National Project Coordinator

The main aim of the FAO Country Offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist the governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The National Project Coordinator reports to the Programme Officer under the overall supervision of the FAO Subregional Coordinator for Central Asia and the FAO Representative in Turkey. He/she also works under the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and in collaboration with FAO Turkey Office (FETUR) Team.

Programme development, coordination and operational supervision based on knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language and institutions in the country of assignment. Ensure the smooth functioning of project operations, consistent service delivery, and continuous evaluation, readjustment and improvement of the operational environment to reflect the FAO Representation’s evolving needs.

Under overall supervision of the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator for Central Asia and FAO Representative in Turkey and direct supervision of Programme Officer, FETUR, technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer, and in close cooperation with the National Project Director and project team, the National Project Coordinator will perform the following tasks\:

• Manage the project to ensure achievement of project results;
• Coordinate and implement the day-to-day activities of the project through effective and efficient use of resources;
• Ensure and be responsible for the production of all project reports, budgets and work plans as well as for the timely deliverable outputs; and
• Oversee the completion of the project’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan and supervise its implementation, in collaboration with the project team as well as the completion of the baseline assessments and their compliance with the M&E plan.

In particular, the incumbent will\:

•Prepare detailed Project Implementation Strategy and annual work plans in line with project budget, objectives and outcomes in collaboration with stakeholders, and make necessary arrangements for their successful implementation in a timely manner;

•Prepare technical specifications of the required project inputs (equipment, supplies), in full compliance with local conditions of demonstration sites and project needs;

•Draft and finalize the terms of reference for experts/consultants and the terms and conditions of the consultancies as required, send monthly reports about the completed activities and project progress reports in accordance to the Guide to the FAO Project Cycle Management to reflect the outputs and results of the project against agreed work plans, and identify constraints and issues that require timely resolution and corrective actions;

•Monitor progress of implementation in relation to annual work plan in particular timeliness, achievement of project objectives and impact, and implement corrective measures when required;

• Lead, coordinate and ensure that project team and project experts/consultants achieve project outputs;

• Manage, with the guidance and coordination with FETUR, the project budget and fulfil all project reporting duties according to GEF and FAO principles;

• Coordinate the organization of the project’s final evaluation;

•Build a network of regular and sustained communications and coordination actions (e.g. workshops, meetings, field trips, skype/telephone conferences, emails) with project team, stakeholders and partners in the project intervention area and the country;

•Assume overall responsibility for the proper handling of logistics related to project workshops and events;

•Facilitate the flow of information to stakeholders and PSC by regular meetings and emails;

•Collect annual co-financing data from all stakeholders;

•Monitor the project budget (including the delivery of co-financing) and prepare ad hoc and yearly expenditure plans and reports and inform the budget holder and PSC in a timely fashion;

•Prepare technical progress and terminal reports while ensuring conformity with the project’s reporting requirements and schedule;

•Lead the project team, with guidance from the FAO Communications Specialist, in the design and implementation of a communications work plan for the project and supervise the delivery of communication products;

•Establish links between FAO, National Project Implementation Unit, focal points at Ministerial level, PSC and stakeholder board;

• Provide thorough information across all levels during decision-making processes;

• Reflect stakeholder-approved changes in revision of budget in a timely manner;
• Perform other related tasks and duty travel as required.

• National of Turkey;
• Advanced university degree in agriculture, forestry, environmental studies, rural development or any other related field.
• At least 7 years’ experience in agriculture or forestry field with a focus on sustainable land management.
• Experience in Land Degradation Neutrality monitoring is an asset.
• Working knowledge of English and Turkish.

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable
• Knowledge of UN field programmes, or FAO operational work within the agricultural sector in Turkey would be an asset
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project management including PCM, project design techniques, donor reporting
• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of technical programmes, operational guidelines and programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations (UN) or FAO, would be considered an asset
• Demonstrated ability to analyse complex donor compliance, project implementation and other operational issues in line with governing regulations, rules and relevant project management guidelines
• Experience in the region covered by SEC is desirable;
• Proven report writing skills