Programme Specialist

Organizational Setting:

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is mandated to build a world where everyone has access to safe, nutritious food. FAO Mongolia program currently supports the Government of Mongolia and other stakeholders in pursuit of those objectives and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in Mongolia through technical cooperation in promoting (i) improved access to adequate, affordable, nutritious and healthy food, (ii) sustainable improvements of crop and livestock productivity, (iii) strengthening of agricultural value chains including development of export-oriented livestock production, (iv) sustainable natural resource management, and (v) building resilient food systems in Mongolia.

Reporting Lines:

The Programme Specialist works under the direct supervision of the FAOR and Assistant FAO Representative in Mongolia.

Technical Focus:

The Program Specialist will work as a member of Program team responsible for program development, monitoring and reporting. The Programme Specialist will also provide program support to ongoing projects.

Tasks and responsibilities:

1. Develop program directions based on ongoing projects from FAO Mongolia, the government priorities as well development partner priorities and pipelines.
2. Periodically monitor the progress of ongoing projects and regular program activities and promote partnerships / collaborations etc. to generate synergies, reduce implementation costs and maximize impact; identify inconsistencies and delays and, when necessary, propose corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
3. Identify resource mobilization and partnership opportunities and actively participate in RM and partnership building
4. Plan and implement program activities and campaigns within FAO mandate (for example., development of knowledge products, capacity building activities, various educational and visibility campaigns etc.)
5. Corporate work planning and reporting
6. Establish close linkages with other UN agencies and national and international partners and participate in joint UN activities
7. Contribute, substantively, to communication and visibility activities of FAO Mongolia
8. Facilitate smooth flow of information across projects, operations and technical teams
9. Any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in development studies, natural resources, agriculture or a related field;
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in project/programme development, planning, implementation and appraisal, as well as in the development and use of results-based management and monitoring systems;
• Proficient in Mongolian and English;
• Nationality of Mongolia or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of people, including farmers, government counterparts and project key staff. Excellent team player with proven track record of working with multistakeholder community
• Ability to represent the components at various meetings and fora
• Ability to write clearly and concisely in English on technical level
• At least five years of international experience
• Familiarity with livestock systems in Asia and preferably good understanding of animal health sector in Mongolia
• Experience in the government or UN system is an asset

• Excellent planning and organizing skills, accurate with attention to detail

• In-depth knowledge of administrative, operational, fiduciary and financial procedures related to 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;

Selection Criteria

• Advanced university degree;
• Relevant Work experience;
• Language skills;