Job Description

Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigations (MoAI)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)

Country: Federal Government of Somalia (FGS)

Name of the Project:  Somalia Food Systems Resilience Project (S-FSRP)

Assignment Title:  GM-FSRP State Agriculture Infrastructure Officer (SAIO)

Project ID:  P177816

Ref No.  SO-MOAI-GM-524778-CS-INDV

Type of Contract:  Individual Consultant

Duration:  12 months, with possibility for extension

Duty Station: Dhusamareb

Deadline for submission:  15 April, 2026

1. BACGROUND

The Somalia Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) is part of a regional initiative by the World Bank to provide a comprehensive framework to intervene at both the national and regional levels. This Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA) aims to tackle the underlying structural challenges of food insecurity and reduce beneficiaries' vulnerability to unpredictable climate, crisis, and conflict events. It seeks to achieve this by rejuvenating Somalia's agri-livestock research institutions, seed systems, and extension services and developing community institutions that can anchor adaptation of climate-smart agri-livestock practices, strengthening the availability of water and improved rangelands management for resilient agriculture and livestock production; support animal health services, enhancing the integration of the production systems to domestic and regional markets, with appropriate investments in food safety and value addition, and establishing an enabling policy and institutional framework at a sub-national, national and regional level capable of supporting food systems resilience for Somalia.

The Project Development Objective (PDO) for Somalia Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) will be 'to increase preparedness against food insecurity and improve the resilience of food systems in targeted project areas of Somalia. Progress toward the PDO will be measured using five PDO indicators and intermediate indicators. All relevant indicators will be disaggregated by gender (men and women) and age (youth and adult). The five indicators are.

At federal level, the Quality Enhancement and  Implementation Support Team, has developed a web-based  Management Information System (MIS) to enable real-time data loading and monitoring. These data must be updated to help management make informed decisions and know how the project is progressing on financial utilization and development objectives.

2. Purpose of State Agriculture Infrastructure Officer (SAIO)

To support and advise on using small-scale irrigation technologies and physical Infrastructure in the states. The candidate will coordinate and integrate such technology activities with other implementers, Farmer Groups, and other community-based organizations to promote the expanded use of those technologies.

3. Scope of Work and Responsibility

The State Agriculture Infrastructure Officer (SAIO) will provide technical leadership and oversight in the planning, design, and implementation of agricultural infrastructure and small-scale irrigation technologies under the project. The position will support the development of climate-resilient agricultural infrastructure while ensuring compliance with national regulations and World Bank operational standards.

The SAIO will work closely with the State Project Coordination Unit (SPCU), relevant ministries, implementing partners, farmer organizations, and community institutions to promote the effective adoption of irrigation and water management technologies that enhance agricultural productivity and food security.

4. Specific Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and integrate small-scale irrigation technology activities with other implementers,Farmer Groups, and other community-based organizations;
• Coordinate the designs, supervision, and construction of agricultural Infrastructure funded under the project.
• Facilitate the acquisition of relevant permits and other regulatory requirements.
• Promote expanded use of technologies which could include small-scale Irrigation, water harvesting, runoff, roof catchments, and other new technologies, to increase agricultural and nutritious food production in project areas.
• Support and facilitate the planning and implementation of technical innovations in small-scale Irrigation and water supply through the integration of smallholders' land use systems in target areas.
•  Provide technical support and advice support the adoption of new irrigation technologies at the State and District levels;
•  Advise State governments counterparts from the agriculture, health, and nutrition sectors in appropriate technologies for the promotion and adoption of small-scale irrigation technologies by smallholder households
• Regularly organize training workshops at State and district levels in the fields on small-scale Irrigation and water harvesting techniques.
• Provide technical support and backstopping to state project implementers.
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the SPC.
• Experience with World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguards or similar donor-funded compliance frameworks.

Experiences and Qualifications

• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in fields related to agricultural technologies.
• Minimum Bachelor's degree in a related field of study preferred, e.g., Irrigation or agricultural engineering, civil engineering, etc.
•  Experience and knowledge of working in the Somalia small-scale irrigation sub-sector;
• Experience in the Design, construction, and Operation of small-scale Irrigation (as listed above).
• Field-based experience at the farmer level and working with farmer groups and NGOs/ Associations.
• Knowledge of Somalia environmental and agriculture legislation and issues preferred;
• Familiarity with the Federal Government of Somalia structures and reporting systems is desirable.​​​​​​​                                                                                                                                           6. Other Competencies and Requirements
• Proven track record of leadership and networking at a senior level
• Self-motivated and have good interpersonal skills;
• A good communicator and presenter both orally and in writing;
• Strong interpersonal and coordination skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with ministry staff, consultants, contractors, and local community.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability in delivering engineering services in line with donor (World Bank) requirements.
• Fluency in English (both written and verbal) is required for reporting and professional communication.
• Willingness to be based in Galmudug State and travel frequently to construction sites and field locations as needed.

7. Key  Deliverables​​​​​​​

• Support the planning, design, and implementation of small-scale irrigation systems and agricultural infrastructure, including preparation of technical designs, specifications, cost estimates, and feasibility assessments.
• Coordinate and supervise the construction and rehabilitation of irrigation and water management infrastructure, ensuring compliance with engineering standards, project specifications, and quality requirements.
• Promote the adoption of appropriate irrigation and water management technologies such as water harvesting, runoff management, and roof catchments to improve agricultural productivity and nutrition outcomes.
• Provide technical advisory support to state and district authorities, farmer groups, and implementing partners on irrigation technologies and agricultural infrastructure development.
• Organize and deliver training workshops, field demonstrations, and capacity-building activities on small-scale irrigation and water harvesting techniques.
• Coordinate with contractors, consultants, NGOs, farmer organizations, and community-based groups to ensure effective implementation of project infrastructure activities.
• Conduct regular field monitoring and supervision missions to project sites and provide technical backstopping to state implementation teams.
• Prepare and submit periodic technical reports, site inspection reports and progress updates on irrigation and infrastructure activities.

Document lessons learned, best practices, and technology adoption experiences to support improved implementation and scaling of irrigation interventions

Skills Required

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