Agriculture Coordination & Liaison Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The main aim of the FAO Country offices is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition and to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environment and natural resources sustainably. In addition, FAO Ethiopia assists the Government in the coordination of humanitarian and recovery efforts in agriculture and provides support to farmers and pastoralists affected by crises and shocks. Within the framework of 2023 HRP and the Reconstruction, Recovery and Rehabilitation (3Rs) Plan for Northern Ethiopia, FAO plans to support households affected by conflicts and other disasters with emergency and recovery agricultural assistance to protect and restore livelihoods of most vulnerable populations.

Reporting Lines

The position is under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Ethiopia, programmatic guidance of the Assistant FAO Representative and under the direct supervision of the International Programme Specialist for Tigray. He/She will work in close collaboration with m the FAO teams in Mekelle and Addis Ababa.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide support to the FAO Ethiopia’s Mekelle Field Office in coordination, Programme implementation and documentation and reporting.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will undertake the following tasks:

• Coordinate programme implementation as outlined in 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) and Reconstruction, Recovery and Rehabilitation (3Rs) Plan for Northern Ethiopia; • Establish, maintain and strengthen the partnerships with Regional, Zonal and Woreda Bureau of Agriculture (BoA) and other agriculture cluster partners to implement the programme, ensuring that they are operating efficiently to fulfil the expectations of the programme; • Timely prepare Letter of Agreements (LOAs) with implementing partners to ensure timely implementation of projects, monitor implementation of LOAs and review partners’ reports; • Provide direction technical support and feedback to the implementing partners to ensure smooth and efficient implementation of the project activities; • Support FAO’s implementing partners to enhance project implementation in compliance with both fFAO rules and regulations and donor’s standards through regular monitoring, timely feedback and building capacity of the partners; • Support partners in beneficiary targeting and distribution of agricultural inputs based on vulnerability criteria established in collaboration with Bureau of Agriculture (BoA); • Provide capacity building to key stakeholders including project implementing partners, BoA staff and other agricultural cluster partners. Organize and/or supervise training programmes for partners and farmers on good usage of agricultural inputs provided by different projects; • Deliver timely and analytical reports and, ensuring also that the experience accumulated in the projects are well documented and disseminated in a manner that widely informs Regional Government and development partners; • Participate in the various fora that work to support reconstruction in Tigray region; • Provide technical support to agriculture cluster partners involved in the implementation of agriculture projects in Tigray region; • Regularly provide updates to the Disaster Risk Agriculture Task Force (DRM ATF), Area Humanitarian Team (AHT) AHT, Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC) on the progress of the agriculture inputs distribution; • Liaise with Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) in undertaking the regular assessments and programme reviews; • Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• The candidate should be a national of Ethiopia • Advanced university degree in agricultural sciences and rural development. • Minimum of 8 years of experience in direct project implementation, monitoring, and reporting • Working knowledge of English and good knowledge of the local language (s) used at the duty station is required.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience on project management and implementation using result-based management; including directing the formulation of detailed work plan, setting objectives and priorities; • Extent and relevance of experience in supporting and facilitating multi-stakeholders processes including interacting with policy- and decision makers at various levels; • Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills within team and with external stakeholders; • Demonstrated ability to communicate in English, concisely in writing and verbally • Excellent project management, team-working, planning, facilitation and communication skills; • Familiarity and good knowledge of agricultural livelihoods support systems, concept and approach, agricultural innovation system actors and issues in Ethiopia and in Tigray region specifically;

Selection Criteria

• Knowledge of policies and programmes on dry land agricultural sector in Tigray region and Ethiopia. • Experience in implementation of projects related to dry land agriculture in Ethiopia. • Demonstrated ability to summarize data and write technical and non-technical reports in English. • Good inter-personal skills and ability to work with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural staff. • Excellent command of MS Office applications and proficiency in PowerPoint.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.