Project Manager (International Consultant)

Overview

Manage project to improve food security and agribusiness in Palestine.

You have:

• University degree in Development Studies, Economics, Business Administration, International Relations, Agricultural Sciences or other relevant field.
• At least five years of experience in project management, preferably managing complex multi-component projects in the field of agriculture, value chain and agribusiness development.
• Working knowledge of English Language and limited knowledge of one of the other languages of the organization (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian).

Organizational Setting

FAO’s Coordination Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS) Programme assists the Palestinian Government to formulate and implement policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. The incumbent will manage a new project entitled “Promoting Market-oriented Investments and Innovations for Sustainable Agri-food System Development” (GCP/GAZ/023/MUL), which seeks to enable the Palestinian agribusiness to generate better income, trade and welfare following innovative approaches towards more market-oriented, competitive and inclusive and sustainable agribusiness. The project will intervene in all stages of the value chain to achieve the following two outcomes: (i) sustainably improved income, labour productivity, and climate-smart innovations in agribusiness with a particular focus on women and youth; (ii) strengthened inclusive public policies and investments toward the achievement of SDG2 in Palestine.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO WBGS Head of Office, the direct supervision of the FAO WBGS Head of Programme, and in close collaboration with other relevant personnel, the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) in the FAO regional office for technical guidance and clearances, as well as the project’s partners, the Project Manager will ensure the timely and quality implementation of the project performing specific tasks.

Technical Focus

Timely and quality implementation of project activities ensuring effective delivery of project outputs.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Establish and maintain close collaboration and working arrangements with national/international staff, experts and support personnel and provide day to day support and guidance as needed • Coordinate, prepare, update and manage the project workplan, including information on planned deployment of short-term expertise and procurement actions, and monitor its implementation consistent with FAO rules and procedures, donor requirements and political/security constraints; • Ensure implementation of and compliance with the established procedure to administer investment support in response to calls for applications; • Keep track of the main milestones and activities and deliverables, with regards to the gender/age/geographical considerations in the outreach activities of the project and lead immediate corrective actions with the project team and implementing partners to ensure effective and timely participation (with focus on women, youth and target communities in Gaza). • Overview beneficiary selection and follow up processes to ensure compliance with the criteria and manage the scoring and ranking of the applications for investment support; • Ensure timely delivery of services by consultants, suppliers, contractors and implementing partners (NGOs and UN organizations); • Maintain effective relationships with and ensure the buy-in of project partners and stakeholders including private sector organizations and identify and develop opportunities for partnership where possible; • Organize, and prepare background information and updates on project progress (including achievements and bottlenecks) for regular project meetings including those of the Joint Technical Committee and Project Steering Committee; • Prepare project progress reports in line with donor requirements and FAO rules and procedures in a timely manner; • Ensure visibility of project activities and achievements in close collaboration with the Reporting and Communications Consultant and donors; • Take lead in handling the agreements following the project log frame, with the implementing partners including managing the agreements for results, reviewing, and clearing the monitoring reports from implementing partners and certifying requests for payments in compliance with FAO’s rules and regulations; • Contribute to the formulation of concept notes and/or project documents for relevant or follow up projects. • Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Development Studies, Economics, Business Administration, International Relations, Agricultural Sciences or other relevant field. • At least five years of experience in project management, preferably managing complex multi component projects in the field of agriculture, value chain and agribusiness development . • Working knowledge of English Language and limited knowledge of one of the other languages of the organization (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian). For PSA.SBS the working knowledge of only one language is required.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Well versed with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, email applications and ability to conduct Internet-based research. • Ability to travel across the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Selection Criteria

• Extent and relevance of experience in project management including work planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and reporting. • Extent of experience in managing multi stakeholders partnerships and coordinating and liaising with private sector, national authorities, UN, donors and nongovernmental national and international organizations. • Demonstrated experience working in complex environments. Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable. • Knowledge of international development architecture including the UN System, NGOs etc. is desirable and understanding of FAO policies and programmes is an asset. • Demonstrated ability to work in a team, and interpersonal skills. • Demonstrated ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize tasks.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org