IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
- 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
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
Specifically, FAO Country Offices\:
• advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate.
• provide technical assistance and deliver core services.
• assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.
• position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
• ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.
The "Transforming Livelihoods through Climate Resilient, Low Carbon, Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains in the Lake Region Economic Bloc" project (GCP/KEN/116/GCF) aims to revitalize six critical value chains\: dairy, poultry, coffee, tea, fruit trees, and African leafy vegetables. The initiative seeks to enhance food security, boost climate resilience, and promote profitable, climate-smart enterprises. Its specific objectives include\:
• Facilitating the transfer and scaling up of climate-resilient, low-emission technologies throughout all production stages, from farming to consumption.
• Directly assisting over 63,000 smallholder farmers through FAO-led farmer field schools, with an additional 80,000 benefiting via cooperatives, incorporating gender-sensitive support.
• Creating replicable models for other regions to ensure lasting impact beyond the duration of the project.
The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Kenya. More specifically in Homabay and Kapsabet.
The grade of the position is SC8.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Kenya, the direct supervision of the Program Coordinator of the project and the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officers from the Sub-regional office of Eastern Africa.
Technical Focus
The National Project Coordinator – Regional Project Implementation will ensure the effective implementation of the “Transforming Livelihoods through Climate Resilient, Low Carbon, Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains in the Lake Region Economic Bloc” “GCP/KEN/116/GCF” accordance with project document, Project Implementation Manual (PIM), implementation plan, optimizing the use of project resources and inputs to achieve project objectives. The incumbent will collaborate with other national and international consultants on project implementation. A strong understanding of climate-smart agriculture, value chain development, agroforestry production system and gender-sensitive approaches in the Lake Region Economic Bloc is required.
Tasks and responsibilities
Overall Project Management Unit (PMU) Supports\:
• Manage and supervise day-to-day operational tasks in the assigned counties to support the program coordinator’s PMU management.
• Develop the county-level annual, quarterly, monthly, and bi-weekly work plans with support from the CTA, Program Coordinator, and project technical personnel.
• Ensure the implementation of assigned tasks (including the Workplans and Budgets (AWPBs), procurement plans, and field visits) follows the Project Implementation Manual (PIM).
Support Project Operations\:
• Lead the implementation of the approved Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) to achieve county-level key milestones, deliverables, and KPIs; ensure adherence to the AWPB and PIM in line with FAO and GCF guidelines.
• Ensure effective allocation and management of GCF and co-financier resources, coordinating closely with the PMU Financial Manager and promptly informing the Program Coordinator of any delays or issues.
• Coordinate with field staff from Operation Partners, other Executing Entities, service providers, and contractors to align with project agreements, outcomes, and FAO/GCF requirements.
• Work with farmer field school (FFS) service providers, master trainers, and partners to deliver the FFS to targeted participants under the supervision of the CTA and Program Coordinator, including developing FFS curriculums, establishing monitoring systems, protocols for demo-plots, and facilitating exchange visits.
• Monitor the progress of the Operational Partner Agreement (OPA) under the guidance of the CTA and Program Coordinator.
• Support the Program Coordinator in developing the Procurement Plan (PP) and financial plan, promptly reporting to the CTA and Program Coordinator on the allocation of produced goods and services during project implementation.
• Participate in field missions to monitor activity-based progress in targeted areas.
• Facilitate missions of FAO representatives and consultants, including agenda preparation, travel logistics, and other arrangements.
• Prepare for the project closure phase.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Reporting\:
• Monitor and report regularly to the Program Coordinator on project progress based on the Project M&E manual, including information from implementation partners, consultants, service providers (NGOs, academia, consulting firms), suppliers, and government staff.
• Support M&E officers in field monitoring activities such as data collection and quality assurance, ensuring coherence with project component requirements, including co-financed activities.
• Organize Operational Partners Implementation Modality (OPIM) quality assurance activities (spot checks and audits) in collaboration with FAO project supervision.
• Assist in FAO project supervision, interim independent evaluations, and final independent evaluations in close coordination with the FAO Country Office and the FAO Independent Office of Evaluation (OED).
• Support knowledge management and dissemination of project outputs.
• Develop project documentation, including meeting minutes, workshop proceedings, communication materials such as briefing notes, project summaries, and newsletters.
Communication, Dissemination, and Partnership\:
• Support the Program Coordinator and the Communication Officer in implementing the Project Communication Strategy.
• Responsible for disseminating project progress, success stories, and best practices to county-level partners and farmers.
Other Duties\:
Perform other relevant tasks as assigned by the FAO Representative in Kenya
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced (preferred) or undergraduate university degree in agriculture, rural development, project management, or a related field
• At least 4 years of relevant experience in managing development projects, preferably with experience in climate-smart agriculture and/or value chain development in Kenya. For undergraduate degree, minimum relevant work experience of 7 years is required.
• Working knowledge of English and Kiswahili
• National of Kenya
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Proven experience in project management including monitoring/evaluation/reporting, coordination with various stakeholders and partnership development
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and report-writing skills.
Selection Criteria
• Experience working with international organizations (such as FAO and/or GCF) will be an added advantage
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
- 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 additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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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