National Project Coordinator (Agrifood Systems)

Organizational Setting

The FAO Sub-regional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) was established in Samoa to coordinate FAO's work across 13 member countries and one Associate Member in the Pacific sub-region. SAP is responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing programmes to address food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development priorities, and maintains relations with sub-regional institutions and entities. SAP is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok.

The Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agrifood Systems (STODAS) project is funded by the European Union Delegation (EUD) to the Pacific under project reference FED/2022/436-777 (FAO: GCP/SAP/011/EC). The project operates across Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands with a total EU budget of EUR 10 million, and aims to foster resilient, sustainable and inclusive agrifood system transformation through the following three outputs:

Output 1: Strengthened policy and institutional environment in support of national agrifood systems transformation agenda
Output 2: Strengthened sustainable and community-based production systems
Output 3: Strengthened capacities for sustainable agrifood systems

The project started in August 2024, and the end date has been extended within the existing budget from the earlier project end date of July 2026 to now ending in January 2028. In Samoa, the project works in close partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), among other public, private and civil society stakeholders.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator (SRC), the National Project Coordinator (NPC) will directly report to the Programme Officer based in Apia, Samoa who acts as Team Leader for the project. The NPC will work in close collaboration with the FAO Lead Technical Officer (LTO), the international agriculture specialist assigned to the project, and the project's operations, procurement, M&E and communications teams. The NPC will maintain effective day-to-day working relations with MAF and other national stakeholders in Samoa.

Technical Focus

The National Project Coordinator will serve as the primary in-country focal point for STODAS project implementation in Samoa during the assignment period. The NPC will provide effective technical and operational leadership to ensure that all three project outputs advance substantially in Samoa in accordance with the approved Year 3/NCE workplan, the project's Logical Framework Matrix (LFM), and FAO and EU policies and procedures.

The NPC will take ownership of delivery, provide oversight and coordination support for Outputs 1, 2 and 3, and represent FAO in national stakeholder engagements. The role requires strong technical knowledge of agrifood systems, policy development, project management and partnership coordination, as well as the ability to manage Letters of Agreement (LOAs) and procurement processes in compliance with FAO standards.

Tasks and responsibilities

Project Leadership and Coordination

• Provide in-country leadership for STODAS NCE start-up and implementation in Samoa, ensuring coherent delivery across all three outputs within the approved workplan and budget during the 12-month assignment.
• Facilitate development, validation and dissemination of national agrifood policies and strategies, (Agriculture sector plan 2027/2028-2031/2032, Extension and Advisory services Strategy); monitor and report weekly/monthly on progress, flagging risks and proposing mitigating actions.
• Represent FAO STODAS in national coordination platforms, including the national PSC subcommittee, and participate in the Annual Review and Planning Meeting.

Output 1: Policy and Institutional Environment

• Coordinate the Agriculture sector plan 2027/2028-2031/2032, delivered through consultant services and stakeholder consultations under an LOA.
• Support the independent assessment of agriculture and fisheries extension and advisory services and the development of a strategy to strengthen these services across Samoa.
• Oversee development of the cloud-based digital platform for stakeholder collaboration on technical advice, complementing the MAF digital media hub, and the national E-strategy framework with an integrated digital registry, in a phased approach.
• Coordinate development of the National Policy on Mandatory Fencing of Pig Pens and confinement of free-range poultry to reduce crop damage, alongside the review of food loss and farm damage studies focused on feral pigs.

Output 2: Production Systems

• Coordinate LOAs and related procurement to establish and improve taro, yam and vegetable nurseries across Upolu and Savaii, strengthening the national seed and planting material supply system.
• Support establishment of school gardens and household/community gardens to promote production and consumption of nutritious crops and wider community adoption.
• Oversee research, monitoring and data collection on feral pig trap efficacy and wild pig population changes, including procurement of a field vehicle to support MAF monitoring teams.
• Coordinate establishment of poultry farm enterprises in Upolu and Savaii, through LoAs with MAF and equipment procurement, to substitute chicken imports and benefit subsistence farmers.
• Plan procurement proactively, submitting technical specifications well in advance, and conduct regular field monitoring visits.

Output 3: Agribusiness Capacity

• Support continued operation of the SROS-hosted Agribusiness Incubation (ABI) Centre, towards identifying and developing at least 60 agribusinesses over the project term.
• Coordinate technical and business workshops, field visits and campaigns to build stakeholder capacities in key value chains, including taro, cassava, breadfruit, vegetables, cocoa and coconut, delivered in collaboration with MAF Advisory Services.

LOA and Procurement Management

• Take ownership of finalising and operationalising all outstanding LOAs and service contracts in Samoa per FAO Manual Section 507, ensuring Service Providers receive adequate orientation, guidance and backstopping.
• Coordinate with the project’s Procurement and Operations Specialists to ensure full compliance with FAO and EU policies.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Coordinate with the national M&E Specialist on indicator data collection and reporting, including gender-disaggregated data, and contribute to the beneficiary baseline survey and MIS data entry.
• Prepare high-quality contributions to progress reports, PSC updates and the Annual Progress Report to the donor (due by 30 September each year).
• Ensure smooth handover of project information and stakeholder relationships for continuity beyond the assignment.

Communications, Visibility and Knowledge Management

• Support project communication activities per EU Communication and Visibility guidelines, ensure correct EU and FAO branding on outputs and events, and document lessons learned.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties required for successful start-up and execution of STODAS in Samoa.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree from an institution recognised by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in agriculture, agrifood systems, natural resource management, development studies, public policy or a closely related field.
• A minimum of three years of progressively responsible professional experience in agricultural development, agrifood systems, project management or related fields, with demonstrated in-country experience in the Pacific, preferably in Samoa.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.
• National of Samoa

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong leadership, coordination and team management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills, with demonstrated ability to work effectively across government, civil society and private sector.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills, with ability to produce clear, concise and high-quality reports in English.
• Proven ability to manage complex workplans and multiple priorities under time pressure.
• Knowledge of gender mainstreaming and youth inclusion in agricultural development programmes.
• Proficiency in standard office software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with project MIS or data management tools is an advantage.

Selection Criteria

• Proven track record in managing development projects funded by international donors, including experience with LOA or contract management.
• Experience in agrifood policy development, stakeholder consultation facilitation or capacity building for government counterparts and civil society.
• Experience working with government ministries, CSOs and international organizations in a collaborative implementation setting.
• Familiarity with FAO project management procedures, including procurement and reporting, is an asset.
• Knowledge of the Samoan language is an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION