Programme Specialist (Liaison & Coordination)

Organizational Setting

FAO Afghanistan is investing across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan in resilience reinforcing actions that focus on protecting agriculture livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash-incomes, and safeguarding critical agriculture sectoral development gains achieved over the past couple of decades through revitalizing rural markets and economy. In particular, FAO provides a combination of humanitarian and basic needs/non-humanitarian assistance to female and male farmers and herders across Afghanistan in the agriculture, livestock, irrigation and natural resources sub-sectors through its projects and programs, as described in the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) and the United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA) 2023-2027, specifically under UNSFA Priority 2 Economic Opportunities and Resilient Livelihoods.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative (FAOR) or Deputy FAO Representative (DFAOR) in Afghanistan. S/he will work under the overall supervision of the National Professional Officer (Programme, Strategic Coordination and Liaison Team Leader). The direct supervisor will be responsible for all day-to-day supervision, technical guidance and the performance evaluation.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will work in close consultation with the National Professional Officer (Strategic Coordination and Liaison Team Leader) to ensure smooth coordination with all officials and all stakeholders.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Establish and maintain constructive coordination with local authorities at central, provincial and district levels.
•     Assist FAO Afghanistan senior leadership in developing protocols, guidelines, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for enhancing access and safety in the implementation of FAO programmatic activities.
•     Participate regularly in Humanitarian Access Group (HAG) meetings and provide reports and updates, highlighting strategic and programmatic issues.
•     Support the Country Office in the design and implementation of effective advocacy strategies and methods for proactive and strategic engagement with local authorities, partners and donors.
•     Provide strategic and technical support to the senior leadership in the preparation of missions and consultations involving relevant stakeholders, example local authorities, donors and partners etc.
•     Prepare briefing notes, and other supporting materials, and ensure overall coordination of missions and consultations with stakeholders/teams etc.
•     Coordinate with the local authorities on all matters related to FAO mandate and work.
•     Advocate with the local authorities to ensure support for smooth programme delivery.
•     Provide updates to the local authorities on relevant issues/concerns as may be required.
•     Coordinate with the local authorities for securing access for staff and donors and high-level delegates from FAO and other UN agencies as may be required.
•     Represent FAO in meetings with UN agencies, NGOs, Stakeholders and other partners as may be required.
•     Coordinate and facilitate required clearances and approvals related to custom clearances, NGOs’ MoUs etc.
•     Support the supervisor in providing advice to senior management on issues related to engagement with the various stakeholders and local authorities.
•     Provide detailed reports on the status of activities and ongoing concerns and propose ways to mitigate and minimize the risks.
•     Prepare drafts of official documents and validate related communication /responses in local language and ensure its correctness and accuracy.
•     Any other tasks as required by the supervisor(s).

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, social sciences, or equivalent qualification with 6 years and above, relevant experience in liaison and coordination with local authorities and stakeholders. 
At least 4 years of UN or INGO experience is desirable in coordination and/or relevant coordination for humanitarian/development project implementation.
•     Master’s degree in business administration, economics, social sciences, or equivalent qualification with 4 years and above, relevant experience in liaison and coordination with local authorities and stakeholders. 
At least 2 years of UN or INGO experience is desirable in coordination and/or relevant coordination for humanitarian/development project implementation.
•     Working knowledge (Level C) of English and proficiency in local language (Dari/Pashto).
•     National of Afghanistan.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Strong communication skills, written and oral.
•     Ability to be flexible and adaptable in order to respond to changing needs.
•     Strong advocacy and networking skills. 
•     Ability to work independently and deliver under tight timelines.
•     Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in multi-cultural and dynamic environment.
•     Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
•     Self-driven and self-motivated.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION