Project Coordinator/Specialist

Ensure successful project management and implementation

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FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

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Application deadline 5 years ago: Friday 25 Jun 2021 at 21:59 UTC

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Overview

Ensure successful project management and implementation

You have:

  • University degree in environmental science, biodiversity, environmental policy, biotechnology or related subject for biosafety issues
  • At least 5 years of relevant experience in progressive experience in project analysis, coordination, management and implementation
  • Working knowledge of French and limited knowledge of English or Spanish

Organizational Setting

The project “Sustainable management of wooded production landscapes for biodiversity conservation” will generate major biodiversity, sustainable land management and collateral gender-sensitive socioeconomic/livelihood benefits by enhancing conditions and capacities among farmers in the North, North-East and Artibonite Departments of Haiti to manage BD-friendly, sustainable and economically viable tree-based production systems (diversified cacao, coffee and home gardens). The project has three components (Component 1: Creation of enabling conditions for application and scaling-up of landscape management model; Component 2: Conservation compatible tree-based production systems as part of sustainable landscape mosaics; Component 3: Knowledge management and learning). The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) through its biodiversity portfolio funds the project; UNDP will be the Implementing Agency and FAO will be the Executing Agency.

Reporting Lines

The consultant will work under the general supervision of the FAO Representative in Haiti (FAOR) and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Programme) and with the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) at the Sub-Regional Office for Mesoamerica (SLM) and in collaboration with relevant technical divisions at FAOHQ, and in close consultation with the National Project Director (NPD) from the MdE and the Project Task Force (PTF) the PM will provide technical orientation and backup in order to ensure the delivery of project outputs to a high standard, and in a cost effective manner, taking into account national and international best practices and results, and in accordance with FAO, Government and GEF norms.

Technical Focus

The Consultant will be responsible for ensuring that project outputs and targets are met as per project framework that activities are carried out as planned, within budget and time schedule and that reporting, monitoring and evaluation functions are carried out as per project requirements. The PM will also work in close coordination with the NPD, international and national technical consultants and other project staff. She/he will plan and implement project activities in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and other relevant state and non-state stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the project.

Tasks and responsibilities

Planning, implementation and management of Project activities:

  • Provide overall guidance to, and supervision of, the PMU to identify, plan, design implement and monitor the progress of delivery of activities as itemised in the results-based work plan;
  • Provide day-to-day administrative and management inputs to the project team assuring smooth implementation of the project;
  • Help identify Technical Specialist/Consultant candidates and work with the LTO/LTU and the BH to ensure their timely recruitment
  • Support NPD in maintaining communication and coordinating with other institutions in order to identify and realize opportunities for complementarity and synergies, including monitoring and oversight of co-financing commitments;
  • Ensure a results-based approach to project implementation, including maintaining a focus on project results and impact as defined by the project results framework indicators;
  • Regularly promote the project and its outputs and findings on a national, and where appropriate, regional stage;
  • Lead interactions with stakeholders and liaise with government agencies and communicate, regularly advocate and engage in policy dialogue on behalf of the project;
  • Advise the NPD on the development and implementation of sustainability/exit strategies for the project in order to ensure that its impact s are sustained, further developed and replicated after the withdrawal of the GEF support;
  • Facilitate interdisciplinary inputs from partner institutions and agencies

2. Human and Material Resources Management and Coordination

  • Establish and manage PMU and all PMU staff and all consultants ensuring they fully understand their role and tasks
  • Provide administrative and management/supervisory support to long and short term Technical Specialists/Consultants to ensure timely delivery;
  • Create strategic partnerships with MdE related to the project and coordinate and network with various stakeholders to take forward the project;
  • Ensure that the project team follows up on the adoption/implementation of the recommendations/inputs provided by Technical Consultants;
  • Coordinate with the Government counterpart and various stakeholders for effective coordination and dialogue in the field of biosafety
  • Provide administrative and coordination support to FAO Project monitoring missions, donor missions and project evaluators;
  • Managing the procurement process in accordance with FAO rules and procedures.
  • Maintain harmonious and diplomatic relationships with the Haitian counterparts

3. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

    • Preparation of the Annual Working plan (AWP) to be approved by the Project Steering Committee
    • Oversee preparation and implementation of project M&E plan, project communication and knowledge management plan
    • Hold periodic PMU meetings and other events to ensure that project is on track;
    • Act as the Secretary to the Project Steering Committee, organize and coordinate the meetings, preparation of agenda and minutes and of Project Steering Committee Meetings;
    • Prepare results based regular reports, annual reports, donor reports and briefs and be responsible for the elaboration of FAO PPRs and the annual GEF PIR;
    • Facilitate the submission of timely project implementation reviews and progress reports (narrative and financial) to the FAO Country Offices against the Programme M&E framework;
    • Facilitate and support the Mid-Term Review (MTR) and Project Terminal Evaluation (PTE) and conduct annual project reviews and annual audits Undertake field visits to monitor Project activities;
    • Facilitate effective communication of project progress to the Project Steering Committee related to the project

4. Undertake any other tasks assigned or relevant in support of efficient implementation of the project

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

  • University degree in environmental science, biodiversity, environmental policy, biotechnology or related subject for biosafety issues
  • At least 5 years of relevant experience in progressive experience in project analysis, coordination, management and implementation
  • Working knowledge of French and limited knowledge of English or Spanish for COF.REG. Working knowledge of French is sufficient in the case of PSA.SBS.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills within the team as well with external stakeholders

• Proven ability to be flexible in a team-oriented approach with diverse groups of people

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Excellent planning, organizational, multi-task and time management skills

• Strong analytical and constructive thinking skills

• Proven computer skills

Potential interview questions

Can you describe a time when you had to coordinate a project with multiple stakeholders? This assesses your ability to manage relationships and expectations with diverse groups. Discuss how you identified stakeholders' needs, facilitated communication, and achieved a common goal.
What strategies would you implement to ensure project sustainability after initial funding ends? This evaluates your understanding of long-term project planning and sustainability. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple deadlines? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe an experience where you had to collect and analyze project data for reporting. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you approach team dynamics and conflict resolution within a project environment? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org