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- 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 person 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
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have jointly launched the Agrifood Systems Transformation Accelerator (ASTA), a global programme designed to help Least Developed Countries make their agrifood systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable by fostering partnerships and generating public-private investments. ASTA is the first centrepiece of a new collaboration between FAO and UNIDO and helps generate investment in the agrifood system of some of the world's poorest countries, including through development of value chains, market systems, business models and inclusive finance, to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Reporting Lines
The STS will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Nigeria and under the day-to-day joint technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer ESF/HQ and the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), and in direct collaboration with the global ASTA team at ESF /HQ.
Technical Focus
In Nigeria, Lagos State, ASTA will focus on the development of the coconut value chain under the Unilateral Trust Fund project UTF/NIR/078 - “Agri-food System Transformation Accelerator (ASTA)-Upgrading of the Coconut Value Chain in Lagos State. The project aims at transforming the coconut value chain by improved technologies that allows for the sustainable production and marketing of high-quality products to substituted imports and increased exports, bringing about increase in incomes, employment, and value-addition along the value chain.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Lead and manage the technical implementation of all project activities in close collaboration with Government counterparts and FAO technical and financial partners and assures these are in line with the systems-based approach underpinning the ASTA program.
• Oversee capacity development activities related to project activities (in very close collaboration with the Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA) to strengthen Government autonomy in Value Chain Development.
• Lead and manage the entire team of national consultants and staff (with direct reporting lines within FAO and UNIDO) as well as seconded government (LASCODA) officers to ensure effective coordination and collaboration towards achieving project goals.
• Prepare detailed work plans for the project in collaboration with project staff and stakeholders and make implementation arrangements for the field activities and trainings.
• In coordination with the project team, review, and update regularly the project’s annual implementation plans and budgets.
• Manage outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops and seminars; and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.
• Draft Terms of Reference (ToRs) for international & national consultants and follow up on their recruitments and assignments in a timely manner.
• Monitor the work of short-term consultants and review their reports.
• Provide advice to develop policies and strategies as well as national protocols and guidelines related to project work.
• Direct substantive support to consultative meetings and conferences, to include the proposition of agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Supervise preparation of various written outputs and oversee knowledge management and dissemination of the project outputs.
• Communicate regularly and strengthen the relationships with FAO with external technical and financial partners.
• Ensure smooth project implementation through coordination of regular Project Steering Committee meetings.
• Supervise the development and execution of the M&E system applied in the project.
• Ensure technical quality assurance and quality control of the technical outputs of the project.
• Ensure that a facilitation approach enabling the emergence of sustainable systems is utilized throughout.
• Prepare and submit regular periodic and other reports according to the reporting and communication plans.
• Perform any other related tasks as and when requested.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• An advanced University degree (Master’s level) in agribusiness, agricultural economics, or food systems/industries with focus a on value chain development, or in other related disciplines, is required
• At least 10 years of experience in agricultural development, and implementation of value chain development projects (including agribusiness, market system, processing, and investment/finance aspects) with recognized technical expertise.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other official FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian)
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Experience working on the coconut value chain is highly desirable. Experience in facilitation projects with a systems-building focus is highly desirable.
• Strong management skills including ability to provide strategic guidance, technical oversight, build strong teams, mentor staff, develop workplans, and manage budgets and project expenditures.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English;
• Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills;
• Readiness to carry out visits to project sites and duty travel as required;
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in emergency situations with tight deadlines;
• Excellent team-building and cross-cultural skills;
• Good computer skills and proficiency in English language is required.
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately.
• Communication skills to maintain good working relationships with people from different nationality and cultural background.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
- Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
- 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/
- For more information, visit the FAO employment website
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
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
• 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 create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp
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