Emergency and Resilience Programme Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representatives, 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 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 they will coordinate and be assigned.

Reporting Lines

The Emergency and Resilience Programme Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for South Sudan, the direct supervision of the Head of Emergency and Resilience Unit and in close coordination with the Technical Team and Chief Technical Advisors.

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

• Extend the 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.

• Demonstrate, liaise and develop partnerships with the Government, UN and NGOs

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist the Head of Emergency and Resilience in promoting FAO's response with government parties, UN agencies, regional organizations, NGOs, and donors;

• Support the Head of Emergency and Resilience with response and resilience work in the country, including preparedness, needs assessment, response, programming, implementation, and resource mobilization, in coordination and collaboration with the FAO food security cluster/sector;

• Assist the Emergency and Resilience Team in coordinating work, setting country and operational objectives, and monitoring progress through regular meetings and the development, updating, and dissemination of action plans; implement corrective measures in response to monitoring results in a timely manner;

• Review relevant documents and reports; identifiy problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions;

• Prepare of a variety of written outputs, such as background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, contributions to publications, etc. ;

• Conduct outreach activities; conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; make presentations on assigned topics/activities;

• Ensure finalization of the Call for Proposals for identifying the Implementing partners for ELRP; assist the Emergency and Resilience team in formulating the detailed target plan;

• Work with the LOA Team and the Information Management Team to assess NGOs for partnership within the ELRP and targeted by the various projects;

• Provide guidance and support for the development and approval process of Letters of Agreements under the ELRP.

• Monitor, update, and report on achievement of the partner’s activities by attending relevant meetings, and networking events;

• Assist Head of Emergency and Resilience Unit 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, 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 in setting up emergency assessment and response teams immediately to address new emergencies and provide surge capacity to country offices;

• Prepare project profiles and full-fledged project documents for donor funding as part of FAO's contribution to inter-agency Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs) and Flash Appeal;

• Provide sectoral coordination support through the FAO-WFP-led Food Security Cluster/Sector in the country

• Provide support to the Head of Emergency and Resilience Unit in the development of an advocacy and outreach plans, including key messages, communication materials, such as executive briefs, situation reports, and authorization for the dissemination of information to external sources;

• Ensure that the ERC maintains regular contact with donors and provides updated information on FAO assessments, response plans, and activities;

• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• A university degree in Social Sciences, Development studies, International Relations, Management or related degree.

• Working knowledge of English (level C) and limited knowledge (level B) of a second FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, Russian). For PSA, working knowledge of English is required.

• 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

• An advanced degree is an added advantage.

• Knowledge of other languages spoken in the region is an asset.

• Strong interpersonal, communication and facilitation skills;

• Strong report writing skills;

• Ability to organize and implement emergency response direct project activities (workshops, missions, assessments, etc.), work in hardship context and guide implementing partners and beneficiaries organizations;

• Capacity to carry out assignments independently with minimal technical guidance;

• Knowledge of the UN system, procedures and operational activities is an advantage;

• Ability to work well in a team.