Programme Support and Resilience Specialist

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

• 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 Members 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 FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representatives, is to assistant governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner to ensure zero hunger in the country. FAO provides support in three priority areas: sustainable increase in production and productivity, agriculture-based economic growth, and increased resilience of livelihoods to threats and crisis.

The current portfolio of projects in South Sudan includes activities related to agriculture (crop), livestock, Fisheries, Natural Resource management, food information systems is implemented with humanitarian, transitional and development funding. The incumbent will contribute to the country’s programme and portfolio as foreseen in the project he/she will coordinate and be assigned.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Support Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for South Sudan, the direct supervision of the Emergency and Resilience Coordinator.

Technical Focus

• Develop Strategies for sustainable and resilient agriculture and food systems, with special focus on establishment of food security and nutrition monitoring system (FSNMS).
• Ensure full compliance with FAO partnerships approach at different levels.
• Extent and depth of knowledge of, and experience in food security information systems, including the implementation of a variety of methodologies / techniques – e.g. household surveys, market and climate monitoring, emergency/rapid food security assessments etc.;
• Demonstrated liaise and develop partnerships with the Government, UN and NGOs.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in South Sudan, direct supervision of Emergency Response Coordinator and in close coordination with the Technical Team and CTAs, Programme Support and Resilience Specialist will:
• Support the Emergency and Resilience Coordinator (ERC) on the response and resilience related work in the country including preparedness, needs assessment, response, programming, implementation and resource mobilization, in liaison and collaboration with the foods security cluster/sector and relevant FAO personnel;
• Support the ERC to coordinate the work of the Emergency Response Team, establish country and operational objectives and monitor progress through regular planning meetings and the development, updating, and disseminating of the action plan; ensure that corrective measures are timely implemented based on monitoring results;
• Support the ERC to Promote FAO’s Response, focusing on emergency and rehabilitation role and Programme with government parties, UN Agencies, Regional Organizations, NGOs and donors;
• Review relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions;
• Prepare various written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.;
• Undertake outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
• Assist the Emergency team in formulation process of the detailed target plan for ELRP and ensure finalizing the Call for Proposal for identifying the Implementing partners;
• Work with LOA Team and Information Management Team to assess NGOs for partnership within the framework of ELRP and targeted by the different projects;
• Support and guide project managers and Programme unit teams in formulation and approval process of the Letter of Agreement documents under ELRP;
• Monitor, update, and report on achievement of the partner’s activities by attending relevant meetings, and networking events;
• Support the ERC to coordinate activities related to budget and funding (Programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work Programme, Programme budget, etc.);
• Ensure FAO’s active participation in all humanitarian coordination mechanisms (including clusters and/or sectors), with local government authorities, other UN agencies, donors and other partners;
• Assist the ERC to develop emergency operations plan and oversees the implementation of all operational activities, to include those managed at country level and those at Regional Office and/or at headquarters;
• Assist in setting up emergency assessment and response teams immediately to address new emergencies and provide surge capacity to country offices;
• Support the ERC to coordinate the development of FAO’s contribution to inter-agency Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs) and Flash Appeal and the preparation of project profiles and full-fledged project documents for donor funding;
• Assist the ERC to support sectorial coordination through the FAO-WFP co-led Food Security Cluster/Sector in the country;
• Assist the ERC to ensure the development of an advocacy and outreach plan, including key messages, communication material such as Executive and ad-hoc Briefs, Situation Reports, and the authorization of information to external communication sources;
• Assist the ERC to establish and maintains regular contacts with donors, and ensures the provision of updated information on FAO assessments, response plans, and activities;
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Social Sciences, Development studies, management or related degree. An advanced degree is an added advantage.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of a second FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) for Consultants preferably Arabic. Working knowledge of English for PSA.SBS.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in developing operation, advocacy and outreach plans, project implementation.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Good interpersonal, communications and facilitation skills;
• Sound knowledge and experience in writing reports;
• Demonstrate capacity to carry out assignments with high level of independence and minimal technical guidance.
• Good knowledge of the UN system, procedures and operational activities would be an advantage.
• Ability to organize and implement emergency response direct project activities (workshop, mission, assessment, etc.), work in hardship context and guide implementing partners and beneficiaries organizations.
• Ability to operate effectively in a team, contributing positively to team operations and working relationships
• Understand and adhere to FAO goals and principle and the FAO South Sudan strategy and objectives.
• Candidates with knowledge of other local languages spoken in the region will get preference.

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