Field Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that all people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members – 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide and has started working in Vietnam since 1978 with its Representation (Country Office) opened in Hanoi.

FAO VN is launching the 4-year project ‘Smart Agro-ecological Transformation of Farming Systems towards Resilience and Sustainability in Middle and Coastal Zones of the Viet Nam Mekong Delta’ (STAR-FARM) project, with support from the EU. The project aims to create an enabling environment for the establishment of sustainable value chains in the Mekong Delta, based on agroecological approaches. FAO will take the management and coordination role in the consortium implementing the project. Besides FAO, the project consortium composed of five research institutions including VAAS, IPSARD, CIRAD, IRD and CTU, under the leadership of the Government (MARD). 

FAO VN is looking for a qualified Field coordinator based in one of the following four provinces in the Mekong Delta: Can Tho, Tra Vinh, Kien Giang or Dong Thap to support, coordinate and oversight the field works performed by FAO and the five consortium members under the framework of STAR-FARM project.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under overall supervision of FAO Representative, direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), technical supervision by the Lead Technical Officer and day-to-day supervision by the National Project Coordinator of STAR-FARM Project. 

Technical Focus

The Field Coordinator will be responsible for providing technical support and coordination of all project- related field activities and events performed either by project’s donor, PMU, FAO or any of the five project’s consortium members, as well as monitoring and reporting to supervisors and the project team at FAO to ensure that all field works are supported and facilitated in a timely and efficient manner.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Field Coordinator will work closely with project team of FAO and other consortium member, project beneficiaries, local government agencies of the selected project sites and other stakeholders to ensure the project's objectives are met. The Field Coordinator will perform all, but not limited to, the following tasks:

•    Coordinate and collect inputs from all relevant project stakeholder to develop the project’s field-work periodical workplans in accordance with the project’s overall workplan;
•    Coordinate and facilitate the administrative procedures at provincial level to obtain permission for project activities and the work of international staff  in the field;
•    Support the implementation of all project activities performed on the field by FAO, five consortium members and related stakeholders;
•    Research and identify similar initiatives/programmes/activities implemented other projects/donors in the same project’s areas and set up mutual meeting/discussions to discuss collaboration and find synergies;
•    Coordinate with other active stakeholders in the project provinces and the VMD and provide advice on potential overlapping of field activities and ensure synergies among various effort of all project’s related stakeholders;
•    Monitor project field-work progress and actively discuss on the various implementation and coordination issues with FAO and other related stakeholders;
•    Support the organization of workshops, trainings, field trip, donor visits and various types of meetings at provinces including logistic and permission arrangement, coordination and cooperation with all the field level stakeholders;
•    Regularly liaise and update to local government agencies, and other stakeholders on the project progress and any issues that may arise;
•    Contribute to periodical operational and other reports of the project;
•    Perform other tasks as assigned;

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  
  
•    A bachelor's university degree in agriculture, agribusiness, or a related field.
•    At least 5 years of experience in agricultural development, preferably in a field-based role.
•    Working knowledge in the English and Vietnamese
•    National of Vietnamese

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Work experience with inter-governemental bodies and multi-disciplinary teams;
•    Work experience in development sector and at the field level;
•    Work experience with UN system, FAO in particular is an advantage;
•    Computer literacy in standard office software and proficiency in project management tools and software
•    Good knowledge of agricultural production systems and practices, particularly in the project's focus areas

Selection Criteria

•    Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with different stakeholders in a multicultural setting, with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
•    Excellent command of English including proven writing and reporting skills

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION