Emergency Field Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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 FAO Representation in Bangladesh is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning, and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the country. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in Bangladesh and, in collaboration with Regional Office Asia and Pacific and the departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to the country priorities. The Representation also supports the regional office in the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the country, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. The office also develops and maintains relations with Government of Bangladesh, UN agencies, the resource partners and other development institution at the country level.

Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to recurrent climate and disaster risks, including floods, flash floods, cyclones, droughts. These shocks have significant impacts on agricultural production, food security, rural livelihoods, and household incomes, particularly among smallholder and marginal farming communities. Despite considerable progress in disaster preparedness and climate adaptation, increasing climate variability and extreme events continue to undermine the resilience and recovery capacity of vulnerable households. According to the recent food security analysis, approximately 18.2 million people are expecting high levels of food insecurity till December 2026, while approximately 1 million households require immediate agricultural inputs. To address food insecurity, build the resilience of farmers and sustainable agrifood system, FAO works closely with the Government and provides technical support.

Proposed Duty Station

This is an Upazila-based position. Five (5) Emergency Field Coordinator posts are available, one per Upazila, at the following duty stations: Tahirpur Upazila (Sunamganj District), Kalmakanda Upazila (Netrokona District), Islampur Upazila (Jamalpur District), Kazipur Upazila (Sirajganj District), and Porsha Upazila (Naogaon District).

Reporting Lines

This is a National Project Personnel (NPP) assignment, benchmarked at SC-7 grade level. The Emergency Field Coordinator will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, Deputy FAO Representative, and Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and direct supervision of the National Emergency and Resilience Specialist and working in close collaboration with the emergency agriculture specialist, livestock expert, meal coordinator, water specialist.

Technical Focus

The responsibilities include Emergency agriculture/livestock response and recovery, food Security, needs and damage assessment, input management and distribution, livelihood rehabilitation, field monitoring and quality assurance, farmer engagement, data management and reporting, climate-resilient agriculture, and coordination with relevant government authorities, partners, and service. Additionally, the Emergency Field Coordinator will lead the formation of Village Savings Loan Association (VSLA), farmers aggregation centers, and ensure the distribution of project inputs. S/he will ensure effective and timely implementation of project activities, and updates to management day-to-day basis.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance on livelihood diversification, disaster risk reduction, preparedness, climate-resilient practices, and other resilience-building interventions to the community people.
• Lead the establishment and functioning of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and farmer aggregation centres in the assigned district.
• Coordinate and oversee the field-level implementation of project activities in accordance with the approved workplan and project logframe, ensuring the timely delivery of emergency inputs and other project assistance with appropriate coverage, beneficiary selection, quality, timeliness, and accountability.
• Liaise with Upazila/District-level service providers and suppliers to facilitate timely receipt, delivery, storage, and distribution of project inputs and maintain accurate stock and inventory records.
• Develop and implement monitoring and assessment tools, checklists, and quality assurance mechanisms to track project progress against logframe indicators, outputs, outcomes.
• Coordinate with Field Facilitators to collect, verify, analyze, and report field-level information and ensure timely submission of accurate data.
• Coordinate with the MEAL Coordinator and relevant technical teams to ensure effective monitoring, data quality, technical quality, and implementation of project activities.
• Establish and maintain active coordination meeting and liaison with relevant government departments, including DAE, DLS, DoF, local government institutions, and other stakeholders at district, Upazila, and Union levels to facilitate project implementation, technical support, and information sharing.
• Maintain regular communication with the Project/Emergency Manager and Dhaka Office and provide timely updates on implementation progress, challenges, risks, and technical recommendations.
• Document and communicate lessons learned, good practices, success stories, technical innovations, case studies, and evidence of project outcomes.
• Conduct regular field visits to project intervention areas to directly supervise and monitor implementation, consult with beneficiaries and community groups, verify the delivery and utilization of project inputs
• Coordinate with programme, technical, MEAL, procurement, logistics, and operations teams to ensure timely and effective implementation of field activities.
• Ensure dissemination of AAP and FAO’s feedback mechanisms among beneficiaries and support timely recording and follow-up of complaints and feedback.
• Perform other relevant duties related to emergency response, resilience programming, field coordination, and project implementation as assigned by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in Agriculture, Economics, Disaster Management, Development Studies, or any other relevant Field.
• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in one or more of the following: Agriculture, Emergency response and recovery, Climate resilience, Monitoring and reporting, and community-based development projects.
• Working Knowledge of English (Level C).
• Bangladeshi nationality.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experienced in emergency response, preparedness, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Community self-reliance.
• Experience in Cash and Voucher, Cash preparedness, stakeholder coordination.
• Project implementation and monitoring and reporting, documentation, Survey designs questionnaire development.
• Proficient computer skills - Microsoft Office software, email, internet, spread sheets;
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Skills in staff management and capacity development
• Knowledge of climate-smart agriculture, and agricultural market systems will be an advantage.
• Previous experience working in UN agencies will be an added advantage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION