UN Program Specialist & Field Office Coordinator Job Careers – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Job Title: Program Specialist & Field Office Coordinator
Organisation: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
Reports to: FAO Representative
About US:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has a global mandate to improve nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, raise the standard of living in rural populations and contribute to global economic’ growth. Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO’s efforts – to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.
Job Summary: The Programme Specialist & Field Coordinator will be responsible for field Coordination of GCP/UGA/043/LDF project as well as in running the FAO Sub-office in Lira with the objective of ensuring all interventions under its jurisdiction are delivered within the agreed scope, time, cost and quality.
The Program Specialist &Field Coordinator will be responsible for coordination of the GCP/UGA/043/LDF project as well as for running the FAO Sub-office in Lira with the objective of ensuring all project activities in the districts falling within the office jurisdiction are delivered within the agreed scope, time, cost and quality in collaboration with the respective Technical Specialist/Team Leads. He/ She will also provide technical advice and support, monitor progress and report on the project status and manage the Lira sub-office.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Within the framework of the Country Programme Framework, coordinate and implement FAO’s interventions in the country in relation to global, regional, sub-regional and national frameworks;
- Represent FAO in general agriculture development, food security, emergency and rehabilitation/humanitarian inter-agency coordination meetings in the areas of coverage, report on outcomes and recommendations of meetings and take necessary follow up actions;
- Liaise with, and collaborate with all actors working in agriculture and food and nutrition security in the context of climate resilience, development, emergency and rehabilitation in targeted areas at political, administrative and technical levels relevant to FAO’s work ensuring that programs fulfill expectations quickly and efficiently;
- Preserve the corporate image of FAO at all fora and ensuring that all activities on the ground are technically sound and meet expectations of government, donors and the communities served;
- Assist District Local Governments (DLGs) in assigned areas in convening regular food security and agricultural livelihood coordination meetings;
- Organize and/or participate in review and assessment missions when needed and be a key resource person on food security and agricultural livelihood and needs for on-going and future programmatic interventions in assigned areas.
- Supervise and coordinate activities of Lira-based technical and administrative project team members, implementing partners as well as consultants in the districts covered by the Lira Sub-Office.
- Identify suitable Sub-Offices, and establish and maintain good relationship with District local government
- Ensure efficient management of Sub-Office premises and resources (Supplies, Vehicles, Petty cash, etc.)
- Provide on regular basis technical and managerial advice to the Implementing Partners (IPs),as well as develop implementation schedules for all Letters of Agreement and contracts ensuring smooth and efficient implementation of project interventions and that the necessary links are built with other ongoing initiatives in the each target district under his/her responsibility;
- Support planning, implementing, monitoring, and coordinating implementation of project interventions for value chain development
- Provide or facilitate as may be required need-based training and capacity building in agriculture, value chain and Natural resources management to IPs, farmer leaders and district local government technicians.
- Be part of and guide the ground working process of Farmer Field School Groups(FFS) groups/farmer groups/watershed management associations and ensure group action plans are appropriate. Supervise and ensure right procedures are followed through the formalization process with regard to establishing the leadership structure, making constitutions, by-laws, registration with community development offices and opening up of bank accounts where applicable; supervise and monitor the implementation of the detailed FFS/farmer groups/watershed management associations work plans
- Support and follow up project activities with organized community groups (i.e. FFS, farmer groups and watershed management associations) to ensure that functional requisite structures, concrete plans and strategies for continuity are in place beyond project life; regularly liaise and coordinate with IP to ensure timely implementation and reporting of GCP/UGA/043/LDF and maintain a regular exchange of information with them
- Together with the various IPs, mentor and groom the FFS groups/farmer groups into forming higher level associations and cooperatives for entrepreneurship development and self-reliance; mentor emerging FFS groups/ Farmer groups into effective operational farmer institutions with both management and business capabilities registered with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.
- Support the strengthening of Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLAs) within FFS, FFS networks and other cooperatives for value chain addition
- Ensure gender mainstreaming in project supported FFS, FFS networks, cooperatives and other community-based groups
- In consultation with the M&E Unit, the Reporting Officer and Project Manager, liaise with the Implementing Partners to ensure systematic, timely and comprehensive data collection and capturing of emerging lessons
- Undertake routine monitoring of project implementation, organize joint monitoring missions and coordinate M&E activities including baseline, midterm, result-oriented missions, and impact assessment in close collaboration with project stakeholders;
- Closely liaise with the Reporting Officer, Project Result Leads and Project Manager to undertake documentation of evidence-based impact case studies and contribute to drafting of progressive and final reports for all project interventions in the districts of coverage.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The ideal candidate for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Program Specialist & Field Office Coordinator job opportunity should hold an advanced University degree, preferably in Agriculture, Natural Resources Management, Value Chain Development, Agricultural Economics/Economics, Rural development, Social science or related fields.
- At least three years of relevant experience in agricultural development, Sustainable Land Management, ecosystem and natural resources management or related fields.
- Working knowledge of English.
- National of Uganda
- Extent and relevance of experience on Agro-Pastoral/ Farmer Field schools and value chain development
- Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge on Sustainable Land Management in Uganda
- Extent and relevance of experience and Knowledge on watershed management, disaster risk reduction, pasture development and agro-forestry development
- Previous experience in providing training to local communities
- Extent of knowledge and experience on gender issues
- Extent of knowledge and experiences in working with various stakeholders in Uganda including UN, Government, NGOs, private sector, academics, and others
- Writing and communication skills
- Ability to manage a high workload, meet tight deadlines and multi-task under pressure
FAO Core Competencies
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested Ugandan nationals should submit their applications online at the link below.
Deadline: 6th August 2019
: List of Current Job Vacancies / Opportunities in Uganda