Water Resources Management and Drought Management Expert
Organizational Context
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a United Nations agency dedicated to achieving food security for all and ensuring access to quality food for active, healthy lives. Operating in over 130 countries since 1978, FAO's Representation in Vietnam (FAOVN) in Hanoi supports national efforts. Currently, FAO is undertaking a rapid drought assessment in Vietnam, leveraging international best practices in drought monitoring, forecasting, and management. This initiative aims to provide a forward-looking analysis of drought risks in the Central Highlands, particularly under forecasted El Niño conditions for 2026, integrating climate data and sectoral analysis to inform resilient water resource management and climate adaptation strategies.
Job Purpose
The incumbent will provide crucial technical quality assurance for FAOVN's rapid drought assessment concerning anticipated drought conditions in the Central Highlands, exacerbated by the forecasted 2026 El Niño event. This role involves building upon existing FAO drought assessments and other relevant data. The expert will contribute technical insights into the impacts of drought on water resources management, synthesize inputs from a multidisciplinary team, and be responsible for drafting the comprehensive final assessment report, including actionable recommendations for FAOVN. The objective is to enhance drought preparedness and resilience in the region.
Responsibilities
The expert will support the Water Resources Specialist in managing the drafting of the rapid drought assessment, ensuring timely completion of all deliverables. Responsibilities include reviewing existing FAO drought assessments and relevant national/international reports, policies, and guidance for the Central Highlands. The role involves analyzing historical agricultural drought conditions, focusing on high-value crops like coffee and pepper, and assessing current drought management practices, policies, and provincial readiness to identify gaps. Collaboration with the team will be key to integrating climate outlooks, El Niño assessments, and agricultural water demand into the drought assessment, evaluating water resource availability during dry seasons and drought conditions. The expert will synthesize multidisciplinary findings to assess the impact of El Niño on drought, agriculture, water supply, and water resources management. Reviewing and incorporating international best practices in drought preparedness and anticipatory action into the Vietnamese context is also required. Additionally, the expert will provide technical input for stakeholder consultations and validation workshops, and support the finalization of the assessment report.
Work Experience
A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in water resources management, hydrology, and drought management is required. At least 10 of these years must be dedicated to work within the Central Highlands region. Experience in drought monitoring, early warning systems, and disaster risk assessment is highly advantageous. Familiarity with irrigation systems, agricultural water management, and groundwater resources in the Central Highlands is also beneficial.
Skills
The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical thinking, interpersonal, and report writing skills, with the ability to deliver high-quality technical outputs under tight deadlines. Proven experience in leading multidisciplinary technical assessments and preparing comprehensive reports is essential. The role requires strong knowledge of water resources and drought management in a development context, coupled with a solid understanding of drought management policies and institutional arrangements in Vietnam. Familiarity with irrigation systems, agricultural water management, and groundwater resources in the Central Highlands is important. Experience in drought monitoring and early warning systems is beneficial, as is modeling experience in drought, water resources, or disaster risk assessment. The ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, particularly within multilateral organizations, is crucial. Experience collaborating with government agencies, research institutions, development partners, and relevant technical stakeholders in Vietnam is highly valued. Previous experience with FAO, other UN agencies, or international organizations is an advantage.