Water Resources Specialist
Somalia
- Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Location: Somalia
- Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
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Occupational Groups:
- Environment
- Water Resource Management
- Closing Date: 2025-11-18
IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
- 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’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
The key mission of the FAO Representation in Somalia, which is led by FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist and support the national government to develop policies, strategies and programme aimed at accelerating the Implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in FAO's global mandate and Strategic Objectives. More specifically, FAO's response aims to address national needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, developing agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources and respond to recurrent emergencies. The current portfolio of activities of the FAO Representation in Somalia includes a wide scope of technical support interventions ranging from policy support through livestock and crop production, to natural resource management, Nutrition, value chain, food security analysis and water and land information management. FAO is also implementing several emergency, resilience
The grade of the position is SC-10.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Somalia, and the direct supervision of supervision of the SWALIM Technical Adviser.
Technical Focus
The incumbent will be responsible to lead and the consolidation, quality control, and analysis of hydro-meteorological and groundwater data to support flood and drought risk management in Somalia
Tasks and responsibilities
• Be responsible for daily, weekly and monthly updating of all SWALIM online water systems, including Water Sources Live map (SWIMS), Flood Risk and Response Information Management (FRRMIS), Somalia Climate Data Series and Groundwater and Somalia National Rover Flow Archive.
• Ensure proper metadata documentation, archiving, and cataloguing of all hydrological and groundwater datasets in line with FAO/SWALIM data standards.
• Perform quality control on all the data sets generated from the monitoring network, both manual and automatic stations, and maintain SWALIM data quality standards.
• Perform statistical analysis of the hydrological and meteorological time series data held by SWALIM and other FAO Somalia projects including JOSP, and support in the co-production of early warning information products.
• Perform statistical analysis of groundwater data collected from the network of automatic groundwater stations and weekly monitoring and take a leading role in the co-production of groundwater status bulletin.
• Collaborate with FAO/FSNAU, DRM agencies, and humanitarian partners to integrate water data into food security, agriculture, and resilience programming.
• Provide technical input to other FAO Somalia sectors (Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries) on water-related aspects of project design and implementation.
• Contribute to SWALIM water theme activities including hydrological and water resources studies and surveys, development of data collection tools, data and information analysis, training of Government line ministry staff.
• Work closely with the water resources assistant in consolidating all the hydro-meteorological and groundwater monitoring data from field observers.
• Perform rainfall-runoff and hydrological modelling for Somalia as may be required, including the use of WaPOR, to support different FAO sectors in ongoing initiatives and project proposals.
• Support the Lead Meteorologist in bias-correction of the satellite meteorological information.
• Attend specific client information requests and tailor-make information to meet the needs of the various user groups.
• Work closely with the Senior Hydrologist in engaging in the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources at Federal and State level on the implementation of the joint work plan with FAO.
• Promote and increase the use of SWALIM water resources information and databases within FAO Somalia and partners, addressing water resources information needs, and obtain regular feedback on usage of SWALIM water information products.
• Undertake on the job training and capacity building activities for Government line ministry and IMCs staff to manage the water resources information systems, under the overall SWALIM transition plan.
• Attend monthly WASH cluster meetings, make presentations and promote the SWALIM activities to the partners, and report back to SWALIM follow up actions
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in Hydrology, Water Resources Engineering, Hydrometeorology, Hydrogeology, Environmental Engineering, or related field
• At least 5 years of previous experience in hydrological or hydro-meteorological monitoring, modelling and analysis
• Working knowledge (level C) of English
• National of Somalia.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Communicating to build understanding and support.
• Engaging in continuous learning.
• Planning, organizing and delivering quality results.
• Understanding FAO mandate and its global context.
• Working together in teams and partnerships.
• Experience working directly with government institutions and/or humanitarian or development partners in water resources management
• Demonstrated experience with Water information systems and database management. Flood/drought risk assessment and early warning systems, Hydrological statistical analysis and quality assurance workflows
• Understanding data collection, analysis and information management processes
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Selection Criteria
• Knowledge of second UN language will be assets.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/
- For additional employment opportunities 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.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.