Project Manager

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• 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 member nations, 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting

The Sub-Regional Office for Central Asia of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-SEC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing strategies for addressing food security, agriculture and rural development priorities in the sub-region. The Organization’s technical assistance includes institution building, development of knowledge and competencies, and exchange of experience among countries facing the challenges of transition.

FAO SEC is implementing a three-year project entitled “Improving efficiency of small ruminants production for reduction of the GHG emission intensity (GCP/SEC/014/TUR)” funded by the Government of Turkey started in April 2021. The expected outcome of the project is the increased capacity at national and sub-regional level to analyse the small ruminants production systems and make them more efficient, in a gender-sensitive manner, in each participating country and in the Central Asian sub-region as a whole. The improvement of agricultural value chains and the development of sustainable livestock production are amongst the priorities for FAO’s work in the Central Asia. In this regard, the project aims to contribute to the sector development at national level.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for Central Asia, the direct supervision of the project’s Lead Technical Officer (LTO), operational guidance from SEC FPU, in close coordination with Livestock Specialist of FAO-SEC, other international and national consultants and government counterparts at national and local levels in participating countries, the incumbent will undertake following tasks and responsibilities.

Technical Focus

• Small Ruminants Production System
• Project management and coordination

Tasks and responsibilities

• Coordinate timeliness and quality of implementation of all activities of project entitled “Improving efficiency of small ruminants production for reduction of the GHG emission intensity (GCP /SEC/014/TUR) and ensure adherence to administrative, project management and financial rules and regulations.
• Support the delivery of quality project outputs through preparation of annual work plans, including budgets and monitor progress against the approved work-plan and budget.
• Ensure effective liaison and maintain good communication with the resource partner, governments of the target countries and other stakeholders.
• Maintain records, with support of the administrative assistant, on technical and financial aspects of project operation, including monitoring of project activities and their outcomes; as well as minutes, decisions and recommendations of meetings and workshops.
• Coordinate project procurement and logistics activities with administrative support personnel.
• Coordinate activities with different partners and service providers and provide support to the formulation of LOAs and other related documents.
• Provide communication support on the project to the public, and logistical support to project activities and personnel when required, and disseminate relevant documentation to partners.
• Prepare timely and quality project progress and implementation reports for submission to FAO (in accordance with reporting procedures) and the resource partner.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• A university degree in Project Management, Public Administration, Livestock Production, Veterinary Science, Environment Management or another relevant major;
• At least seven years working experience with livestock development or environmental management projects;
• Solid knowledge of Central Asian livestock sector, including smallholders. Three years of relevant experience preferred;
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Russian required.
• National of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan (or residence/work permit holder in case residing in one of these countries but belongs to one other nationality among these countries)

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

- Multi-cultural and interpersonal skills with hands-on experiences in networking with partners at all levels (ministry, donors, private sector, NGOs and local community based organizations).
- Fluency in spoken and written English and Russian required
- Ability to draft technical reports in English desirable

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.