FAO Field Project Assistant (multiple vacancies)

Contract

This is a SB-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Service Board / Service Contract. It is normally only for nationals. More about SB-3 contracts.

Background

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an intergovernmental Organization with more than 192 member countries. Since its inception, FAO has worked to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting agricultural development, improved nutrition and the pursuit of food security - defined as the access of all people at all times to the food they need for an active and healthy life.

To achieve its goals, FAO cooperates with thousands of partners worldwide, from farmers’ groups to traders, from non-governmental organizations to other UN agencies, and from development banks to agribusiness firms (further and more detailed information on FAO can be found on the internet site: http://www.fao.org).

Since 2002, the FAO Coordination Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS) has supported the preparation for, and response to, food and agricultural threats and livelihood emergencies in the WBGS through emergency relief, rehabilitation and revitalization of productive capacity. FAO interventions help protect access and entitlements of Palestinian farming households to land, water, services and markets. Such interventions are essential to enhance overall food security, reduce dependency on relief assistance amongst vulnerable Palestinians and contribute to institution building.

In order to strengthen its technical and operational capacities in the implementation of its programme,

FAO is seeking highly motivated Field Project Assistant. S/he will work under the overall supervision of the FAO WBGS Head of Office, the general supervision of the Head of Programme and the direct supervision of the respective Project Manager in FAO-WBGS.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Field Project Assistant will provide field technical support and contribute to the implementation of activities across different projects; in particular, s/he will perform the following key functions:

• assist and support the outreach and beneficiary mobilization actions including the design and delivery of information sessions in the different governorates of the WBGS;

• assist in the preparation, monitoring and updating of the field workplans for the implementation of projects’ activities;

• support the process of beneficiary identification and selection including reviewing and evaluating the screening, scoring and ranking of applications in accordance with the projects’ targeting criteria, procedures, operational manuals and other relevant documents;

• conduct field verification visits to the eligible applicants, beneficiaries and partners to ensure proper documentation and record management of the follow-up, verification, monitoring and certification processes for implementation progress in collaboration with the related FAO staff;

• provide field technical support to the projects’ beneficiaries during project implementation to assist them in identifying business development needs, developing and implementing business investment plans, and efficiently utilizing the projects’ in-kind and capacity development support to achieve the intended results and impacts;

• support the projects’ field procurement actions by identifying the types and specifications of goods, works and services to be procured by the FAO and/or the targeted beneficiaries, conducting the required market investigations, verifying the cost of investments, supporting the timely and quality delivery of inputs, works, and services, assisting the evaluation of capacity (ex-ante) and quality of work (ex-post) of related suppliers and contractors and other related tasks as required;

• formulate and follow up on the implementation of the investment support agreements with the projects’ beneficiaries based on the identified and approved business development needs and investment plans in agreement and consultation with the beneficiaries and related partners;

• conduct regular and systematic field visits to monitor and verify the implementation and utilization of in-kind and capacity development support for the projects. Verify, certify, and report the achievement of milestones and results using the tools and procedures outlined in the projects’ implementation and operational documents, including the operational manuals;

• coordinate with the field staff of relevant ministries (Ministry of Agriculture in particular) and other institutions to ensure that field activities are consistent with and complementary to other ongoing agricultural projects;

• provide continuous on-demand support and advice to the beneficiaries and partners;

• assist in the preparation of project reports and information material in line with donor requirements and FAO rules and procedures in a timely manner;

• work closely with implementing partner(s)’ field staff to ensure that the projects’ activities are timely and properly coordinated and implemented;

• contribute to feasibility assessments, studies, reviews, etc., as required;

• collect and document good practices, success stories and lessons learned;

• perform other duties as and when requested.

Competencies

FAO Core Competencies:

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards,

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of FAO,

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability,

• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

FAO Functional Competencies:

a) Knowledge Management and Learning,

- Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office,

- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice, areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

b) Operational Effectiveness

- Ability to apply conceptual models in support of formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects,

- Strong IT skills.

c) Management and Leadership

- Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback,

- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude,

- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills,

- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure,

- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

d) Communication Competencies

- Effectively communicates relevant project information to superiors,

- Delivers engaging, informative and well-organized presentations,

- Demonstrated ability to work in a team, and interpersonal skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A University degree in Business administration, Economics, Engineering disciplines, Fishery, Rural development, Social sciences, Agriculture, biological or environment sciences, or other related fields.

Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in implementing projects in the field of rural development, agricultural development or related fields.

• Field experience in coordinating and liaising with rural communities.

• Familiarity with the local agri-food sector, inputs and products market.

Language Requirements:

Working knowledge of spoken and written Arabic and English.

TO APPLY:

APPLICATIONS WITHOUT THE COMPLETED UNDP P-11 FORM WILL BE TREATED AS INCOMPLETE AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

UNDP P11 form (new Personal History form) (google.com). Kindly ensure to upload both CV and P-11 as one document as the system will only allow one attachment.