Agricultural Water Demand and Irrigation Expert
Organizational Context
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a United Nations agency dedicated to defeating hunger and promoting food security globally. Operating in over 130 countries since 1978, FAO's Vietnam Representation in Hanoi supports national efforts. Currently, FAO is undertaking a drought assessment in Vietnam, leveraging international best practices in drought monitoring, forecasting, and management. This initiative includes a forward-looking analysis of drought risks in the Central Highlands, integrating climate forecasts and sectoral risk analysis to provide recommendations for resilient water management and climate adaptation.
Job Purpose
The Agricultural Water Demand and Irrigation Expert will be instrumental in providing specialized technical knowledge concerning water demand, with a particular focus on agricultural water usage. This role involves in-depth analysis of irrigation systems and their performance, as well as evaluating the specific impacts of drought conditions on crop production within the Central Highlands region. The expert's contributions will be crucial for informing drought preparedness strategies and ensuring the sustainability of agricultural activities in the face of water scarcity.
Responsibilities
The expert will review existing FAO drought assessments and related studies on irrigation, agricultural water management, and drought impacts in the Central Highlands. This includes assessing current irrigation infrastructure, management practices, and water allocation. A key responsibility is to evaluate agricultural water demand for major cropping systems, especially high-value crops like coffee and pepper, under projected 2026 drought conditions. The role involves identifying vulnerabilities and constraints to agricultural water security during droughts, and collaborating with the team to integrate water demand into the overall assessment. Furthermore, the expert will review best practices in drought management and water-saving irrigation technologies, contributing recommendations for enhanced preparedness and water use efficiency. Participation in stakeholder consultations and workshops, along with contributing to the final report, are also essential duties.
Work Experience
A minimum of 10 years of professional experience is required in areas such as irrigation, water resources planning, agricultural water management, or agricultural drought assessment. Experience specifically within the Central Highlands region is highly preferred. Demonstrated expertise in irrigation planning and agricultural water demand assessment is also crucial for this role.
Skills
The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in agricultural water management and irrigation, with proven experience in assessing crop water requirements, irrigation systems, and agricultural vulnerability under drought conditions. Familiarity with water-saving irrigation technologies and climate-smart agriculture is important. Excellent analytical and technical report-writing skills are essential, as is the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams. Experience collaborating with government agencies, research institutions, and development partners in Vietnam is highly valued. Modelling experience in crop water management or agricultural water demands is considered an advantage.