National Project Manager

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

Organizational Setting

This assignment will support the FAO Sub-regional Office for Central Asia and the Regional CACILM-2 Project in implementation of the multi-country FAO-GEF project titled “Integrated natural resources management in drought-prone and salt-affected agricultural production landscapes in Central Asia and Turkey” (CACILM2) - GCP /SEC/293/GFF. The overall objective of the CACILM-2 project is to scale up the integrated natural resources management (INRM) in drought prone and salt affected agricultural production landscapes in the Central Asian countries and Turkey. This will be done through scaling up of sustainable management practices that minimize pressures and negative impacts on natural resources that reduce risks and vulnerability and, enhance capacity of rural communities to cope with or adapt to drought and salinity. The National Project Manager will implement national activities of project in Turkmenistan, establish strong communication with national Government partners to implement CACILM-2 project in the country and contribute to implementation of the national activities of the project.

Reporting Lines

The National Project Manager will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator for Central Asia and under the direct supervision of the Lead Technical Officer and Regional Program Coordinator, in close cooperation with the national authorities as well as national and local consultants.

Technical Focus

Natural resources management, agricultural science or engineering, environmental engineering, or any other related fields with extensive experience in project management and implementation of sustainable land management (SLM) practices

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Project Manager will be working to perform the tasks as listed below\:

 Implementation of national activities of project in Turkmenistan

 Establish strong communication with national Government partners to implement CACILM-2 project in the country

 Contribute to implementation of the regional activities of the project

Planning, operations and resource management of the national project

1. Plan and design all project activities in the country, including preparation of the national-level Annual Work Plan (AWP), and support the regional project coordinator in the preparation of the project’s regional AWP based on the project document;

2. Coordinate the establishment of the reporting, and monitoring and evaluation system at the national level in accordance with FAO/GEF requirements; introduce and maintain the system of reporting and adaptive management where appropriate;

3. Implement and/or supervise the outcome monitoring system, designed by the project M&E team, for capacity building and awareness activities for organisations, groups and individuals at national and local level.

4. Ensure implementation of project activities in accordance with work plan and facilitate the two-ways flow of information and knowledge between the field and national/regional project components/activities;

5. Support FAOSEC office for coordination of the procurement processes, develop national procurement plan and budget, plan and monitor the expenditures, at the national level in accordance with FAO rules and regulations;

6. provide leadership and contribute to the capacity building and development of national specialists and project staff for successful project implementation, including gender mainstreaming;

7. Perform similar duties to ensure the country’s participation in CACILM2 project events, coordinate project activities with FAO’s current work in the country, assist development of synergies and cooperation among various stakeholders and partners;

8. Provide other implementation support such as gender mainstreaming to ensure the successful implementation of the project activities and delivery of results.

2.1. adapt and introduce knowledge management and practice sharing mechanisms, including provision of necessary training and other capacity building;

2.2. coordinate the implementation of field activities as per approved annual work plan, including multilateral land use planning, introduction of innovative drought mitigation technologies, conservation agriculture approaches, agro-sylvo-pastoral and agro-forestry practices, water-saving irrigation and drought-resistant varieties, strengthening of value chains and other;

2.3. supervise and coordinate the organization of various capacity building and awareness events, including training events both at local and national level, including symposia, fairs, workshops and other;

2.4. introduce mechanism for coordination of SLM and INRM efforts among various partners and stakeholders in order to institutionalize the CACILM mechanism and present for review and approval at CACILM national board;

2.5. promote mechanisms for mainstreaming SLM approaches and climate change issues (drought- and salinity-related) into existing policy mechanisms in the country, present these approaches to CACILM National Board and technical staff;

2.6. coordinate the national capacity development and/or adaptation of training modules to national systems for FAO developed tools (e.g. EX-ACT, SHARP, AquaCrop, WOCAT, ASIS, Collect Earth and other tools), related to Land Degradation, Climate Change and salinity management (monitoring);

2.7. provide required coordination for project outreach and communication plan

3.1. Coordinate national and regional project interventions in Turkmenistan with ongoing activities of national projects and programs of other donors and stakeholders at the national level;

3.2. Represent the national CACILM-2 project, liaise regularly with provincial government on field activities, National Project Coordinator and national government;

3.3. Maintain an effective project coordination between national implementing agency national focal points for UNCCD, UNFCCC and GEF OFP and project partners;

3.4. Form a national expert group on SLM practices.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

1. Technical competencies\:

• University degree in Environmental Science or Engineering, Rural Development; agricultural science or engineering, or any other related fields with extensive experience in project management and implementation of sustainable land management (SLM )practices

• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in project management, at the local level or/and international level; with extensive knowledge of application of Sustainable Land Management practices

• Advanced level of English and Russian languages is required, and a good command of local language will be an advantage;

• National of Turkmenistan

• Results Focus

• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

  Technical/Functional Skills

• Ability to use computer programmes such excel, SPSS, or other software to manage and analyse (large) data sets

• Excellent communication skills with district and national government, national experts and local communities;

• Knowledge and experience on UN system is an asset;

• Experience in programme/project matters with international organizations (GEF, UNCCD, UNFCCC etc.) would be desirable.

• Solid management skills in development projects, particularly on area of SNRM at national or international level;

• Proven leadership skills demonstrated ability to open up to new approaches and new practices;

• Systematic and efficient approach to work assignments, good judgment and analytical ability;

• Experience in supervision of project technical experts and group of consultants;

• Ability to deliver project outputs and budgets on timely manner with high standard quality;

• Proven coordination and management skills to implement the capacity building programs and activities, including development and organization of training events at the national and local level;

Experience in the monitoring of programme outcomes and the design and implementation of base and end-line surveys

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 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 additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/