International Coordination Specialist for Hand in Hand Initiative in Lao PDR

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• 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 Representative, is to assist 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.

The Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HHI) was launched by FAO Director-General to help tackle the slow and negative trends in achieving the SDG targets, in particular the persistence of extreme poverty, hunger and malnutrition. The evidence-based, country-led and country-owned Initiative seeks to accelerate agricultural transformation and sustainable rural development. It brings an innovative approach to partnering through matchmaking. It empowers countries and their partners through sophisticated data sharing and model-based analytics to improve the targeting of policies, innovation and investment. The Initiative is an inclusive process that aims to build partnerships, alliances and synergies among public and private actors, as well as the international development partners for the goals of eradicating poverty and hunger and reducing inequalities. It will channel the required resources – technical, financial, institutional and human capital – to where they are needed the most and where the potential for reaching the SDG 1, SDG 2 and SDG 10 targets is greatest.

The Government of Lao PDR (GoL) suggested the HIHI be implemented in the emerging economic corridor along the China-Laos railway line. This key national infrastructure is expected to connect the country with the world’s largest market, China and other countries in ASEAN – the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The proposed Initiative aims to enhance the capacity of previously isolated communities to effectively and sustainably take advantage of the emerging opportunities afforded by the railway.

A multidisciplinary team consisting of experts from various FAO technical units in FAO Headquarters in Rome and the Regional Office for Asia – Pacific in Bangkok is providing support and technical inputs for the preparation of Lao Hand in Hand programme plan. The team is led by the FAO Representative in Lao PDR.

The incumbent will work in the FAO Representation in Vientiane, Lao PDR under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in close coordination with the technical experts based in the Regional Office and headquarters.

Reporting Lines

The International Coordination Specialist for Hand in Hand Initiative will work in the FAO Representation in Vientiane, Lao PDR under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in close coordination with the Laos HIHI Task force and technical experts based in country, in the Regional Office and Headquarters.

Technical Focus

HIH coordination, field programme development, engagement with government counterparts/private sector/NGOs and international financial institutions, implementation, monitoring of programme of work, reporting and quality assurance.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will:
• Provide coordination support to the technical team, represent FAO in meetings with government and development partners.
• Engage with government counterparts at technical level and develop operational links with Lao HiHi task team members.
• Coordinate information gathering, consolidate technical and operations data including data collection from various government entities in Lao PDR.
• Identify, and support match making process and activities for Lao HiHi programme with different stakeholders and groups of them (i.e., development cooperation, private sector, NGOs, UN system, IFIs etc.).
• Lead team of consultants and technical experts undertaking technical tasks in support of the programme.
• Prepare monthly updates on the progress.
• Highlight project roadblocks in timely manner to management for timely solutions.
• Attend and prepare meeting briefs, minutes etc.
• Support the communications teams in Headquarters, Regional Office and Country Office in preparing communications materials, media releases and other outreach activities.
• Assist in maintaining and updating a database of up-to-date disaggregated indicators and data sources to serve as reference for analysis and reporting on the progress, outcomes and impacts of HIHI.
• Prepare talking points, reports, presentations, and briefs etc.
• Liaise with other UN and I/NGO partners in HiHi related activities.
• Keep development partners updated on the HiHi in Lao PDR and actively seek collaboration.
• Lead preparation and participation of Lao HiHi in the First Investment Week in October 2022
• Any other responsibility assigned by the FAO Representative.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture economics, development studies, political science, social science, international relations, business administration, agribusiness management, or a related field of the Organization.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in developing countries related to project or programme management, project operations, project cycle or related area.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish for Consultants; Working knowledge of English for PSA.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection criteria

• Experience with FAO or other UN agencies is preferable.
• Excellent communications skills both written and verbal.
• Experience with Agri-tech is an asset.
• Prior experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience of the Asia Pacific Region is an asset.

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