Organizational Setting
FAO Iraq is leading the development, promotion, oversight, and implementation of strategies to address countrywide food, agriculture, and rural development, while also leveraging partnership with relevant government ministries. FAO is implementing a Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded project in Southern Iraq to enhance the resilience of vulnerable agricultural households, particularly vulnerable to climate change risks. This project aims to enhance water productivity, food security, and the overall resilience of these households by: (i) promoting and applying more equitable climate-smart agricultural production practices among smallholder farmers, including both men and women; (ii) increasing recognition among farmers and agricultural department staff of the important role, women play in promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA); and (iii) encouraging the adoption of solar energy as a key strategy to advance climate-smart practices and reduce the workload for women in rural households, through collaborative efforts between the government and target population in the targeted areas.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative (FAOR), the direct supervision of the Deputy FAO Representative, and in coordination with the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and relevant HQ Technical Officers, the incumbent will undertake the tasks and responsibilities aligned with the technical focus of the assignment.
Technical Focusย
(i) Designing and implementing Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS), (ii) Solar Energy to Irrigation infrastructure, Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer (iii) Collaboration and Partnership for Solar System Projects/Schemes.ย
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย Oversee the entire project lifecycle for solar PV pumping installations (4 large-scale and 36 small-scale systems) in Al Najaf and Al Muthana Governorates, including supply, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning, handover, and maintenance.
โข ย ย Conduct technical evaluations of offers from potential suppliers for PV systems, ensuring compliance with standard criteria.
โข ย ย Supervise contractors' resources (labor/staff, equipment, and materials), installation protocols, timeframes, methods, and modalities.
โข ย ย Ensure contractors follow approved designs, material technical specifications, and work quality standards across all sites.
โข ย ย Technically backstop and inform the project technical advisor of any deviations from original designs or installation layouts/standards, or any necessary site-specific improvements.
โข ย ย Conduct post-installation checks of solar systems on all sites with FAO field staff, contractors, stakeholders, and beneficiaries for performance verification.
โข ย ย Maintain detailed records of the installation process and progress, including reports on activities, challenges, and solutions.
โข ย ย Prepare and maintain detailed records of all technical assessments, inspections, installations, and post-installation inspections.
โข ย ย Submit regular progress reports throughout the assignment, detailing the status of design, site assessments, stakeholder engagement, installation activities, quality assurance, and safeguard compliance to the project technical advisor and to the relevant government department(s).
โข ย ย Provide a detailed final report upon completion, encompassing all aspects of the project, including an overview of the system installation process, approaches used, final designs, implementation outcomes, challenges faced, and recommendations for future projects.
โข ย ย Document lessons learned and best practices for future FAO solar energy projects.
โข ย ย Engage with relevant stakeholders at ministries (Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Electricity) and governorate-level directorates for compliance, technical coordination, capacity building, training, post-installation service support, and advisory services.
โข ย ย Engage with local communities to address concerns, promote acceptance, and ensure alignment with project objectives and systems' social and environmental standards.
โข ย ย Supervise contractor-led training for beneficiaries and the Department of Water Resources (DoWR) as per the approved operational and maintenance manual.
โข ย ย Facilitate a smooth handover of large-scale systems to the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) and Directorates of Water Resources (DoWR), Water Users Associations, and small-scale systems to farmer beneficiaries.
โข ย ย Ensure contractor compliance with project social and environmental standards, as agreed, and with relevant national legal frameworks.
โข ย ย Prepare a gender-sensitive roadmap for solar electrification and inclusive participation of men and women, for influencing policy and advocating for solar electrification.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย University degree in Engineering (especially Renewable Energy, Electrical, or Mechanical), or a closely related technical fieldย
โข ย ย At least 5 years of relevant experience in engineering, energy management
โข ย ย Working knowledge of English
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skillsย
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation
โข ย ย Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in supporting, advising and guiding the implementation of complex multi-stakeholder projects
โข ย ย Extent of experience in formulation, implementation and monitoring of projects
โข ย ย Ability to develop plans for the implementation and coordination of project operations in developing countries, in partnership with UN agencies and other concerned stakeholders and/or partners
โข ย ย Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures is an asset.
Selection Criteria
โข ย ย Knowledge of Arabic Language is preferredย