Project Coordinator

Lead and manage FAO's Technical Assistance under the SWAT Project.

FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

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Application deadline in 7 days: Monday 7 Sep 2026 at 21:59 UTC

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Overview

Lead and manage FAO's Technical Assistance under the SWAT Project.

You have:

  • University degree in Agriculture Engineering or Water Resources Management
  • Minimum 12 years of relevant experience in the field of water conservation, agriculture productivity and Irrigation Rehabilitation and Modernization Project
  • Working knowledge of English
  • National of Pakistan

Organizational Setting

FAO is providing Technical Assistance to the Government of Sindh under the Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation (SWAT) Project. The objective of the FAO Technical Assistance is to provide specialized, demand-driven technical support to the Government of Sindh and its institutions to facilitate effective implementation of the SWAT Project.

The Technical Assistance covers water policy and institutional reforms, irrigation modernization, agriculture incentives and investments, climate-smart agriculture, flood emergency response, project management, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, coordination and knowledge sharing. FAO also supports coordination among the SWAT implementing institutions, the World Bank and other partners, while seeking synergies between SWAT and FAO programmes and interventions in Sindh.

The Project Manager will provide overall management, coordination and technical oversight of FAO's Technical Assistance under UTF/PAK/178. The position will be based at the PCMU in Karachi and will work closely with the Government of Sindh, including the Planning & Development Department, Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA), Agriculture Department and Agriculture Delivery Unit (ADU), as well as the World Bank and other relevant stakeholders.

The following position is SB4-SC9.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Pakistan (FAOR) and the direct supervision of the International Programme Coordinator in Sindh, the incumbent will work closely and collaborate with the District Team Leader, sectoral specialists and the project team in performing the following tasks and duties:

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be responsible for the effective delivery of the FAO Technical Assistance Contract, ensuring that all technical deliverables, activities, consultants and project resources are appropriately planned, coordinated, monitored and delivered to a high standard and within agreed timelines. He/She will provide both overall project management and senior technical oversight across the water, irrigation and agriculture components of the TA, ensuring coherence between different streams of technical assistance and alignment with the priorities and implementation needs of the SWAT Project.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the implementation of the FAO Technical Assistance under the SWAT Project, ensuring timely delivery of agreed activities, outputs and results. • Provide overall project management, including work planning, assist operations team in budgeting, implementation monitoring, risk management and coordination of project activities. • Provide senior technical oversight across water resources management, irrigation modernization, water policy and institutional reforms, agriculture investments, climate-smart agriculture and flood emergency response. • Coordinate and supervise national and international consultants and technical specialists, ensuring quality, timely delivery and compliance with agreed TORs and workplans. • Review and provide quality assurance for technical studies, assessments, designs, policy documents, reports and other project outputs. • Maintain close coordination with PCMU, P&DD, SIDA, ADU, Agriculture and Irrigation Departments, the World Bank and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate effective project implementation. • Oversee monitoring and evaluation of project progress and results, including preparation of progress reports, results framework updates, mission briefs, presentations and other project documentation. • Support the planning and organization of technical meetings, stakeholder consultations, workshops, training, exposure visits and field missions. • Provide technical and coordination support for policy-level engagements, including preparation of concept notes, policy briefs, presentations and inputs for senior government forums. • Facilitate linkages and synergies between SWAT and relevant FAO programmes and interventions in Sindh, including knowledge sharing and documentation of lessons learned. • Support capacity development of government counterparts and partner institutions and promote effective transfer of technical knowledge. • Identify implementation challenges, risks and emerging technical needs, and recommend appropriate corrective actions and solutions. • Ensure compliance with FAO procedures, contractual requirements, reporting obligations and donor requirements, and undertake other duties assigned by FAO Management. • Perform any other duties assigned by FAO Management in support of efficient project implementation.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Agriculture Engineering or Water Resources Management • Minimum 12 years of relevant experience in the field of water conservation, agriculture productivity and Irrigation Rehabilitation and Modernization Project. • Working knowledge of English • National of Pakistan

FAO Core Competencies

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

Functional Skills

• Knowledge of United Nations and International Organizations’ administrative policies and procedures. • Ability to write clear and concise technical documents. • Focus on Project delivery and client satisfaction for technical results and problem-solving • Communicate & coordinate with project team to deliver the project results timely • Strong project management, coordination and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to manage multiple technical workstreams and priorities.

Selection Criteria

• Candidates will be assessed against the requirements listed above • Policy and Strategy Formulation Experience will be an added benefit. • Proficiency of Sindhi language will be an asset

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
  • 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.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe a time when you led a project to completion under tight deadlines? This question assesses your project management and leadership skills under pressure. Discuss a specific project, detailing your role, challenges faced, and how you managed the timeline.
How do you ensure effective stakeholder engagement throughout a project? This question evaluates your communication and coordination skills. Pro members can see the explanation.
What techniques do you use for monitoring and evaluating project progress? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe your experience with climate-smart agriculture initiatives. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you handle conflicts within a project team? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies do you employ to keep a project on budget? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you provide an example of a technical document you have written? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you promote knowledge sharing among project teams? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 7 days ago - Updated 7 hours ago - Source: fao.org