National Technical Coordinator

Organizational Setting

FAO Representation in Sierra Leone implements an integrated food security programme, focusing on diversification of livelihoods, managing natural resources and building resilience. The office employs diverse team of experts locally, but also attracts the available technical experts from the region and the Head Quarters (HQ). FAO works in close partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, farmers and other stakeholders, supporting plans and policies that affect the food and nutrition security in the country; our work is part of the corporate commitment to support countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, especially SDG 2 on Zero Hunger.

Reporting Lines

Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative in Sierra Leone, the project technical coordinator will be technically supervised by the Assistant FAOR (in charge of programme) in close collaboration with the FAO technical colleagues in the sub-regional office for West Africa.

Technical Focus

The National Technical Coordinator should work with the objective of assuring efficient, smooth and timely implementation of the project and the timely achievement of the project outputs as per FAO standard and donor requirements. Provide programmatic and technical expertise needed to manage the project across the eights district. He/she is also responsible for the submission of high-quality project reports in a timely and coordinated manner to the FSRP PMU for onwards submission to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS).

Tasks and responsibilities

• Undertake responsibility for the overall day-to-day management of the project technical package, including development of annual work plans, coordination of procurement actions, financial management, monitoring of implementation, etc. • Timely compilation and submit project financial, quarterly, six monthly and terminal reports to FSRP PMU, • In collaboration with MAFS and FAO SFW technical colleagues, coordinate all technical trainings as agreed upon in the project document, • Work with the SFW technical team to develop the cash for work modalities and coordinate the roll out process to the direct beneficiaries, • Lead in carrying out all operational related functions such as budget revision (if needed), management of the FAO cooperate systems related to the project, initiation of procurement, etc.. in the emergency context to speed up delivery, • Support and coordinate the development of training materials including the roll out process, • Provide advisory and technical support to the two- technical components on daily basis considering the expectation in accelerating the achievement of the project goals, • Work with the FAO technical units in the development of technical specifications for all procurement actions in line with FAO policy and procedure, • Coordinate potential service providers using FAO technical guides by ensuring the best value for money and quality, • Identify emerging risks in/to the technical package and, in collaboration with the Assistant FAOR(in changer of programme) and the SFW technical team, find sustainable solutions, without incurring inordinate costs on the implementation, • Supervise project staff and assist to document good lessons during implementation for possible scale up, • Facilitate and organize stakeholders’ meetings to discuss and exchange ideas on project issues and its relevance, • Work the FSRP PMU M&E unit to harmonize the beneficiary data management platform for the project, • Perform other tasks requested by the FAO Representative.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in Agriculture, Agricultural economics, Rural Engineering, Natural Resources management, or any other related field, • At least six years’ experience in agricultural livelihood project management. Experience in managing UN projects mostly on Inland Valley Swamps (IVS) and Livestock management initiatives is considered an added advantage, • Working knowledge of English (level C), • National of Sierra Leone.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Skills and Abilities:

• Experience working within a UN/International agency and especially joint projects in a livelihood context would be an asset; • Good planning and time management skills is critical; • Ability to supervise, manage and support to field activities of the project; • Ability to multi-task; • Experience in providing coordination support with stake holders and other community based organizations; • Ability to manage trainings and capacity building programme of the project; • Experience in analysing institutional operations, systems and processes; • Knowledge and skills in socio–cultural analysis of Sierra Leone; • Experience in mainstreaming gender equality within programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; • Relevance and extent of knowledge and experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multi-disciplinary teams; • Experience liaising with government staff and officials, development partners, NGOs and the private sector players; • Experience in managing emergency livelihood initiatives can be added advantage; • Experience in managing short term youths employment program, training material development and roll out; • Experience conducting needs assessment and documenting lessons during implementation; • Ability to manage efficiently and work in team setting with high sense of confidentiality and flexibility; • Ability to operate within a fast-moving environment and react appropriately to change; • Ability to respond to emergency shocks and resilient building in the food system along the selected value chains; • Excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, high regard for accuracy and top-quality work; • Excellent drafting, communication and reporting skills, and the ability to present information in clear and concise manner.

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.