Field Project Specialist

Organizational Setting

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve food security and nutrition. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to lead active and healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. FAO Country Offices, operating under overall corporate guidance and in line with the FAO Strategic Framework, provide policy advice and technical support to countries in FAO’s mandated areas. They work through partnerships, resource mobilization and active country programmes to deliver technical assistance, strengthen national capacities and provide core services, while fully observing international standards of accountability and results-based management. The offices deliver on national programmatic priorities as articulated in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

FAO Papua New Guinea implements a portfolio of country-level Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) projects that provide targeted, timely and demand-driven technical assistance to support national priorities in agriculture, food security, nutrition, livelihoods and sustainable agrifood systems. The TCP portfolio focuses on strengthening institutional and community capacities, supporting evidence-based policy and programme development, and delivering practical field-level interventions that contribute to resilient and inclusive agrifood systems. TCP projects are implemented in close coordination with national and subnational government counterparts and partners, ensuring alignment with national development strategies, FAO corporate frameworks and the Country Programming Framework.

Reporting Lines

The Field Project Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the Head of Office for FAO Papua New Guinea and the direct supervision of the National Project Management Specialist, FAOPNG. The incumbent will work in close consultation and coordination with the Head of Programme, the Head of Administration, and other FAOPNG programme/project team members.

Technical Focus

Field-level implementation and coordination of agricultural livelihoods, food security and resilience activities under country-level Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) projects, including support to agricultural planning and policy processes, seed systems and germplasm activities, community mobilization, stakeholder coordination, and monitoring of project implementation in close collaboration with government counterparts and partners.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Field Project Specialist will be responsible for the following tasks and duties:
•     Support the implementation of project activities, working closely with subnational government counterparts responsible for agriculture and related sectors and FAO partners to ensure adherence to agreed work plans and deliverables, with the required FAO technical and operational support; 
•     Coordinate stakeholder consultations for FAO-supported policy development in liaison with relevant and subnational government counterparts responsible for agriculture and related sectors.
•     Coordinate with relevant subnational government counterparts responsible for agriculture and related sectors to establish seed banks and multiplication sites
•     Facilitate and support with Germplasm capacity building collection workshop for grain crops, root and tuber crops
•     Support the FAO personnel with the field technical support missions, workshops, trainings and feasibility studies/surveys in the provinces selected for agricultural livelihoods and animal health related activities under FAO projects, availing of the implementation partners assigned to the project;  
•     Facilitate the community sensitization and mobilization of households at the community and ward levels when necessary;  
•     Engage with other stakeholders involved in agricultural resilience and livelihoods operations; 
•     Liaise with the provincial and district administrations in ensuring that project activities are aligned with relevant Provincial, and District plans in achieving sustainability;  
•     Assist with procurement actions (for the provision of project activities) at the community level;  
•     Work closely with FAO team members and partners to implement and monitor activities under Letters of Agreement (LoA) 
•     Demonstrate a commitment to gender equity and social inclusion, and women’s empowerment.  
•     Perform other duties as and when required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     University degree in agriculture, agronomy, livestock, natural resource management, rural development, or a closely related field.
•     At least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in field implementation of agricultural livelihoods, food security or resilience projects.
•     Working knowledge (Proficient Level C) of English.
•     Working knowledge of the official language(s) of Papua New Guinea.
•     National of Papua New Guinea

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in rural or field-based development contexts.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in coordinating field activities, community mobilization, and supporting trainings, workshops and stakeholder consultations.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in implementation of agricultural livelihoods, food security, resilience or animal health-related project activities.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in cross-sectoral/inter-agency collaboration
•     Extent and relevance of experience in program coordination/project management.
•     Familiarity with working with government counterparts, development partners, and local institutions, and with FAO or UN operational and reporting procedures being an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION