Water Resources Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Viet Nam has successfully secured GEF CEO endorsement of the two GEF projects:

1.    Enhancing Water Security, Biodiversity, and Resilience of Livelihoods through Integrated Water Resources Management and Ecosystem Restoration in Viet Nam’s Red River Basin Project (GCP/VIE/11131/GFF) - under the GEF Ecosystem Restoration Integrated Programme (ERIP).
2.    Enhancing water management and compliance to address hypoxia caused by nutrients, and other pollutants, into the Gulf of Tonkin (GCP/VIE/11350/GFF) - under the Clean and Healthy Ocean Integrated Programme (CHO IP).

The Red River Basin project (GCP/VIE/11131/GFF) aims to apply Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Ecosystem Restoration approaches to enhance water security, reverse ecosystem degradation, sustain biodiversity, and strengthen livelihood resilience. It will establish ecosystem restoration practices at scale, using improved water management as a driver and connector for cross-sectoral coordination.

The Clean and Healthy Ocean project (GCP/VIE/11350/GFF) seeks to address hypoxia in the Gulf of Tonkin by reducing land-based nutrient-rich pollution from rural domestic wastewater, agriculture, and aquaculture in the Red River Delta.
Together, these projects contribute to SDG 6 (Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all), FAO’s Country Programming Framework (CPF) Outcome 2 (Climate Change Response, Disaster Resilience, and Environmental Sustainability), and FAO’s Corporate Programme Priority Areas (PPAs) on Better Production and Better Environment.
The Red River Basin project is in its inception phase, while the Gulf of Tonkin project is at the final stage of Government approval and will soon commence inception.

FAO Viet Nam seeks an experienced Water Resources Specialist to provide technical support for the effective delivery of these projects, as well as assisting with development of new project opportunities within the country’s water portfolio.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in Viet Nam.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support the effective implementation of the Viet Nam Country Office’s water-focused projects and contribute to the expansion of the water portfolio under the next country programme project cycle.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Viet Nam, the day-to-day management and technical supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in Viet Nam and the Lead Technical Officers (LTOs) in FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAO RAP), and in collaboration with FAO GEF Programme Technical Specialist and the Programme Analyst, the Water Resources Expert will be responsible for providing technical support and management of the implementation of the two abovementioned GEF projects, specifically:
•     Provide technical oversight and ensure project implementation is consistent with GEF and FAO policies.
•     Guide and supervise Project Executing Agencies to ensure alignment with approved Project Documents and achievement of objectives.
•     Review and provide inputs on project documents (e.g., workplans, budgets, M&E plans, Gender Action Plans, ESS plans, procurement plans, concept notes, terms of reference, assessment and technical reports).
•     Monitor project progress against approved workplans and ensure timely delivery of outputs.
•     Support financial monitoring by reviewing quarterly financial reports, Requests for Funds (RFF), and procurement plans.
•     Undertake regular monitoring missions and annual supervision missions to assess progress, identify challenges, and recommend corrective actions.
•     Participate in technical discussions, coordination meetings, and stakeholder consultations.
•     Contribute to annual audits, spot checks, mid-term and terminal evaluations, and related stakeholder engagements.
•     Coordinate with Executing Agencies to provide inputs to Global Coordination Projects (Ecosystem Restoration and Clean and Healthy Ocean).
•     Ensure timely submission of project reports (Project Progress Reports - PPR, Project Implementation Reports - PIR) in line with M&E requirements.
•     Draft and contribute to all reports required by GEF and FAO.
•     Respond to requests for information and provide technical inputs as needed.
•     Perform other related tasks as required.
•     Provide respond to any requests for further information on the projects.
•     Identify and elaborate potential project ideas and contribute to the development of project concept notes.
•     Any other tasks as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  
 
[the minimum requirements need to be customized to the specific needs of the recruiting unit ]

•     High level academic degree (Masters or PhD) in Water Resources, Hydraulic/Hydrologic Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field;
•     At least 10 years relevant experience working in water resources management with at least 5 years in developing country contexts;
•     Working knowledge of English;
•     National of Viet Nam.

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Strong analytical thinking, interpersonal skills as well as report writing skills;
•     Relevant experience in working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, particularly in multilateral organizations;
•     Experience in networking with partners in Viet Nam at all levels (Ministries, donors, private sector, NGOs and local community-based organizations);
•     Relevant experience in coordinating and working with both international and local institutions.
Proven ability to deliver quality outputs working under tight deadlines.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION