Vacancy for Water Management Specialist

Lao Farmer Association (LFA) is national farmer organization established since 2014 working across the country. LFA is looking for a committed full-time staff to be working at least from 2026-2028 on the position of “Water Management Specialist” to be based mainly in Xiengkhouang (Kham and Paek district) and Hoaphan province (Sopbao, Viengxay and Xamnuer).

Main responsibilities are:

1. Prepare illustrated material that shows the advantages of producing High Value Crops (HVC) during the dry season compared to dry season rice.

2. Conduct a meeting among farmers to build a consensus to establish Water User Groups (WUG) and collect the necessary fee to sufficiently cover maintenance and repair of the respective subproject irrigation schemes.

3. Prepare the required bylaws for establishing the WUGs.

4. Assist WUGs in registering with the district authorities.

5. Assist the WUG in opening bank accounts.

6. Prepare the necessary administrative accounting manuals and internal audits for collecting, and train the appointed WUG officials in managing the Fund.

7. Train the appointed WUG members in water scheduling to ensure equitable distribution of water.

8. Prepare maintenance and repair guidelines and train WUG members on their use.

9. In line with the WUG, prepare an annual production and water use plan for each subproject. The plan will include the type of crop, irrigation rotation schedules, ensuring equitable water sharing, and routine maintenance.

10. Prepare a list of members chosen HVCs.

11. Prepare the water user schedules and water user payment per unit area irrigated and per member of the WUA. The respective Water Use Associations will approve these calculations.

12. Prepare crop water use for the chosen dry season crops based on data collected by the IMS including: (i) the chosen crops; (ii) type of soil; (iii) air temperature; (iv) solar radiation; (v) humidity; (vi) plant cover; and (vii) wind speed. The specialist should collect this information at the sites of the respective subproject. However, some or all of the data is not available. In that case, the specialist can obtain acceptable information from FAO’s software, CLIMWAT, at the water station situated closest to the irrigation scheme in question. The IMS collects data alone or in conjunction with CLIMWAT¹ information, or CLIMWAT information alone, and uploads it to FAO’s CROPWAT² software, which calculates the crop water requirement.

13. Assist the Agriculture Advisor to develop the protocols for demonstrating the most appropriate irrigation system for the subproject.

14. Assist in preparing the irrigation feasibility studies and Detailed Irrigation Design.

Requirement for the interested person

1. Lao nationality.

2. A degree in agriculture, water resources, civil engineering, irrigation engineering or a related field is required.

3. Minimum of 7 years of professional experience with a strong understanding of irrigation system design and installation, calculation of crop water requirement, irrigation schemes maintenance, establishing WUAs, knowledge of hydraulic principles, water management techniques, and irrigation technologies, e.g., drip, sprinkler, etc.

4. Effective communication, analytical skills, and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders are essential when establishing WUAs at each subproject.

5. User knowledge of CLIMWAT and CROPWAT would be added advantage.

6. Knowledge of preparing a work plan.

7. Able to work based in Xiengkhouang and Hoaphan.

8. Able to communicate in English.

Interested people can submit CV to:

Phoutthasinh Phimmachanh
Phone number: 02055611716
Deadline of submission: 15 Feb 2026

Reference Links:

1. https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/faowater/Applications/CLIMWAT2.zip

2. https://www.fao.org/land-water/databases-and-software/cropwat/en/