Dr. Amani Alfarra

Personal Information

Brief Profile

Natural/ Water Resources Management Specialist / Climate Change

PROFILE

Water resources and environmental management specialist with over 20 years of progressive experience in leadership, project coordination, and policy advocacy within international organizations. Recognized for expertise in integrated water resources management (IWRM), transboundary water governance, nature-based solutions (NbS), and sustainable development. Proven track record in mobilizing resources, fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships, and advancing global water and climate policy goals.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strategic leadership and multi-stakeholder coordination
• Integrated water resources management (IWRM) for climate resilience
• Nature-based solutions (NbS) for water and climate resilience
• Policy development and high-level advocacy
• Resource mobilization and partnership building
• Project management, monitoring, and evaluation
• Capacity building and knowledge sharing
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Ph.D. Water Resource Management                                                                                                      2006 - 2010

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Department of Applied Geology, Karlsruhe, Germany

Trans-boundary Water Management Diploma for the Middle East and North Africa Region  2007- 2008

Stockholm International Water Institute, Stockholm, Sweden &

Jordan University in Amman, Jordan

Master of Science: Geoinformation and Earth Observation                                                              2002 - 2004

Master of Science: Geoinformation and Earth Observation, Water Resource and Environmental Management, University of Twente - ITC, Enschede, the Netherlands

Bachelor of Science: Major in Physics, Minor in Environmental Science                                                1985 - 1989

Yarmouk University, Jordan

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

• Member, the Canadian Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (CANCID) has been nominated. 2022
• Engineering Technician, OACETT (Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists), 2011
• Environmental Professional (EP) in Sustainability research and development of Natural Resource management and water quality – ECO Canada

• Member, European Water Resources Association (EWRA), 2007

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Program Manager/Water Resource Officer                                                                                                       Aug 2014 – Present

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy

Task Description:

1. Strategic Representation and Policy Influence
Serve as FAO’s focal point to key global platforms:

• UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, Source to Sea Initiative, Freshwater Challenge, and the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) of the Ramsar Convention.
• Shape global policy dialogues and contribute expert input on water, ecosystems, and agriculture–climate linkages across multiple fora.

2. Project Management – Nature-based Solutions for Food-Water-Climate Nexus
Lead the FAO-AAFC-funded flagship project on Ecosystem-based Solutions (EbS) and Green Infrastructure, delivering results that scale climate resilience in agriculture:

• Designed an EbS tracking tool aligned with SDG 2.4 and 6.5.
• Led development of global guidelines for EbS in water management with the Agricultural EbS Expert Working Group.
• Piloted interventions in Grenada (water access for smallholders) and Jordan (greywater reuse systems).
• Spearheaded the development of global e-learning modules on Agriculture-EbS on the FAO platform.
• Co-authored Urban Food Security in a Crisis-Prone World (Springer Nature, 2024).

3. Technical Leadership and Capacity Development

• STRP Co-Lead for Task 3.3: “Agriculture and Wetlands,” developing two e-learning courses, a technical report, and a policy brief.
• Developed a $7M GEF Biodiversity Framework Fund project for wetland restoration in China and another one for Turkey.
• Designed and reviewed multiple e-learning courses on water and watershed management in collaboration with FAO country and regional offices.

4. Cross-Divisional and Regional Coordination

• FAO focal point for Integrated Watershed Resources Management (IWRM) to mainstream climate-smart approaches across Land & Water, Forestry, and Climate Divisions.
• Promoted Source-to-Sea and sustainable water resource use in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• Facilitated cross-divisional programming to support the FAO Four Betters (Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment, Better Life).

5. Resource Mobilization and Technical Support

• Contributed to the design and review of regional and country-level funding proposals in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
• Supported proposal development aligned with GCF, GEF, and bilateral donor priorities to mobilize climate finance for ecosystem and agriculture resilience.

Foreign-Trained Professional                                                                                                                                         Jan – Aug 2014

Sustainable Initiatives, City of Hamilton, Canada

• Reported to the Senior Project Manager as part of the Hamilton Water Group, responsible for managing source water and asset management projects to support the City’s growth and redevelopment initiatives
• Completed direct engineering analyses, reviewed technical materials, and commented on development applications for service issues
• Interpreted and applied Municipal, Provincial and Federal acts, regulations, guidelines, and by-laws to source water, planning, asset management, and infrastructure projects
• Managed asset management condition assessments of City-owned infrastructure (i.e. pumping stations and other vertical assets) to determine if rehabilitation or replacement is required
• Completed groundwater modelling & needs assessments for the Source Water Protection
• Developed a methodology for monitoring Phosphorus in groundwater
• Prepared sectional reports related to services, finances, and administration for various projects

Executive Secretary                                                                                                                                                               2012 – 2014

Centre for World Food Studies of the VU University Amsterdam, Netherlands

Project title "Towards concerted Sharing: Development of a Regional Water Economy Model in the Jordan River Basin"

• Prepared with the team the project proposal and initiated the first contacts with the project sponsor
• Supervised work progress in the project and maintained contacts with national teams and policymakers
• Advised the project leader and project coordinator
• Prepared work contracts and TOR for project partners.
• Coordinated the development of a harmonized database using GAMS software for data processing and its allocation in four dimensions of the water economy model (space, time, layer and substance).
• Coordinated the representation of water quality elements in the water economy model
• Assisted in the research on water response functions.
• Assisted in the pre-calibration and calibration of the water economy model.

Adjunct Professor                                                                                                                                                                     2012 – 2014

McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada       

• Supervised the research work of master students.
• Developed water hydrology model for arid areas, within a project titled: Towards concerted sharing: Creating a platform for research-based cooperation in water resource management for the Jordan River. Basin. The main objective of the project was to improve the understanding of water resource specialists in the political and physical processes that influence the quantity and quality of water resource management in their neighbouring countries.
• Developed a project proposal titled ”Water Governance and Integrity Training Programme for the Middle East” that was funded by Sweden.

Hydrology Researcher/ Researcher                                                                                                                                   2006 – 2010

Karlsruhe Institute for Technology– Karlsruhe, Germany           

• The SMART project with a total budget of 11 Million Euros. Developed a hydrological model to evaluate various water allocation scenarios impacted by climate change in the Jordan River Basin using the WEAP “Evaluation and Planning" system.
• Used geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) techniques in hydrology to create land use maps to be used in the hydrological model.
• Produced a statistical model to investigate factors that influence farmers’ decisions to accept and pay for the use of treated wastewater.

Manager/Humanitarian Affairs Officer /Water & Environmental                                                           Jan – Aug 2006

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Palestine

• Mapped and coordinated environmental programs and managed water/ wastewater sectors.
• Coordinated and supervised assigned water and sanitation facilities in accordance with the work plan.
• Managed the collection of data for monitoring and evaluation and sharing of information that has a public health impact with headquarters.
• Reported daily to headquarters the implications for water/wastewater in the Gaza Strip.

Project Manager-Water Resources Management                                                                                             2004 – 2006

Centro Regionale D`Intervento per La Cooperazione (NGO), Palestine

• Led a project with a one million euro budget, coordinating three partner institutions
• Provided technical support for a large environmental restoration project that included rehabilitation of contaminated wells, cleaning of the highly polluted Wadi Beit Hanoun, and rehabilitation of contaminated farmland
• Completed pumping tests and water analysis for the wells to ensure their function
• Prepared all tender, procurement, documentation and reporting
• Coordinated with the three project partners (two of them were non-governmental and the third was the municipality of Biet Hanon City) to ensure tasks met deadlines
• Coordinated and supervised the work of professional technical staff, including research assistants, technologists plus technicians and contractors to do the rehabilitation of 6 wells, construction of 2 wells, cleaning of Wadi Biet Hanoun, rehabilitation of 200 agricultural Dunums and construction 7 greenhouses

Procurement Technical Assistant (Management level)                                                                                 2000 - 2002

British Council for Palestinian Ministry of Health, Palestine

• This component had 1.5 Million UK Pounds that I managed to support the procurement department at the Ministry of Health in Palestine, and five senior managers reported to me directly. Prepared monthly reports for management and project partners in the UK in coordination with the Ministry of Health within central stores and the procurement department
• Conducted needs assessment for the Ministry of Health (MOH) central stores and procurement department as part of the project implementation to improve the MOH management information system
• Implemented an inventory system for the Ministry of Health warehouses

Managing Coordinator & Trainer for Dissemination & Information

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for the benefit of Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Palestine  1997 – 2000

• Communicated and disseminated information regarding environmental operations and activities of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in the Gaza Strip
• Conducted training; managed programs and activities for various Institutions
• Coordinated with ministries and educational institutions; prepared schedules, brochures and monthly reports
• Prepared needs analyses, proposals for Non-Governmental Organizations, and raised funds

CONSULTANCY WORK & EXPERIENCE

• Water Resource Analyst, evaluator with the MCC Jordan Water IE, Social Impact, 2014
• A hydrologist developed a land classification map Jordan River basin using ILWIS and Remote satellite for the Centre for World Food Studies, Free Amsterdam University, Amsterdam, Holland, 2011
• Hydrologist, modelling Wadi Shuib demand/ supply using WEAP software, Karlsruhe Institute for Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany, 2010 - 2011
• Hydrologist, as an assistant researcher on the Red-Dead Sea project, with Prof. Dr. Abadalha Malkaw (Jordan Representative), World Bank, Amman, Jordan, 2010
• Hydrology Researcher, The Centre for World Food Studies under the Free Amsterdam University, Amsterdam, Holland,2004
• Management System Analyst, World Bank, Palestine Beneficiary: Palestinian Ministry of Education, Gaza Strip, Palestine, 2002

Publications

Forthcoming Publication

• A. Alfarra. N. Newlands, A.Kubursi (2023), Urban Food Security in a Crisis-Prone World: The Urban, Water, and Food Nexus, (accepted; forthcoming) Publisher Springer Nature.
• A. Alfarra (2023) Wetlands Nature-based solution for sustainable food production, FAO
• Atzori, D., Sonneveld, B.G.J.S. and C.F.A. van Wesenbeeck (under review). Empowering Haiti’s poor: spatially explicit targeting of food policies.
• Atzori, D., B.G.J.S. Sonneveld, A. Alfarra and M.D. Merbis (2023), Nutrient Fragility in Isolation: Food Insecurity in Small Island Developing States

Publications

• Van Dam, A.,  Alfarra, A., Akoko, G,  and Eiseltová, M, Convention on Wetlands and FAO (2025). Agriculture and wetlands: maintaining and restoring wetlands for sustainable food production and ecosystem health. Technical Report 13. Gland, Convention on Wetlands. DOI: 10.69556/strp.tr13.25.engSupplementary materials:  https://www.ramsar.org/document/agriculture-wetlands-supplementary-materials-case-study-descriptions

• Develop e-learning titled “Wetlands and agriculture: pathways to sustainability” in collaboration with the Convention on Wetland, 2024.
• Masoud, A.M.N.; Alfarra, A.; Sorlini, S. Monetizing Co-Benefits of Nature-Based Sanitation-Constructed Wetlands Using Contingent Valuation Method—Jordan as a Case Study. Water 2024, 16, 3612. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16243612
• Atzori, D., Sonneveld, B.G.J.S., Alfarra, A. et al. Nutrition fragility in isolation: Food insecurity in Small Island Developing States. Food Sec. 16, 437–453 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-024-01438-z
• Houessou, M.D., B. Sonneveld, A. Augustin, and A. Alfarra (accepted; forthcoming) Organizing urban farmers in a post-COVID-19 economic recovery. In Post-COVID: urban water-food nexus Land and water division, FAO, Rome.
• Sonneveld, B. Houessou, M.D., A. Augustin, and A. Alfarra (accepted; forthcoming) Corona proof allocation of allotment gardens in urban and semi-urban areas. In Post-COVID: urban water-food nexus Land and water division, FAO, Rome.
• Masoud, A.M.N.; Belotti, M., Alfarra, A.; Sorlini, S. (2022) Multi-Criteria Analysis for Evaluating Constructed Wetland as a Sustainable Sanitation Technology, Jordan Case Study. Water 2022, 14, 3232. doi: 10.3390/su142214867
• Masoud, A.M.N.; Alfarra, A.; Sorlini, S.  (2022) Constructed Wetlands as a Solution for Sustainable Sanitation: A Comprehensive Review on Integrating Climate Change Resilience and Circular Economy. Water 2022, 14, 3232. doi: 10.3390/w14203232
• Van Veen, W., Sabella, R., van Wesenbeeck, L., Alfarra, A., Sonneveld, B. (2022). Crops and panels: a farm model with trade-offs in the Water-Energy-Food Nexus. In: The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Urban and Regional Futures. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51812-7_286-1
  • Alfarra, B.G.J.S. Sonneveld (2021), A study on Sustainable Management and Use of Fresh Water Resources for Food Security and Nutrition in Small Island Development States (SIDS), FAO
• Sonneveld B.G.J.S., Amani A., Merbis M.D. (2021) Nature-Based Solutions for Agricultural Water Management. In: Brears R.C. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Climate Resilient Societies. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32811-5_6-1
• M. Jeuland,  M. Moffa, A. Alfarra(2020), The contribution of urban infrastructure improvement and wastewater reuse to reducing water deficits in Jordan Submitted to the Water Resources Management: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07900627.2020.1860915
• Zeitoun, M.; Abdallah, C.; Dajani, M.; Khresat, S.; Elaydi, H. and Alfarra, A. 2019. The Yarmouk tributary to the Jordan River I: Agreements impeding equitable transboundary water arrangements. Water Alternatives 12(3): 1064-1094
• V. Grover, A. Alfarra 2019. Book Water, Sustainable Development, and the Nexus: Response to Climate Change. CRC Press, 242 Pages, ISBN 9781498786515 - CAT# K30235.  
• Participate in the development of the source-to-sea guide:  Mathews, R. E., Tengberg, A., Sjödin, J., & Liss-Lymer, B. et al. (2019).  Implementing the source-to-sea approach: A guide for practitioners. SIWI, Stockholm.
  • Alfarra, B.G.J.S. Sonneveld, Merbis, M. D., O. Unver (2018): FAO discussion paper: Nature-Based Solutions For Agricultural Water Management and Food Security (FAO, 2018)
• Merbis, M. D., B.G.J.S. Sonneveld and A. Alfarra (in the process, 2018) Construction of water response functions in the Jordan River Basin.
• Sonneveld B.G.J.S., A. Marei, M. Merbis, A. Alfarra. (2018) The future of Date Palm in the Lower Jordan Valley of the West Bank. Appl Water Sci (2018) 8: 113. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-018-0746-2  
  • Alfarra, A. Turton, B.G.J.S. Sonneveld et al. (2018) Chapter 2: Nature-based solutions for managing water availability in The United Nations World Water Development Report 2018: Nature-based solutions for water. UNESCO, France
• Alfarra, A., Riccardo, B., Daniel, D., et al. (2016). Negotiated territorial development in a multi-stakeholders participatory resource planning approach: An initial sustainable framework for the Near East region, Food, and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UNFAO)
• Abdulla F. A., Alfarra A., Abu Qdais H. and Sonnveld B. (2016) Evaluation of Wastewater Treatment Plants in Jordan and Suitability for Reuse, Academia Journal of Environmental Science 4(7): 111-117
• Alfarra A., Biancalani R., Bicchieri M., Carranza F., Cenerini C. Dale D., Groppo P., Kubursi A., Malika A., Feras Z., “Negotiated Territorial Development In A Multi-Stakeholders Participatory Resource Planning Approach:  An Initial Sustainable Framework for the Near East Region”. (FAO) 2016.
• Dale D., Groppo P., Alfarra A., (2015) “The Status of Land Tenure, Planning and Management in West Bank and Gaza. Case Study”. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
• Alfarra A. Data Assessment. Internal note. Concerted Sharing project. Amsterdam (2014).
  • Alfarra, B. G. J. S. Sonneveld, H. Hoetzl, Farmers’ willingness to pay for treated wastewater in the Jordan Valley.Sky Journal of Agricultural Research, July 2013; Vol. 2(6), pp. 69 - 87
• Alfarra A., Kemp-Benedict E., Hötzl H., Sader N. and Sonneveld B., "Modeling Water Supply And Demand For Effective Water Management Allocation In The Jordan Valley (paper)," Journal of Agricultural Science and Application (JASA), pp. 1-7, Volume 1, No. 1, Mar 2012.
• Ingo Heinz and Amani Alfarra, "The integration of economics in the WEAP Water Evaluation and Planning System," General Assembly 2011, European Geosciences Union, April 2011.
• Alfarra, A., Sonveld, B., H. Hötzl and, Abed El Jabar, S.(2010). The price to pay for treated wastewater: an evaluation of water pricing scenarios in the Jordan Valley. At the IWRM – Karlsruhe, Germany.
• Alfarra, A., Sonneveld, B., H. Hötzl (2009). Farmers’ Willingness to Pay for Treated Wastewater in the Jordan Valley was submitted and under printing in the Water Resource Management Journal.
• Alfarra, A., E. Kemp-Benedict, H. Hötzl, N. Sader, et al. (2009). A Framework For Wastewater Reuse Index case study Jordan: utilizing a modified Wastewater Reuse Index. EWRA's 7th International Conference on Water Resources Conservancy and Risk Reduction Under Climatic Instability Limassol, Cyprus a Special Issue of the Journal of Water Resources Management (WARM); by Springer for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA).
• Alfarra, A., E. Kemp-Benedict, H. Hötzl, N. Sader, et al. (2009). Simulation of Water Supply and Demand in the Jordan Valley Region using WEAP: Initial Results - conference paper Cyprus 2008 and now under printing at the Water Resource Management Journal
• Alfarra, A., E. Kemp-Benedict, H. Hötzl, N. Sader, et al. (2009). Scenarios of effective water management allocation in the Jordan Valley - under printing at the Water Resource Management Journal
• Alfarra, A., Sonveld, B., Hötzl, H. (2009). Alternative Proposal for Irrigation Pricing Mechanism at the Jordan Valley - submitted for the International Conference in Stockholm - SIWI and the Environmental Science Journal
• Alfarra, A., and Lubad, S. (2004). “Health Effect Due To Poor Wastewater Treatments” In Gaza Strip - conference paper, Turkey and published in the book  " Water for life " and Social Science Research Network (SSRN) - 2005
• Alfarra, A., and Hamada, M. (2005). “The Effect of Pesticide Residues And Heavy Metals on the Water Quality in Gaza Strip and Their Impacts on Health” - Social Science Research Network (SSRN) - 2005
• Book: Alfarra, A. "Modelling Water Resource Management in Lake Naivasha", ISBN 978-3-8383-7889-3 

Specialization

• Climate Change Impact & Adaptation
• Enhancing Water Use Efficiency and Productivity
• Environmental Aspects of Irrigation & Drainage
• Flood Management
• Integrated Water Resources Management
• International cooperation
• Non-Conventional water resources: Saline Water, treated waste water, drainage water, Industrial waste water, and others
• On-Farm water Management
• Policy and planning
• Research
• Water harvesting techniques
• Water policy and planning
• Water-Food-Energy Nexus approaches