FAO recruits 01 Senior Project Officer

FAO recruits 01 Senior Project Officer

FAO

Lilongwe, Malawi

Humanitaire (ONG, Associations, …), Projet/programme de développement

Job Description – Senior Project Officer (2202939)

Job Description:  2202939

Senior Project Officer

Closure Date: 18/Nov/2022, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: FAO Representation in Malawi (FRMLW)

Job Type: Staff position

Type of Requisition: Professional Project

Grade Level: P-5

Primary Location: Malawi-Lilongwe

Duration: Fixed-term: one year with possibility of extension

Post Number: 2007677

CCOG Code: 1A11

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture

• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply

• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values

• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　

• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks

• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

 Organizational Setting

Through its Country Offices or Representations, FAO provides policy advices, technical assistances and investment supports to its member governments in ending hunger, addressing malnutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development. The activities of the FAO Country Offices include advocating and formulation of relevant strategies and policies; introduction and dissemination of suitable approaches and technologies; design and implementation of country-tailored field programmes and projects; and liaison with government departments, UN Country Team, donor agencies and other development partners on subject matters related to FAO mandate areas.

The FAO Representation in Malawi is developing and implementing field programmes and projects based on the FAO Country Programming Framework (CPF) in Malawi. The total number and portfolio of the programmes and projects largely increased in recent years, mainly focus on sector capacity development on nutrition sensitive food security through Farmer Field School (FFS) approach, but also cover the areas of sustainable land management, climate smart agriculture and resilience building. Management and further development of the country portfolio requires deployment of a Senior Programme Officer to lead relevant operation, coordination and facilitation affairs.

The position is located in the FAO Representation in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Project Officer reports to the FAO Representative in Malawi.

Technical Focus

Provides leadership, guidance and operational support to the overall investment portfolio of the country office. This will entail providing guidance and coordination in project implementation, coordination and reporting, focusing on investment projects in food and nutrition security, sustainable natural resources management and resilience building; support to capacity development and agriculture extension through farmer field school among other approaches; supervision and guidance to sections responsible for procurement, project operation, coordination, monitoring – evaluation and information management; contribution to donor coordination and outreaching to stakeholders and partners. Coordination and cooperation with relevant divisions, groups and officers at FAO headquarters, the Regional Office for Africa and the Subregional Office for Southern Africa.

Key Results

Leadership and technical expertise for the planning, development and implementation of projects, related-products and services.

Key Functions

•    Leads the development, implementation and evaluation on technical issues of assigned programmes/projects; directs review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions.

•    Coordinates programmes and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects and the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.

•    Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.

•    Directs substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.

•    Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.

•    Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.

•    Provides advice to develop policies and strategies as well as national protocols and guide lines for projects with specific domains related to FAO’s work.

Specific Functions

•    Acts as the Head of the Operation and Coordination Unit of the country office, comprising Sections in Procurement, Operations, Project Coordination, and Monitoring and Evaluation.

•    Oversees and guides the development and execution of work plans for the different Sections under the Operations and Coordination Unit.

•    Liaises with programme teams of donor agencies in the country to ensure that awareness on FAO’s technical comparative advantage is maintained.

•    Develops effective working relationships with relevant government departments and non-governmental partners, with a view to contributing to coherent implementation of the FAO investment portfolio in Malawi.

•    Leads FAO’s ongoing strategic efforts in strengthening the agricultural extension delivery services and acts as the lead specialist in the country office responsible for mainstreaming transformative capacity development and agriculture extension approaches such as the Farmer Field School to enhance food and nutrition security, natural resources management and resilience building.

•    Coordinates the identification, development, mainstreaming into the country portfolio and implementation of FAO regional initiatives and programmes on crosscutting issues such as nutrition sensitive agriculture, sustainable development and climate change, drawing on relevant corporate approaches and frameworks in liaison with relevant units, headquarters, the Regional Office for Africa and the Subregional Office for Southern Africa.

•    Advises and provides quality assurance on all cooperate communication related to the FAO portfolio in Malawi being disseminated to different audiences.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in political sciences, business administration, agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), or related field.

•    Ten years of relevant experience in technical cooperation related activities, and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.

•    Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

•    Results Focus

•    Leading, Engaging and Empowering

•    Communication

•    Partnering and Advocating

•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

•    Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.

•    Substantive experience in developing and implementing donor aid programmes and projects in developing countries.

•    Intensive experience in designing and implementing Farmer Field School programmes and projects in Southern African countries.

•    Demonstrated skills and experience in leading multidisciplinary teams, supervision, coordination and management.

•    Demonstrated skills and experience in managing relations and outreach with donors and other partners.

•    Capacity to develop vision, strategies, programmes and to mobilize resources for implementation

•    Rich experience in working with international organizations in multiple countries is essential.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

GENERAL INFORMATION

 • FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment

• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds

• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. 

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

 A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm 

Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

• Dependency allowances

• Rental subsidy

• Education grant for children

• Home leave travel

• 30 working days of annual leave per year

• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund

• International health insurance; optional life insurance

• Disability protection

FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:

• elements of family-friendly policies

• flexible working arrangements

• standards of conduct

HOW TO APPLY

 • To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills;

• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile;

• Once your profile is completed, please apply and submit your application;

• Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile;

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications;

• Incomplete applications will not be considered;

• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application

• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered;

• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile

• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENTPOSTULER