Irrigation and hydraulics design expert / FVAC18.010

Vacancy number: FVAC18.010

Name:

Promotion of Agricultural Livelihoods and Employment through Investment in Land Reclamation and Water Reservoirs

Job Title:

Irrigation and hydraulics design expert

Division/Department:

FAO Representation in Lebanon

Programme/Project Number:

OSRO/LEB/602/NET

Duty Station:

Beirut

Expected Start Date of Assignment:

August 1, 2018

Duration:

60 person-days (WAE until 30 November 2018)

Reports to:

Name:

Dany Lichaa El-Khoury

Title:

Project Manager / CTA

General Description of task(s) and objectives to be achieved

Background

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) is currently implementing a project funded by the Dutch Government and entitled “Promotion of Agricultural Livelihoods and Employment through Investment in Land Reclamation and Water Reservoirs” in close collaboration with the Green Plan. The project responds to the reduced livelihood and food security levels resulted from the Syrian crisis. It tackles its negative impact on the host communities through the support to the agriculture infrastructure development in small mountainous exploitations, and improving the agricultural productivity and the farmers’ income, in addition to the creation of employment opportunities for both host communities and Syrian displaced.

The project aims as well to build the capacities of Green Plan to assist poor farmers in deploying agriculture infrastructure, as well as to contribute to the implementation of the new Green Plan Strategy Plan 2015-2019 in sustaining rural livelihood while improving water and soil conservation.

The project has four Outputs:

Output 1: The Green Plan procedures are simplified, updated and tailored to the work requirements;

Output 2: All existing farmers’ applications are reviewed and suitable projects identified and approved;

Output 3: Land reclamation and water infrastructure construction sites are implemented;

Output 4: Sustainable agriculture production for individual small and medium male and female farmers are designed and supported with appropriate training;

This current assignment is part of Outputs 1 above. The project aims to build the Green Plan capacity in designing and tendering pressurized irrigation networks, from water sources (mainly hill-lakes) to farm parcels.

Specific objective of the assignment

The Irrigation and Hydraulics Expert is expected to:

1. Develop a standardized design for irrigation networks from source to farm gate;
2. Conduct a training on irrigation network design and tendering tailored to the needs of the Green Plan;
3. Coach the Green Plan staff in a real-case study from design to preparation of tender documents.

Duties, Responsibilities and Scope of Work

1. Assess the Green Plan needs and capacities in terms of irrigation network design (from Hill lakes to farm plots), preparation of detailed plans, and preparation of related tender documents;
2. Develop an irrigation network standardized design tailored to the needs of the Green Plan identified in point 1 including (but not limited to) all engineering reference materials, specifications, digital library, etc.;
3. Develop a 10-day tailored training where, the trainees will increase their knowledge in the principles of hydraulics and irrigation, and be able to:
   • Estimate the irrigation needs;
   • Design irrigation networks;
   • Produce a hydrological report including design criteria (max and min allowed velocity, type of pipes, diameter, flow…), irrigation schedule, etc.
   • Perform hydraulic modelling using WaterCAD or EPAnet;
   • Prepare technical specifications for the irrigation network (types of pipes, fittings…);
   • Produce the needed detailed plans and drawings;
   • Estimate the Bill of Quantities;
   • Prepare a tender document including instructions and forms, standard conditions of contract based on recognized international standards;
4. Conduct the above developed training for up to 15 trainees;
5. Coach the trained Green Plan staff in designing a real case irrigation network, preparing the technical specifications, detailed plans and drawing, estimating the quantities, and in developing a tender document (ready to be tendered). Data will be provided by the Green Plan.
6. Write and submit a case study coaching report;
7. Assist, if requested, in briefing meetings for the benefit of FAO Representative, Resilience Coordinator, Steering Committee, and senior related staff;

Profile and minimum expertise required

• Master Degree in Hydraulic Engineering, Irrigation or related fields;
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the field of planning and designing wet utilities;
• Proven experience in irrigation;
• Previous experience with Lebanese Public institutions, with Green Plan is an asset;
• Proficiency in using WaterCAD or EPANET, AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office;
• Previous experience in collaborating with agriculture development project and international and national experts would be a plus;
• Excellent written and oral working knowledge in English and Arabic;
• Initiative, judgment, organizational ability and a good sense of teamwork and human relations.

   

key performance indicators

Expected Outputs:

Required Completion Date:

1. Needs assessment report is prepared
2. Irrigation networks standardized design is produced
3. Training materials are produced
4. Training workshop is conducted and its report is prepared
5. Case study report is prepared

1. 15/08/2018
2. 01/09/2018
3. 15/09/2018
4. 30/09/2018
5. 30/11/2018