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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
- FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members - 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide and has started working in Viet Nam since 1978 with its Representation (Country Office) opened in Ha Noi.
FAO is looking to conduct a rapid drought assessment in Viet Nam, building upon existing FAO-supported drought assessment. It aims to draw upon international experiences and best practices in drought monitoring, forecasting, anticipatory action, and integrated drought management to identify lessons applicable to Viet Nam. It will also provide a comprehensive, forward-looking analysis of drought risks in the Central Highlands under the forecasted El Niño conditions of 2026. The assessment will integrate climate forecasting, drought risk analysis across sectors, and gap analysis to generate evidence-based recommendations for resilient water resources management and climate adaptation. The findings will support national and provincial authorities in strengthening drought preparedness, protecting agricultural production and rural livelihoods, safeguarding water security, and enhancing the long-term resilience of one of Viet Nam's most economically and environmentally important regions.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent is put under the overall supervision by the FAO Representative, technical supervision by the Lead Technical Officer in FAO-RAP, and day-to-day management by Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and the Water Resources Specialist.
Technical Focus
The Agricultural Water Demand and Irrigation Expert will provide technical expertise on water demand (especially agricultural water use), irrigation systems, and drought impacts on crop production in the Central Highlands.
Tasks and responsibilities
Working under the overall supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and in close collaboration with the Team Leader and relevant technical agencies, the Agricultural Water Demand and Irrigation Expert shall:
• Review the existing FAO drought assessment and other relevant studies related to irrigation development, agricultural water management, and drought impacts in the Central Highlands.
• Review current irrigation infrastructure, irrigation management practices, and water allocation arrangements relevant to drought preparedness in the study area.
• Assess agricultural water demand for the major cropping systems in the study area, particularly high-value crops such as coffee and pepper, under the anticipated 2026 drought conditions (in collaboration with other team members).
• Assess the potential implications of the forecasted drought on agricultural production and rural livelihoods, considering available water resources and irrigation capacity.
• Identify key vulnerabilities and constraints affecting agricultural water security during drought conditions.
• Collaborate with other team members to integrate agricultural water demand into the overall drought assessment.
• Review national and international good practices in agricultural drought management, water-saving irrigation technologies, and climate-resilient agricultural water management.
• Contribute to the report section on practical recommendations to strengthen agricultural drought preparedness and improve water use efficiency.
• Participate in and provide technical input for consultation meetings and the validation workshop with various stakeholders.
• Contribute to the preparation of the final assessment report.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (MSc or PhD) in Irrigation Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Agronomy, or another closely related discipline;
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in irrigation, water resources planning, agricultural water management, or agricultural drought assessment, preferably in Central Highlands;
• Working knowledge of English and Vietnamese;
• National of Viet Nam or resident of the country with valid work permit.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Demonstrated expertise in agricultural water management and irrigation;
• Demonstrated expertise and experience in assessing crop water requirements, irrigation systems, agricultural vulnerability and water management under drought conditions;
• Modelling experience in crop water management, agricultural water demands, irrigation is a plus;
• Familiarity with water-saving irrigation technologies and climate-smart agriculture.
• Strong analytical and technical report-writing skills.
• Ability to deliver high-quality technical outputs within tight timelines;
• Relevant experience in working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, particularly in multilateral organizations;
• Experience working with government agencies at all levels, research institutions, development partners, and relevant technical stakeholders in Viet Nam;
• Previous experience working with FAO, other UN agencies, development partners, or international organizations is an advantage.
Selection Criteria
• Demonstrated experience in irrigation planning and agricultural water demand assessment;
• Familiarity with agricultural production systems in the Central Highlands, particularly perennial crops;
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
- Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
- Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
- For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
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