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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
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP), implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Guyana under Operational Phase 8 (OP8), supports community-led initiatives that address global environmental challenges while promoting sustainable development.
The GEF SGP, launched in 1992, supports community-led initiatives that address global environmental challenges while promoting sustainable development and improving local livelihoods. It provides financial and technical assistance to civil society and community-based organizations, with a focus on Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth. The programme empowers local actors to tackle issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, land degradation, and pollution, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through grassroots innovation and inclusive participation.
Reporting Lines
The SGP National Coordinator (NC) will be based in FAO’s Guyana Office and will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Country Representative in Guyana with day-to-day supervision from the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme). The incumbent will work closely with the Global Program Management Team in OCB (GPMT), the National Steering Committee (NSC) for SGP -OP8, and will be the main counterpart for SGP grantees and other country stakeholders. The performance of the NC will be assessed jointly by FAO’s decentralized office and the GPMT.
Technical Focus
The NC will lead the coordination and implementation of the SGP OP8 programme in Guyana aligning with FAO and GEF operational guidelines and modalities.
Tasks and responsibilities
The SGP (OP8) country coordinator will perform the following functions\:
• Lead the national SGP OP8 workforce where applicable, assist in building their capacity and track the team’s performance.
• Work in close coordination with the FAO Guyana Country Office, GPMT, country programme stakeholders including but not limited to the members of the National Steering Committee and local partners.
• Coordinate the CO’s role as Secretariat for the NSC, providing support and guidance to the NSC during the entire project cycle processes in particular during the selection and award phases, during the reviews, meetings deliberations and reporting.
• Prepare and implement the Annual Work Plan, including details of the strategic and innovative activities, all monitoring and supervision activities to be undertaken during the year.
• Support the process for the selection of a consultant/entity to develop the SGP Country Programme Strategy (CPS) for OP8 and support the CO in managing the process for the design of the CPS in a consultative manner.
• Coordinate the implementation process of the Country Programme Strategy (CPS) for SGP OP8, along with the NSC, and coordinate its regular review sessions and updates. Also, ensure continuous monitoring of the national environmental challenges as well as socio-economic conditions relevant to the GEF SGP OP8 programme and its focal areas and advise on its impact on the country’s SGP Programme implementation.
• Pre-screen SGP proposals and assist CSOs/CBOs in their application process as applicants and during the incubation and acceleration process as grantees to ensure that their proposals/projects align with the SGP OP8 procedures and targets, including the Programme’s Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF).
• Provide day-to-day support and guidance to the SGP grantees.
• Implement and manage the overall country SGP allocation and its efficient deployment in line with FAO Code of ethical conduct and financial integrity.
• Assist SGP grantees to understand and comply with the terms of the contractual agreements signed with FAO including by conducting proper due diligence and financial verifications prior to awarding instalments of SGP grants to select grantees.
• Provide adequate oversight and quality assurance of the SGP portfolio execution at country level during the design, implementation and reporting stages.
• Organize NSC meetings and other meetings, training sessions, workshops, missions and other forums as required.
• Establish and implement a regular monitoring mechanism for the in-country SGP portfolio including through adequate communication with the grantees and reality-check field visits.
• Liaise on an “as-we-go” basis with the GPMT to report on the Program’s implementation status and progress.
• Draft and/or review key documents required as part of the SGP process including the preparation and dissemination of outreach material.
• Prepare and roll out of the SGP programme M&E plans, provide all necessary support to the Mid Term Review and Terminal Evaluation of SGP interventions implemented by FAO, reporting and required coordination with the programme stakeholders.
• Prepare and roll out a grievance redress mechanism for the project.
• Document and report on the programme’s lessons learned, identify best practices and knowledge generated throughout the programme implementation phases, foster cross-learning and inform the design and delivery of future grants as well as share knowledge with the SGP programme stakeholders
• Enhance synergies between the GEF-SGP and other GEF/GCF projects in the country and enable collaborations with the private sector, other donor and development partners for project upscaling, co-financing and other opportunities. In addition, ensure advocacy campaigns for the SGP programme and continuously explore collaboration opportunities to mobilizer additional resources to complement GEF SGP funding.
• As the main SGP focal point at country-level, the NC shall engage various SGP stakeholders by organising regular dialogues and communication sessions as required with national/local CSO, CBOs, local communities and any other relevant stakeholders including potential SGP applicants, to showcase the SGP Programme and its contributions to finding local solutions to global environmental problems.
• Coordinate the preparation of communication material and use of communications tools to support the SGP Process
• Maintain regular communication with key SGP stakeholders including FAO Guyana, the HQ SGP team, the Operational Partner and national stakeholders and provide technical support and guidance to them as required.
• Maintain an up-to-date data repository of relevant project documentation.
• Perform any other tasks as required to ensure proper functioning of the SGP in the country
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Master's or advanced degree in natural resource management, environmental studies, development studies, business administration, social sciences, or a related field with at least five (5) years of professional experience in planning, coordinating and implementing projects/programmes related to environmental/natural resource management or community-based environmental initiatives; OR
A Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, environmental studies, development studies, business administration, social sciences, or a related field with at least eight (8) years of professional experience in planning, coordinating and implementing project/programmes related to environmental/natural resource management and community-based environmental initiatives.
• Working knowledge (proficient–level C) of English.
• National of Guyana.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Demonstrated experience working with a wide range of stakeholders including development partners, government agencies and civil society organisations.
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (including Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and other relevant software and web-based management systems
• Familiarity with UN policies and programmes is considered an asset
• Experience in facilitating consultations with diverse stakeholder groups including civil society
• Strong analytical and report writing skills including preparation of technical reports
• Familiarity with grant-making procedures and reporting is an asset.
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
• 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/.These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• 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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