National Project Personnel – Project Management

Organizational Setting:

Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO efforts – to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The FAO-GEF partnership addresses critical challenges at the nexus between agriculture and the environment. FAO has a history of partnership with the Government of Mongolia (GoM), to eradicate poverty and malnutrition through the development of the agriculture sector. It has also been an active partner of the government in protecting the environment,promoting sustainable development and the disaster risk management strategies of the country.

The project “Promoting Dryland Sustainable Landscapes and Biodiversity Conservation in the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia” is part of a global program led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN-FAO), the Global Environment Facility 7th replenishment (GEF-7) Sustainable Forest Management Impact Program on Dryland Sustainable Landscapes (SFM/Drylands IP). In Mongolia, the project is led by FAO in partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and will be executed by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) in collaboration with the Ministry of Food agriculture and light industry (MoFALI) and other partners.

Reporting Lines:

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and the Representative of WWF Mongolia Program office, under the technical supervision of the lead technical officer (LTO) of FAO and in close liaison with the AFAOR and AHEC programme manager-WWF Mongolia and conservation, communication, operational and admin staff of the FAO and WWF, the NPP (Project Management) will be in charge of daily implementation, management, administration and technical supervision of the project, on behalf of the Project Steering Committee (PSC).

Technical Focus:

The objective of the project is to reverse and prevent dryland ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss through an inclusive, integrated landscape and value chain approach securing multiple environment benefits and sustainable, resilient livelihoods in the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia. The NPP (Project Management) works under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and the Representative of WWF Mongolia Program office, under the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) of FAO.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Serve the overall technical and operational lead to the project; responsible for the project--its coordination, operations, deliverables, ownership and sustainability-- as the project’s primary focal point.
• Overall technical lead for the implementation of all project outputs and activities and ensure technical soundness of project implementation;
• The effective coordination and close monitoring of the implementation of project activities including cooperation with the Global Coordination Project;
• Supervise preparation of various technical outputs, e.g. knowledge products, reports and case studies, inputs to publications including at the global level;
• Lead, monitor and document the implementation of the system-wide capacity development measures in line with the Capacity Development Report;
• Working from the agreed upon baseline, carefully track the project’s progress and ensuring timely delivery of inputs and outputs;
• Overall responsibility for ensuring compliance with FAO Safeguards and WWF’s Environment and Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures;
• Providing technical support and assessing the outputs of the project national consultants hired with GEF funds, as well as the products generated in the implementation of the project;
• Coordination with relevant initiatives, developing synergies supporting the project;
• Ensuring a high level of collaboration (and ownership) among participating institutions and organizations at the national and local levels;
• Ensuring effective engagement of and by stakeholders in the project;
• Ensuring compliance with all sub-agreements to project partners provisions during the implementation, including on timely reporting and financial management;
• Manage requests for provision of financial resources using provided format in sub-agreement annexes;
• Monitoring financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
• Ensuring timely preparation and submission of requests for funds, financial and progress reports to FAO and WWF Mongolia as per reporting requirements;
• Maintaining documentation and evidence that describes the proper and prudent use of project resources as per sub-agreement provisions, including making available this supporting documentation to FAO and WWF and designated auditors when requested;
• Implementing and managing the project’s monitoring and communications plans;
• Organizing project workshops and meetings to monitor progress and preparing the Annual Budget and Work Plan;
• Submitting the six-monthly Project Progress Reports (PPRs) with the AWP/B to the PSC, FAO and WWF GEF Agency;
• Preparing the first draft of the Project Implementation Review (PIR);
• Coordinate the implementation of the safeguard and gender action plan in close collaboration with the Safeguards and Gender Specialist(s);
• Supporting the organization of the mid-term and terminal evaluations in close coordination with the FAO Budget Holder, the FAO Independent Office of Evaluation (OED), and WWF GEF Agency; Facilitate recruitment of national and international consultants in line with the needs for the project as articulated by the project stakeholders, monitor and supervise the work of consultants, ensure linkages with technical backstopping, and facilitate clearances of reports;
• Lead the development of communication messages and knowledge/communication products, in collaboration with other PMU staff, including photo and video stories based on good practices / outcomes from the project;
• In collaboration with other PMU staff, FAO and WWF, prepare and implement a communication and visibility plan with reference to the GEF, FAO and WWF Guidelines incorporating latest communication channels including website and social media;
• Prepare and submit the six-monthly technical and financial reports to FAO and WWF and facilitate the information exchange between the Lead Executing Agency, the PMU, FAO and WWF, if needed;
• Prepare Project Preparation Grant (PPG) completion report
• Inform the PSC, FAO and WWF of any delays and difficulties as they arise during the implementation to ensure timely corrective measure and support;
• This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.
• The NPM shall maintain internal (in-country) working relationships with relevant partners for exchange of information, hold discussions and coordinate activities only within the framework of this project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agriculture and environment sciences, natural resource management or a related fields of study;
• Ten years of relevant experience in technical cooperation-related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to agriculture, environment and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes;
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian
• Nationality of Mongolia.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in management of large technical assistance programs/projects including management of staff;
• Extent and relevance of experience in policy advice and analysis relating to agriculture, environment/natural resources and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes and/or providing technical support and advice on institutional capacity building processes;
• High level advocacy and communication skills and ability to disseminating of results and sharing knowledge;
• Demonstrated capability in establishing and maintaining partnerships with government institutions and agencies, NGOs as well as donors;
• Extent and relevance of experience in organizing multi stakeholders’ meetings, seminars and capacity development events;
• Experience in the government or UN system is an asset
• Excellent planning and organizing skills, accurate with attention to detail
• In-depth knowledge of programme and project management is considered a strong asset;
• High computer literacy in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, Outlook etc).
• Demonstrated ability to process complex data and analyze information as the basis for technical and policy advice and mastery of subject matter, teamwork and strong soft skills including interpersonal, ethical, listening and communication skills, proactive, problem solving, self-organizing, planning, setting priorities and efficient use of time;

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
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/