Program Specialist (Desert & Locust)

Organizational Setting

The key mission of the FAO Representation in Somalia, which is led by FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist and support the national government to develop policies, strategies and programme aimed at accelerating the Implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the area of FAO's global mandate and Strategic Objectives. More specifically, FAO's response aims to address national needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, developing agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources and respond to recurrent emergencies. The current portfolio of activities of the FAO Representation in Somalia includes a wide scope of technical support interventions ranging from policy support through livestock and crop production, to natural resource management, Nutrition, value chain, food security analysis and water and land information management. FAO is also implementing several emergency, resilience-building, and development interventions, with the support of its five field offices and close to 400 staff in partnership with the Federal and State line ministries.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Somalia and general supervision of Head of Programme and under direct supervision of Agriculture Sector Coordinator.

Technical Focus

The Program Specialist (Desert & Locust) will support the development, implementation and monitoring of programmes and strategies for the sustainable management of Desert Locusts in Somalia.

Tasks and responsibilities

· Provide technical support and oversee field operations through direct contact with Desert Locust (DL) field teams and implementing partners. · Provide technical support to the Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) teams to ensure the Desert Locust activities are in line with various donor requirements including World Bank, the European Union and USAID funded projects. · Prepare briefs and comprehensive reports for submission to donors and/or for corporate use as required. · Provide day-to-day management of various Desert Locust projects activities to ensure they are in line with the project work plan and logical framework. · Consolidate technical reports from Ministries of Agriculture both at federal and state level and other implementing partners to facilitate the Desert Locust operations in the field. · Identify gaps/needs in Desert Locust management initiatives and support development of concept notes and project proposals prepared by the sector to source for funding in line with the needs and gaps. · Develop and implement a capacity-building program for laboratory teams to support the delivery of Desert Locust control operations in close consultation with technical teams. · Work closely with Operations team to review project deliverables against the budget. · Work closely with M&E, Compliance and Operations teams to review Letter of Understanding and Letter of Agreement reports and closure of these agreements in timely manner. · Prepare technical specifications for procurement actions, identify the implementing partners through various tendering processes under the project and ensure delivery of goods and services on time. · Prepare, monitor and manage Letters of Understanding and Letters of Agreement /contracts with partners related to project implementation. · Represent the Organization at interagency meetings and other fora on matters related to FAO's operational and programmatic approaches in Somalia. · Regularly visit program/project sites and monitor activities to ensure they are in line with agreed outputs and in compliance with FAO Standard Operating Procedure as well as donor compliance standards (WB/EU/BHA). · Work closely with M&E to ensure baseline, mid and end line assessments of projects are carried out as planned. · Perform any other duties, as directed by the Head of Programme.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture, crop science, agronomy, plant science or a related field. • Five years of relevant experience in Desert Locust survey and control operations as well as pest management in agriculture setting. • Working knowledge (level C) of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian for COF.REG. Working knowledge of English level C for PSA.SBS.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

· Professional experience in Desert Locust management operations preferably in FAO-managed operations. · Demonstrate experience in Desert Locust’s Letters of Understanding and Letters of Agreement/contracts management. · Experience in managing the World Bank, the EU and USAID projects. · Experience in the preparation of donor reports especially for the World Bank, the EU and USAID. · Experience in preparation of technical specifications for goods and services required for DL operations. · Experience in reviewing project budgets against planned activities. · Experience in working in a laboratory setting and in use of laboratory equipment. · Experience in training various stakeholders. · Experience in working with diverse sets of stakeholders. · Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.