Field Office Coordinator (FOC)

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representative, is to assistant governments to develop policies, programs 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 FAO Representation in South Sudan is organizes in three main units: program, Operations and administration. The current portfolio of projects in South Sudan includes activities related to agriculture (crop), livestock, Fisheries, Natural Resource management, food information systems, which is implemented with humanitarian, transitional and development funding. FAO South Sudan      currently is operating in more than 10 field offices in 10 states of South Sudan, which are headed by Field Office Coordinator (FOC), is to make sure effective programmatic and operational coverage entire the country. The Field Office Coordinator (FOC) is a senior managerial position and will          represent FAO mandates, country operations and strategic objectives. The incumbent carries the full delegated authority of the FAO Representative of the country, who will exercise entire supervisory managerial responsibility over the position.

The Field Office Coordinator (FOC) will be assigned in one of the various field offices of FAO South Sudan.

Reporting Lines

The FOC will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for South Sudan and the direct supervision of the Deputy FAO Representative. The FOC will collaborate with the Programme, Operations and Administrative/Finance Units and work closely with the state Government, sister UN organizations, Non-Governmental Organization and beneficiaries communities

Technical Focus

•    Oversee the implementation of the overall projects interventions in assigned Field Office
•    Overall leadership, management and prompt service delivery to the stakeholders.

Tasks and responsibilities

The FOC will be based in field office with travel to field locations as required. Specifically, the incumbent will: Coordination and Representation at State Level:
•    Establish, develop and maintain effective working relations with key stakeholders on behalf of the FAOR at the state level including sister UN agencies, programs and funds, government institutions, traditional leadership, beneficiary populations and their representatives.
•    Coordinate the day-to-day field level activities in close consultation and cooperation with FAO’s program unit and the relevant program support units while providing continuous support to implementing partners;
•    Foster program coordination, collaborations and colocation with relevant development partners and Support preparation and implementation of events and donor visits.
•    Lead coordination of the Food Security and Livelihood Cluster activities in respective State.

Facilitate and Support to FAO Operations:

•    Ensure health, safety and security protocols are followed at all times, and in consultation with the FAO Security Officer, UNDSS and/or other ASMT members take timely corrective actions as required;
•    Lead, manage, oversee all aspects of supply chain support, including low cost procurement, stock management, asset management, vehicle and equipment renewal, maintenance and repair (including communications and computer
equipment);
•    Control under the auspices of the Finance Officer and budget holder, utilization of funds at the field office including proper management of petty cash and operation advances;
•    Ensure compliance with FAO and donor finance and logistics policies, including all aspects of low cost procurement and asset management;
•    Ensure efficient utilization of allocated financial resources in compliance with FAO policies for achievement of set objectives.
•    Support field staff in the implementation of personnel policies including coaching, performance evaluation, staff development, and disciplinary measures;
•    Effectively manage the Field Office to ensure transparent and efficient people management and the continued development of a cohesive and high performing team.
•    Assist in developing national staff capacity by providing training, opportunities for job shadowing and close follow-up of tasks and
•    Management of both long and short-term NSHR assigned for duty in the state.
•    Participate in interview panels for the recruitment of NSHR personnel.
•    Supervise and manage all personnel at the Field Office. 

Programme/Project implementation

•    Map all FAO interventions the state and ensure synergy and complementarity in the implementation of the programme/projects for increased impact;
•    Prepare detailed area annual work plans in line with the budget/projects and in collaboration with stakeholders, and make necessary   arrangements for their successful implementation in a timely manner;
•    Provide programmatic and technical support and advice to enhance effective project delivery and comply with both FAO rules/regulations and the donor standards as defined in the respective project documents;
•    Conduct regular field visits and on-site mentoring for ongoing project activities and develop knowledge products;
•    Monitor progress of project implementation in relation to annual work plan (timeliness, achievement of project objectives and impact), and implement corrective measures when needed in consultation with the Project Managers;
•    Engage with beneficiaries and ensure gender and protection perspectives are incorporated in all areas of work.
•    Ensure that FAO interventions within area of operation take into account gender aspects especially those related to women and youths, conflict sensitivity, Grievance Redress Mechanisms and Accountability to Affected Population (AAP);
•    Prepare ad hoc and bi-annual/ yearly plans and reports/updates and inform the PMs and technical team in a timely manner;
•    Review and comment on technical documents as required; prepare technical specifications of the required project inputs (equipment, supplies) and draft tender documents for local or international procurement
•    Organize briefing and debriefing meetings for donor’s missions;
•    Conduct emergency needs assessments in response to any humanitarian crises at State level
•    Identify possible bottlenecks and challenges within the changing humanitarian and operational works within and propose solutions to these challenges and plan for contingency planning actions.
•    Perform other duties as requested by the supervisor 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING 

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced Degree in Project Management, Economics, International Development, Rural Development, Social Science or other related field.
•    At least five years (5) of relevant experience in project management of complex projects on livelihood diversification, food security preferably in fragile or conflict affected states.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English. 

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Ability to plan, organize, implement and reports on work.
•    Good knowledge of UN system, procedures and operation activities is an advantage
•    Experience with emergencies and development initiatives in the Horn of Africa preferably in South Sudan
•    Demonstrated experience in the implementation of activities in collaboration with public and private sectors
•    Experience in providing technical assistance to development strategies, policy and national governments and regional bodies
•    Experience in project formulation, operation, implementation, budget execution and monitoring
 •    Committed to building and coaching teams and partners to deliver programmes in a complex and challenging context.
•    Experience in Office and Administration Management.
•    Demonstrated experience in dealing with senior government officials, development partners and other country stakeholders.
•    Experience in community-based development and participatory approaches and in particular with grassroots associations and farmers groups

Selection Criteria

•    At least limited knowledge of a second FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian) is an asset.