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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
FAO Sierra Leone, in collaboration with UNICEF, WFP and WHO, is implementing a Joint United Nations Nutrition (UNN) Programme aimed at improving climate resilience, food security and nutrition in four districts of Sierra Leone.
The programme adopts a multi-sectoral approach, targeting vulnerable populations (particularly women, youth, and children) and contributes to national priorities such as the Feed Salone Strategy and UNSDCF outcomes.
The Joint Programme focuses on three core outcomes:
• Strengthened climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods
• Improved access to quality, nutrition-sensitive services
• Enhanced governance and coordination in food and nutrition systems
Within this framework, FAO leads on agriculture, value chain development, and resilience-building interventions, including support to farmer groups, agro-processing, and community-level systems.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Sierra Leone, and the direct supervision of the Technical Coordinator, the Project Assistant will support the effective implementation of FAO-led components of the Joint Programme.
The incumbent will work in close collaboration with:
• Government counterparts (MAFS and decentralized structures)
• UN partner agencies (UNICEF, WFP, WHO)
• Implementing partners and NGOs
• FAO programme and operations teams
Technical Focus
The Project Assistant will provide integrated operational, administrative, and coordination support to ensure:
• Timely implementation of project activities
• Effective delivery of outputs across districts
• Compliance with FAO procedures and donor requirements
• Strengthened coordination among stakeholders.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Support the implementation of project activities across targeted districts in line with approved workplans;
• Assist in tracking progress against project outputs, indicators, and timelines;
• Contribute to the preparation and monitoring of annual, quarterly and monthly workplans;
• Liaise with government institutions, implementing partners, NGOs and UN agencies to facilitate coordinated implementation;
• Support organization of coordination meetings, technical workshops, and field missions;
• Facilitate communication between field teams and central project management;
• Initiate and follow up on procurement and administrative actions in FAO systems (GRMS);
• Assist in preparation and review of procurement documentation;
• Track procurement processes to ensure timely delivery of inputs and services;
• Support budget monitoring and assist in preparation of budget revisions;
• Collect, compile and validate data on project activities and outputs;
• Support preparation of high-quality reports (technical, operational, donor reports);
• Maintain project documentation and filing systems (including beneficiary records and MIS);
• Draft meeting minutes, briefs, and correspondence;
• Support planning and organization of trainings, workshops, and field activities;
• Ensure logistical arrangements (travel, venues, materials, participant coordination);
• Assist in preparation of training materials and documentation;
• Support field monitoring of activities and implementing partners;
• Assist in beneficiary identification, verification, and data collection processes;
• Ensure proper documentation of field activities and compliance with project procedures;
• Initiate and follow up on administrative actions related to travel, payments, contracts and personnel support
• Provide general administrative assistance to the project team;
• Perform any other duties as required by the supervisor.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Project Management, Business Administration, Development Studies, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in project/programme support, preferably in agriculture, food security, or development projects
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English
• National of Sierra Leone
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Experience in project implementation and coordination in multi-stakeholder environments
• Knowledge of results-based management (RBM) and reporting
• Experience in procurement and administrative processes
• Proficiency in standard IT tools and data management systems.
• Ability to support field operations and community-based activities
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
Selection Criteria
• Experience in UN or donor-funded projects (EU, Irish Aid, etc.)
• Familiarity with nutrition-sensitive agriculture and climate resilience programmes
• Experience working with government institutions and decentralized systems
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines
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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