National Project Support Specialist

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

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

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

Organizational Setting

FAO Sub-regional Resilience Team for Southern Africa (SFS-REOSA), based in Johannesburg, is a key part of SFS. Its main goal is to reduce vulnerability and the risk of food and nutrition insecurity in southern Africa. The team accomplishes this by strengthening the productive capacity and livelihoods of vulnerable groups in the region. They aid regional bodies, governments, and country offices in developing and coordinating emergency and resilience policies, programmes, and projects. The aim is to achieve food and nutrition security, reduce hunger and malnutrition, and contribute to the sustainable development of the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors. A major current focus is on mitigating the impact of climate-induced shocks or hazards on food and nutrition security, as well as the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable populations in southern Africa.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa (SRC/SFS), the direct supervision of the Resilience Team Leader Southern Africa, the National Project Specialist will support resilience program development and implementation, including SFS resource mobilization efforts.

Technical Focus

Provide support to the resilience program development and implementation, including SFS resource mobilization efforts,
together with country offices, the Regional Office for Africa (RAF) and partners.

Tasks and responsibilities

Programme support

• Provide programmatic support to FAO emergency and resilience projects in Southern Africa.
• Support the organization of technical meetings, conferences and workshops for the SFS emergency and resilience programme.
• Undertake basic research and analysis in assigned project areas and contribute to the preparation of project briefs to support informed decision making and planning
• Conduct research on specific topics as requested by Technical Officers involved in the development of SFS programme on building climate resilience in agrifood systems
• Schedule meetings, prepare agendas, take minutes, and ensure follow-up on action items for the SFS Coordination Unit for Emergencies and Resilience (CUERE)
• Participate in regular meetings organized by other SFS Technical Coordination Units ensuring that the CUERE perspective is considered
• Support the production of reports on meetings, workshops and conferences as requested by Technical Officers

Resource mobilization

• Conduct research and contribute to the development of concept notes and proposals for resource mobilization for emergency and resilience programming in southern Africa.
• Maintain an up-to-date database on FAO resource partners in southern Africa
• Support the organization of subregional technical meetings for resource mobilization
• Assist in the preparation of meetings with donors, implementing partners and other stakeholders

Interagency collaboration

• Assist in the development of PowerPoint presentations and other materials for interagency technical meetings with United Nations Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations.
• In close liaison with relevant Technical Officers, participate in technical meetings organized by the Food and Nutrition Security Working Group (FNSWG) and the Regional Inter-Agency Standing Committee for Southern Africa (RIASCO.
• Perform any other duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in disaster management, climate change, food Security, nutrition, agricultural Economics, or sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry, and fisheries), or related field.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in technical cooperation's related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, fishery, forestry, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
• Working knowledge of English
• National of South Africa or resident of the country with valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong field coordination, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders including government institutions, CSOs, private sector and development partners.
• Experience in working with FAO or other UN agencies.

Selection Criteria

• Extent and relevance of experience (at least 2 years’ experience) in humanitarian programming.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise and build partnerships with UN agencies, NGO, and government institutions on drought, floods, and cyclones trigger development.

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 a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact\: Careers@fao.org
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
• For other issues, 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.

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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