience in the technical evaluation of bids for civil works contracts is advantageous. Strong results focus, teamwork, communication, relationship building, and knowledge sharing abilities are expected.

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