National Project Specialist for “Reducing COVID-19 Related Food Insecurity in the Pacific Region” project

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) is located in Apia, Samoa and covers 14 Pacific Island countries. The project “Reducing COVID-19 Related Food Insecurity in the Pacific Region” is funded by the Government of Canada for a two-year period and includes five Pacific Island countries (Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Niue, Palau and the Solomon Islands).

The project includes the following three outcomes:

Outcome 1: Enhanced COVID-19 impact analysis, including rapid gender analysis to identify gender gaps, to inform gender-sensitive national and regional response plans, strategies, policies and actions.

Outcome 2: Strengthened household gender-sensitive agriculture production and resources management for more resilient to disasters in the selected countries.

Outcome 3: Strengthened national and regional coordination on gender-sensitive food security and agriculture in the Pacific.

Reporting Lines

The National Project Specialist will be placed under the overall supervision of the FAO Subregional Coordinator (SRC) for the Pacific and directly report to the Project Manager of “Reducing COVID-19 Related Food Insecurity in the Pacific Region” project. He/she will also liaise with the project’s Lead Technical Officer (LTO), FAO Emergency and Resilience Expert, regional Pacific Food Security Cluster Coordinator and other technical, operational and administrative Colleagues.

Technical Focus

The role of the National Project Specialist is to ensure effective implementation of the project activities in the Solomon Islands, utilising effectively the resources assigned to the project.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Project Specialist will have the following tasks and undertake the responsibilities as indicated:

• Preparing a detailed work plan for project activities in the Solomon Islands/Area of Operation (AO) in coordination with national counterparts and guidance from the Project Officer and LTO;
• Contributing to the identification of potential consultants and contractors;
• Contributing to the drafting and review of TORs for consultants and contractors, Letters of Agreements and Service Contracts;
• Advising on technical specifications for procurement of equipment, inputs and materials;
• Advising on potential exit strategy for field activities in reference of crops production, livestock and natural resources management;
• Operationalizing the nexus between humanitarian/emergency/short-term relief and sustainable/longer-period development;
• Organizing, facilitating, leading and/or attending national meetings, forums and workshops;
• Monitoring project activities and outputs progress in the AO and alerting of potential binding constraints potentially impacting on timely implementation;
• Providing inputs on field activity best practices and lessons learnt to be shared as communication first-hand notes;
• Maintaining regular coordination and communication with project partners’ personnel in charge of project activities;
• Preparing quality and timely narrative progress reports while utilizing inputs from partners and stakeholders;
• Providing updates to Project personnel, including SAP SRC, SAP programme team, Emergency and Resilience Expert and Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT) on progress, upon request;
• Providing technical guidance and support to international and national experts, government counterparts and partners in the activity implementation in respect of their TORs in the AO;
• Conducting regular field missions within the Solomon Islands to monitor whilst ensuring smooth implementation of activities;
• Engaging and acting as Focal Point within the national Food Security Cluster on project activities, but not limited to;
• Providing field technical assistance and training activities at country level/AO;
• Other relevant duties required by the supervisors in supporting the project implementation in the Solomon Islands/AO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum requirements

The Candidates will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• Relevant and recognized degree in International Development Studies, Food Security, Agriculture, Fisheries, Gender Studies, Economics, Political Sciences, or other relevant field.
• Mandatory minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in the development and research sector, including supporting or managing initiatives in food security/livelihoods as crops production, market development, livestock, fisheries, natural resources management and nutrition;
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.
• National of the Solomon Islands.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

• Experience with FAO or other UN agency is considered favorably;
• Proactiveness and problem-solving behavior;
• Competency and experience in establishing and maintaining partnerships with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs and donors;
• Ability to travel frequently within the Solomon Islands/AO to project sites (contingent on any COVID-19 travel restrictions);
• Excellent oral and written skills in English.

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.