National Project Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing technical assistance to enhance the country's capacity to support youth participation in agrifood systems (TCP/ZIM/4003 (754112) project. This is a 1.5-year project (2025-2026), with two overall objectives, including (i) Developing a national strategy and investment plan for youths in agrifood systems strengthened and (ii) Capacitating and training youth and ministry personnel to better deliver the governance and leadership mandate on inclusion of youth in agrifood system improved. This initiative aligns closely with national priorities and strategies, particularly the Zimbabwe National Agriculture Policy, which emphasizes the need for inclusive agricultural development. Furthermore, it aligns with the government’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), highlights the importance of engaging youth in creating sustainable and resilient agrifood systems. By supporting youth participation, the project will contribute to national strategies aimed at poverty reduction, food security, and economic growth. Through targeted technical assistance, this project seeks to enhance Zimbabwe's institutional capacity to create a supportive environment for youth in agrifood systems. This includes providing technical assistance to the Zimbabwe government to develop strategies to engage youth in inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems in line with FAO's Strategic Framework and the FAO Rural Youth Action Plan. By building partnerships between public agencies, private sector actors, and youth organizations, we can ensure the sustainable engagement of youth in agriculture, ultimately contributing to resilient and inclusive agrifood systems in Zimbabwe.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for Zimbabwe, direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative-Programme and technical oversight of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO). The incumbent will work in close collaboration with technical officers in the country office and in HQ.

Technical Focus

Coordination and communication; Project cycle management; Monitoring and evaluation; Technical expertise for the appropriate planning, development and implementation of the FAO projects and timely delivery of the project outputs and capacity development. 

Tasks and responsibilities

The Project Coordinator will oversee the day-to-day operations of the project as outlined in the project document and implementation plans, following the project cycle. S/he will provide all necessary support, and technical advice to achieve the expected project objectives in Zimbabwe. In particular, the Coordinator will perform the following tasks: 

Project work planning 

•    Prepare detailed project annual work plans referred to the implementation and coordination modalities and submit them to the LTO for clearance.
•    Prepare project procurement, travel, and recruitment plans and submit them to the LTO and supervisor for clearance
•    Formulate/ facilitate the signing of any contracts related to the project implementation with implementing partners.  

Project implementation, monitoring and reporting 

•    Make necessary arrangements for implementing the project and coordinate implementation of the project activities to ensure coordinated attainment of project results within timeframes
•    Monitor the implementation of planned project activities on a day-to-day basis and provide weekly, monthly and annual updates to the Supervisor, LTO, etc.
•    Monitor the performance of the project implementation regularly and give feedback to the LTO including recommended corrective measures where necessary. 
•    Review reports prepared by the external consultants and other service providers
•    Support capacity-building efforts through organizing training workshops, seminars, and knowledge-sharing platforms focused on innovative transformation of agrifood systems and youth participation.
•    Coordinate the assessments of the current state of the youth in agrifood systems and capacity of the country (incl. mapping youth in agrifood food systems policies and interventions, key stakeholders mapping, capacity assessment, existing solutions, providers and initiatives, the policy, institutional and legislative frameworks)
•    Support the ongoing development efforts of the national youth in agrifood system strategy.
•    Coordinate the production of the inclusive Youth National Investment Guidelines / Plan outlining the mechanisms that will attract investment and enable participation of youths in agrifood systems processes
•    Facilitate the production of investment proposal for establishment of Youth Innovation and Digital Technologies Hubs/Labs in the Agrifood Systems
•    Develop a bankable funding programme proposal to be submitted to donors
•    Coordinate the youth policy dialogue to support participation of youths in the development of relevant policies to ensure that youth voices are incorporated
•    Facilitate the participation of the government and youth leaders in an exchange/ learning tour to Rwanda. Organize a post learning visit session to reflect on lesson learnt and draft action points.
•    Production of the relevant reports 
•    Provide technical leadership to the project implementation and ensure timely accomplishment of the set targets and milestones and eventual achievement of the quality results in time.  
•    Identify and act on constraints and issues if any that need timely resolutions and corrective actions. 
•    Ensure that project activities are implemented and managed as per the FAO and TCP guidelines and procedures.
•    Identify and escalate critical issues related to project implementation such as delays, gaps, risks, and major changes to the attention of the LTO to initiate actions for timely resolution.

Youth Focal Point 

•    Assist in the resource mobilization and project formulation on youth issues to ensure the sustainability of the project results and potential scaling up.
•    Coordinate the operational and technical preparation of youth key events 
•    Support the youth focused forums and associations that are linked to FAO such as WFF National Chapter 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in international development, environmental studies, economics, agricultural or development studies, social sciences or other related fields. 
•    5 years of relevant work experience in agricultural policy, agricultural business models, rural development, decent rural employment and youth employment issues or international development.
•    Working knowledge (Level C) of English
•    National of Zimbabwe or resident in the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

•    Excellent command of written and oral English; working knowledge of local languages is an asset. 
•    Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and others).