National Project Coordinator

Job Description

The FAO Representation Office in South Sudan (FRSSD) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to country priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the country. FRSSD has provided support to emergency agriculture programmes to ensure food secuirty and improve agriculture production. Throught its emergency and rehabilitation programmes, FAOSS has supported vulnerable crop, fish and livestock dependent households with technical support while also promoting sustainable land management practices, improved production technologies and marketing opportunities.

The National Project Coordinator works under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and overall supervision of the FAO Representative in South Sudan and deputy FAOR; and in close collaboration with the Programme Unit in Juba and consultation with the relevant FAO headquarters Lead Technical Unit and FAO headquarters and FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF) and Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) Technical Officers. The National Project Coordinator is responsible for the management and coordination of the project: “Improved food security and income for rural small holders in South Sudan (ZEAT-BEAD)” funded by the European Commission by ensuring consistency with the objectives set out in the Financial Convention with the Donor for the project implementation and rules and procedures of FAO. Specifically, the incumbent will:

• Assist the Senior Project Coordinator in managing, administering and overseeing the implementation of the project and ensure that FAO procedures are adhered to;
• Oversee the establishment of the Programme Management Coordination Unit (PMCU) full collaboration with the relevant Government and State authorities ;
• Contribute to the development of the strategic direction of the programme at national and state levels, including conceptual frameworks, methods and communication strategies;
• Contribute to the preparation of detailed project annual work plans in line with the budget and in collaboration with stakeholders, and make necessary arrangements for their successful implementation in a timely manner;
• Coordinate and manage detailed work plans/budget for the programme, monitor and ensure the quality and timeliness of technical assistance and reporting on implementation of work plans;
• Review progress made towards the work plan proposed as well as the stated objectives and results on a quarterly basis;
• Assure the preparation of required reports (progress, quarterly or annual) in accordance to the Guide to the Project Cycle to reflect the outputs and results of the project against agreed work plans, and identify constraints and issues that require timely resolution and corrective actions; and collate the reports of the individual sub-projects for transmission to FAO;
• Guide and assist in developing and strengthening the capacity of local institutions, organizations and communities, to be carried out in consultation with Senior Project Coordinator, the relevant ministries, local authorities and non-state partners;
• Coordinate training activities and when appropriate participate in conducting some of the courses;
• Coordinate with the FAOSS gender specialist to ensure that project interventions take into account gender differentiated needs of beneficiaries;
• Contribute to the preparations of the terms of reference for various technical assistance;
• Ensure participation in coordination at State level; alternate for the Secretariat of project Steering Committee (PSC);
• Monitor the activities, project budget and prepare ad hoc and yearly expenditure plans and reports and inform the PSC in a timely fashion for approval;
• Support multi-stakeholder consultation platforms;
• Ensure productive work relations with FS+agricult. information systems (AFIS, FSTS, FSLC etc.) and agriculture-related institutions;
• Supervise administration and financial issues and review and comment on technical documents as required;
• Perform other duties as requested  

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should meet the following:

• Advanced University degree in Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Economics or related field;
• Five years of relevant experience in the planning, development and operational management of large scale programmes;
• Working knowledge of English essential, basic knowledge of Arabic would be an asset
• National of South Sudan

SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates will be assessed against the following:

• Working knowledge in more than one location of area of work, particularly in field positions desirable;
• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting the development and implementation of national policies;
• Extent and relevance of experience in formulation, implementation and monitoring of projects and relevance of experience managing European Union funded projects;
• Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work and guide the work of others under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Extent and relevance of experience in rural development with confirmed coordination experience;
• Extent of in-depth knowledge of South Sudan’s agriculture-related institutions (ministries, research, universities, chambers of commerce, supply system etc.);
• Sound knowledge of sustainable NRM and gender mainstreaming;
• Extent and relevance of knowledge of the preparation of multi-year plans and budgets and meetings
• Extent and relevance of experience in Emergency Response activities;
• Ability to use standard office software, such as MS Office (Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, and Internet);
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing (in particular standard MS office programs);
• Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures would be an asset

About the Organization

An intergovernmental organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has 194 Member Nations, two associate members and one member organization, the European Union. Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO's efforts - to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy.