The USAID funded
WEC project in Jordan, implemented by Tetra Tech International Development is currently accepting expressions of
interest for a International Agricultural Economist consultant. This position
will require travel to Jordan. The main office is located in Amman.
Position
Description/Summary: The
purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a water valuation assessment of
freshwater and treated wastewater used (and reused) in agriculture in the
Jordan Valley. The assessment is expected to take a marginal cost approach,
which assumes that freshwater used in agriculture generates substantial net
benefits at the farm and crop level, but also has an opportunity cost in the
form of forgone benefits from domestic or other uses. Differential prices shall
be applied to irrigation water to account for water quantity and quality,
taking into consideration the socioeconomic aspects. This study is aiming to
support the Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) in:
1.Preparing
for the potentially anticipated additional land development in the Jordan
Valley and suggesting a suitable water tariff that JVA might want to associate
with the newly developed lands. 2.Preparing for any potential reform of the
current regulations for irrigation water
use, allocation, and distribution which is associated with existing developed
lands in the Jordan Valley. 3.Handling the continuing increase of demand for
irrigation water in the Jordan Valley due to, a) the shift from vegetables to
perennial/permanent trees (resulting in increased summer water demand), b)
emerging cropping patterns, and increased cropping intensities. 4.Adapting to
the changing climate patterns and the potential associated changes to the
irrigation water requirements, shift in growing seasons, and possible reduction
in water resources availability.
The
consultant will be required to work with a team of consultants with the
International Agricultural Economist serving as Team Leader. The rest of the
team will include a local agricultural economist and two research assistants. The
ToR for the research assistants is to be drafted by the consultant and should
be submitted during his first trip to Jordan.
The
assignment will include two 1-2 week trips to Jordan and home work from country
of record for a total of 50 estimated days over a period of 6 months.
Responsibilities:
* Review
previous water valuation study reports. Identify any gaps in the previous
studies and propose solutions to fill these gaps. Conduct a stakeholder
analysis. Provide methodology for this water valuation study including
justification and highlight where the proposed methodology intersects and/or
diverts from the methodologies previously used and explain why.
* Assess the
marginal scarcity value of water for the
different types of water resources available for irrigation in the JV,
considering the opportunity cost of water.
* Estimates
the cost of the JVA irrigation distribution and service delivery in the Jordan
Valley from the existing network, the King Abdullah canal, and the other
conveyance pipelines.
* Provide an
estimate of the marginal value of groundwater (in the Jordan Valley including
Wadi Araba) used in agriculture assuming groundwater has a significant cost of
pumping and desalination; and has an external cost of resource deterioration
(soil salinity, groundwater contamination risk).
* Study the
current investment risk in on-farm irrigation of perennial tree crops with
known intolerance to salinity (citrus, etc.) if freshwater availability is
restricted.
* Identify
key irrigation tariff reform elements which would transform current irrigation
water charges into a dual water quality tariff system with separate charges for
freshwater and blended water in irrigated agricultural production.
* Investment
options are to be tested in the Jordan Valley Regions (North, Middle, South
Shunah, Southern Ghors, and Wadi Araba area) under two scenarios: a) No
constraints with water availability (provision of full water requirement); b) Constraints
with water availability.
* Conduct
spatial pricing schemes for irrigation water considering spatial variability
within the Jordan Valley including Wadi Araba (traditional crops, potential [new]
crops, regions [existing and planned], seasons, water quality, land quality,
technologies, etc.) to provide different tariff structures.
* Identify/quantify
employment effects and income generation of skilled and unskilled labor engaged
in irrigated agriculture should proposed water tariff changes be implemented.
* The
consultant is required to hand over all developed models and data used in the
analysis of this study to JVA. These models are expected to be user-friendly
models.
* The
consultant is required to develop a user manual and provide three days of
capacity-building training on how to use and update the developed model for JVA
staff during the consultant’s second trip to Jordan.
* Any other
related task that may emerge during the implementation of the activity.
Qualifications:
* Graduate
degree in Agricultual Economics or a related field, with focus on irrigation
economics is required.
* 10 years
of work experience in a relevant field.
* Good
understanding of Jordan's agricultural sector, including the types of crops
grown, the irrigation systems used, and the challenges facing farmers would be
highly desirable.
* Knowledge
of the Jordan Valley, its agricultural practices, and its cultural and
political context would be highly desirable.
* Knowledge
of the legal, regulatory, and policy frameworks that govern water usage in the
Jordan Valley would be highly desirable.
* Familiarity
with Jordan's water management policies and regulations also the roles and
responsibilities of the different government agencies involved in water management.
* Ability to
analyze complex data sets, identify patterns, and develop actionable insights.
* Experience
working in cross-cultural environments, with a deep understanding of the local
customs and norms of the Jordan Valley is preferable.
* Excellent
leadership skills, including the ability to motivate and guide team members,
delegate tasks, and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
* Fluent in
English and have excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the
ability to present complex ideas and data in a clear and concise manner to a
variety of stakeholders, including policymakers, water managers, and farmers.
To be considered applicants must submit the following as part of the on-line process:
* Cover Letter
* CV in reverse chronological format
* One writing sample – must be sole authorship, maximum 10 pages
Please indicate where you saw Tetra Tech’s IDS ad posted.
Applications that do not meet the minimum requirements listed above will not be considered. Please ensure that all necessary documents are uploaded, and submit only the requested documentation as part of your application. Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
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