National Project Coordinator (ELGA Secretariat)

Organizational Setting

Eswatini still faces several Readiness gaps and barriers which limit the potential for climate change adaptation and mitigation particularly in urban and peri urban communities, which limits the potential to mainstreaming green cities indicators which intend to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The gaps include limited availability and applications of baselines and indicators, limited role/capacity of Eswatini Local Government Association (ELGA), limited knowledge on actions/interventions for/on urban agriculture and food systems, infrastructure and technologies, weak capacity, absence of knowledge and guidelines on advisory and extension services, absence of an updated policy environment and incentive framework, lack of  awareness on how to make urban and peri urban spaces more resilient and adapted to climate change. Therefore, there is a need to prepare Eswatini’s urban and peri-urban communities for public and private investment towards attaining a sustainable green cities status. This is through developing a set of green cities national indicators, strengthening observatory, monitoring and evaluation systems and capacity of the Eswatini Local Government Association (ELGA) and promote advisory and extension services in relevant departments for sustainable agriculture and agribusiness in urban and per-urban spaces.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Eswatini (FAOR), guidance of the Assistant FAOR and the National Programme Coordinator, the National Project Coordinator will work in close collaboration with FAO officers that will form a project management task force team consisting of the Lead Technical Officer and the Agro-Food Systems and Investment Policy Support Specialist (FAO Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa), the Climate Finance Officer in the GCF Coordination Unit (FAO Rome), and the Budget Holder (FAO Representative for Eswatini) and will perform the following specific activities:

Technical Focus

Demonstrated understanding of sustainable green cities indicators in relation to green infrastructure, open spaces, and urban agriculture.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Coordinator will perform the following specific activities:

•    Provides implementation support to the project by providing technical support and ensuring appropriate linkages among the components and among consultants and concerned actors;
•    Develops project work plan and budgets;
•    Prepares bid documents including TORs for project experts/consultants working on the various aspects of the project and to the selection process;
•    Lays an operations system for finance, procurement and administration;
•    Ensures that project management and implementation comply to policies of money laundering, petty cash handling, fraud etc;
•    Facilitates the development of a communication strategy;
•    Provides capacity-building support to research assistants/associates.
•    Assists consultants and institutions with the preparation of technical reports for the project;
•    Coordinates the organization and conduct of assessments, consultations and stakeholders workshops;
•    Provides advice so that the appropriate approaches and technical requirements are followed during project implementation;
•    Facilitates the review and evaluation of consultants reports;
•    Supports the Infrastructure Sector Climate Change Coordination Mechanism, including organisation of meetings, reporting progress, prepare steering committee packs, prepare technical working group materials and facilitate information sharing.
•    Coordinates logistical arrangements for the various consultancies and meetings under the project;
•    Coordinates with relevant national stakeholders, especially the NDA (Ministry of Environment) and Ministry of Agriculture to ensure maximum delivery and participation in project activities;
•    Coordinates the development and dissemination of awareness raising materials at various levels;
•    Collates investments and development gaps and organises ideas to generate concepts;
•    Prepares project reports of progress (every 6 months in accordance with GCF reporting requirements) and briefs as required;
•    Ensures interventions are well coordinated with other FAO and non-FAO projects in the country and build on FAO comparative advantage, successful practices, lessons learnt; 
•    Performs other project management duties as required, assigned by the FAOR.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced University degree (Master’s) in Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Integrated Water Resources Management, Climate Change or related fields;
•    At least 5 years’ experience in project management and implementation; 
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English; 
•    Working knowledge of SiSwati will be added advantage;
•    National of Eswatini or a legal resident in the country.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/ Functional Skills

•    Experience within Geospatial works and natural resources management;
•    Demonstrated knowledge of international climate finance, specifically the green climate fund architecture and adaptation and mitigation agendas of the UNFCCC (understanding of the Eswatini NDC activities);
•    Extent and relevance of experience in Agricultural value chains on how they are affected by climate change and their resilient technologies employed;
•    Relevant work experience in more than one Agricultural Sector;
•    Experience working with government ministries and/or agricultural sector, NGOs, Donors and private financial sector stakeholders;
•    Possess good planning, coordination, interpersonal and communication skills;
•    Proficiency in MS Office, particularly in Word, Excel and Power Point; 
•    Ability to work in a multi- cultural environment with sensitivity and respect to diversity; and
•    Ability to work with minimum supervision. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION