Programme Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO's Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing sub-regional food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with sub region-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Sub-regional Office is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) The SLC is located in Barbados and is responsible for Barbados and the OECS (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines).

Reporting Lines

The Programme Specialist will work under and report to the FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean region in his/her role of FAO Representative (FAOR), and in close coordination of the Administrative Officer and Field Programme Support and Monitoring Officer, the Programme Officer assist in the coordination of the technical and operational support of the programme and project activities of the FAO Representation in Barbados and OECS (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines) in the areas of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, nutrition and rural development; ensuring the implementation of the FAO Framework through the Strategic Objectives and Regional Initiatives

Technical Focus

The Programme Specialist will facilitate a more direct and responsive presence of FAO in the Caribbean Sub region and perform a variety of programmatic, monitoring, communication, information gathering, and logistics functions in support of FAO related activities towards the achievement sustainable development and eradication of rural poverty in CARICOM countries.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate assigned programme/projects.

• Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitor and analyze programme/project development and implementation;
• Review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions;
• Assist in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, etc.;
• Prepare various written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.;
• Undertake outreach activities; conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned from time to time.
• Assist the FAOR/SRC in liaising and cooperating with Government authorities and with local, national and international institutions in the areas of FAO’s activities in Barbados and the countries of the OECS.
• Monitor the implementation of projects across Barbados and the OECS in close collaboration with National Correspondent and liaise with relevant Lead Technical Officer to resolve bottlenecks in implementation
• Serve as the Lead Technical Consultant as required for selected projects
• Support the development and implementation of national and sub-regional projects and other activities in coordination with the FAO country offices in the Caribbean
• Support FAO Corporate Regional work planning and reporting exercises in close collaboration with the Regional Office in Santiago, Chile
• Assist the FAOR/SRC in liaising with the other UN Agencies based in Barbados and the Resident Coordinator’s Office with respect to the preparation, monitoring and reporting of the Multi-country Sustainable Development Framework (MSDF).

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture or related field

• Five years of relevant experience in agricultural development

• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO official languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) for Consultants. Working knowledge of English for PSA.SBS

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Team Work

• Communication

• Building effective relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in project or programme management, administration or related area

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable

• Extent and relevance of experience in Agricultural development

• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation

• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset

• Ability to work and interact in a multi-cultural environment.