Job Posting: 26 May 2026
Closure Date: 17 June 2026, 12:59 AM
Organizational Unit: FRSSD — FAO Representation in South Sudan
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: Consultant
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: South Sudan — Aweil
Duration: 11 months with possibility of extension
Post Number: N/A

Source: FAO vacancy announcement shared for AfricaVET adaptation.

Important Notice

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — FAO — reminds applicants that the closure date and time displayed may depend on the date and time settings of their personal device. Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to submit their applications well before the deadline.

FAO is committed to workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture. Qualified female applicants, nationals of non- and under-represented Member States, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. FAO also maintains a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Organizational Setting

FAO Country Offices, led by FAO Representatives, support governments in developing policies, programmes and projects aimed at improving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, and promoting sustainable development in agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

Within this framework, the Irrigation Engineer Specialist will support the design, rehabilitation, expansion and sustainable management of the Aweil Rice Irrigation Scheme in Aweil, South Sudan.

The role will focus on technical planning, design, supervision and quality assurance of irrigation and water-control infrastructure, with the objective of enhancing rice production, water-use efficiency and sustainable agricultural development.

Reporting Lines

The Irrigation Engineer will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for South Sudan and the direct supervision of the Infrastructure Engineer.

Technical Focus

The position focuses on the technical planning, design, supervision and quality assurance of irrigation and water-control infrastructure.

The main objective is to improve rice production, strengthen agricultural productivity, and promote efficient and sustainable water use within the Aweil Rice Irrigation Scheme.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

Support the preparation of engineering drawings, Bills of Quantities — BoQs — detailed Scopes of Work — SoWs — and technical specifications for irrigation works, construction activities, irrigation equipment and construction machinery.
Support the preparation of tender documents and technical specifications for irrigation and construction works, and participate in the technical evaluation of bids in accordance with FAO procurement procedures.
Conduct field assessments and site surveys to evaluate the condition of irrigation and civil engineering infrastructure, including canals, water-control structures, pumping systems, drainage networks, embankments, access roads and other associated facilities.
Provide technical support on irrigation water management and agricultural production systems, with particular focus on rice cultivation and other priority crops under the Aweil Rice Scheme.
Support the integration of irrigation infrastructure with crop production activities to improve agricultural productivity, food security and sustainable land and water-use practices.
Advise on crop water requirements, irrigation scheduling, soil moisture management and climate-smart agricultural practices adapted to local conditions.
Support demonstration activities and farmer training on improved agronomic practices, water-efficient farming techniques, crop diversification and sustainable irrigation management.
Collaborate with agronomists, extension officers and farmer groups to ensure effective linkage between irrigation infrastructure development and crop production objectives.
Support the rehabilitation and development of agricultural land preparation systems, field canals, drainage systems and on-farm water management structures to improve crop yields and productivity.
Provide technical guidance on irrigation requirements for rice and other strategic crops, including land levelling, water distribution efficiency and seasonal water allocation planning.
Support the establishment and strengthening of farmer-based irrigation management systems and Water User Associations — WUAs to enhance sustainable operation and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure.
Supervise and monitor rehabilitation, refurbishment and new construction works, ensuring adherence to approved designs, technical standards, timelines and budgets.
Implement quality control and quality assurance measures to ensure compliance with engineering best practices, environmental safeguards and FAO standards.
Provide technical guidance to contractors and site teams on engineering methodologies, canal alignment, flow regulation, erosion control and water distribution efficiency.
Prepare technical progress reports, identify deviations from approved work plans and propose cost-effective corrective measures to ensure timely completion of works.
Certify completed works and prepare final completion certificates confirming satisfactory implementation in line with contractual obligations.
Provide regular updates to the Engineering Unit and Operations Unit on implementation progress, constraints, risks and lessons learned.
Carry out any additional tasks related to the consultancy to enhance sustainable development, operational effectiveness and the overall outcomes of the Engineering Unit’s projects.
Perform any other related duties as requested by the supervisor.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against the Following

Minimum Requirements

Applicants should meet the following minimum requirements:

Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities — IAU / UNESCO in Irrigation Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Agricultural Engineering or a closely related field.
Consultants with a bachelor’s degree may be considered, provided they have two additional years of relevant professional experience.
At least seven years of relevant experience in irrigation and civil engineering infrastructure projects, including canals, diversion structures and water distribution systems.
Working knowledge of English, Level C.

FAO Core Competencies

Candidates are expected to demonstrate the following FAO core competencies:

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

Technical / Functional Skills

Applicants should demonstrate the following technical and functional skills:

Proven experience and ability to conduct or verify field surveys for irrigation projects, including topographic and hydraulic assessments before, during and after construction.
Experience in preparing irrigation completion reports, irrigation plans and documentation specific to irrigation and water management infrastructure.
Strong skills in preparing BoQs, technical specifications and detailed engineering drawings for irrigation and canal-related works.
Proven experience in contract management for civil works, particularly irrigation system installation, canal construction and related infrastructure.
Ability to assess construction works on site and produce timely, accurate technical reports on progress, quality and compliance.
Experience in the technical evaluation of bids for irrigation and civil works contracts.
Capacity to represent FAO in meetings with local authorities, particularly at state and project-site levels, on matters related to irrigation and infrastructure development.
Experience working in multicultural teams and complex emergency contexts is considered an asset.
Experience with AutoCAD / ARCHICAD and Microsoft Office.
Limited knowledge of Arabic is considered an advantage.

FAO Values

All candidates are expected to adhere to FAO’s values:

Commitment to FAO
Respect for All
Integrity and Transparency

Additional Information

FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview or processing.

FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from educational institutions recognized or accredited through relevant international systems, including the World Higher Education Database — WHED, maintained by the International Association of Universities and UNESCO.

Appointment will be subject to medical fitness certification, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.