Project Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes 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 Global Environment Facility (GEF) has approved the “Integrated Agro-ecosystem approach for enhancing Livelihoods and Climate Resilience in Tuvalu” with GEF total budget of USD 2.64 million and total co-financing of USD 6.6 million. This project will be implemented by FAO in partnership with the Government of Tuvalu, executed and coordinated by the Ministry of Natural Resources, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.  

The main objective of this project is to reverse land degradation, enhance local livelihoods and increase climate resilience through integrated agro-ecosystem (IAE) approach in all the islands of Tuvalu. The IAE approach emphasises a systems approach to local food production to reduce land degradation and improve the health of agro-ecosystems while ensuring socioeconomic benefits. This overall Objective will be achieved by: 
•    Strengthening enabling framework for implementation of integrated agro-ecosystem approach (Component 1). 
•    Implementing integrated agro-ecosystem approach in all the islands (Component 2). 
•    Ensuring project implementation is supported by an M&E strategy based on measurable and verifiable outcomes and adaptive management principles (Component 3). 

FAO in partnership with the Government of Tuvalu is setting up a Project Management Unit within the Department o Agriculture and is recruiting a project team, international and national consultants (long and short-term appointments) to co-ordinate and support project implementation. The National Project Coordinator will lead the Project Management Unit team with support and guidance of the National Project Director.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands (SRC) and direct supervision of the SAP Better Environment Module Leader and Technical Adviser, the Project Coordinator will perform following tasks.

Technical Focus

The main technical focus of the Project Coordinator position is to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the project in Tuvalu. The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the coordination, monitoring, and reporting of project activities, ensuring compliance with GEF guidelines and the achievement of project objectives.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide technical guidance, critical support and decisive planning of the activities;
•    Liaise with FAO, PSC, relevant government agencies, and all project partners, including regional technical organizations and NGOs for effective synergistic implementation of all project activities at both community project sites and at national level.
•    Supervise project work plan activities of the Service Providers contracted through LoAs and ensure their timely provision of project inputs and deliverables. 
•    Liaise with project partners, in particular LLEE Tuvalu, Department of Agriculture, Kaupule, and the direct beneficiaries for the facilitation of trainings, management of the demonstration sites in the target localities.
•    Guide the international and national consultants, assess their deliverables and products as necessary.
•    Organize and ensure timely project procurements of supplies and inputs for project activities and trainings workshops in project sites.
•    Work in close collaboration with the NTSP-LDN Coordinator and UNCCD Focal Point to ensure alignment of work plan activities with the development and implementation of the LDN Strategy.
•    Assist coordination and implementation of project activities in the island of Fongafale, including the development and implementation of participatory integrated and whole Island Agro-ecosystem Action Plans (IAEAP), in support of the Island Strategic Plans (ISP).
•    Contribute to training of DoA extensions staff in delivery of Farmer Field Schools activities.
•    Lead the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of project implementation and track the project’s progress.
•    In close collaboration with the TA, ensure synergies are established between the project’s M&E and datasets collected for measuring locally relevant LDN indicators and metrics for land productivity dynamics (measured as net primary productivity, NPP) and carbon stocks (measured as soil organic carbon, SOC);
•    Monitoring and management of project financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports.  
•    Act as secretary of the Project Steering Committee, call its meetings and establish its agendas in consultation with the NPD.
•    Prepare and submit progress reports to the Director and to FAO-SAP.
•    Work closely with the LTO in preparing the Project Implementation Report (PIR) according to FAO and GEF guidelines.
•    Based on the capacity assessment findings, identify opportunities and training needs for strengthening capacity of the DoA and MoF in project execution.
•    Facilitate and support the handover of execution functions to DoA after 18 months of project implementation.
•    Perform any other duties deemed necessary for the successful execution of the project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements 

•    Bachelor’s degree in environmental management, environmental sciences, agriculture/horticulture science or related fields
•    A minimum of five years of working experience, in management or coordination of international, regional or national projects related to the agriculture and environment
•    Working knowledge of English and Tuvaluan 
•    National of Tuvalu

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Efficiency, competence and integrity as well as negotiating skills, tact and diplomacy are essential.
•    Able to work with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural project partners at regional and international level;
•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
•    Extent of knowledge of FAO standard operational rules and procedures and project/programme administrative management procedures
•    Extent of knowledge of FAO’s corporate systems and database, or knowledge of other accounting or financial modules or applications relevant to accounting procedures or project budget management would be considered an asset.
•    Demonstrated analytical and judgment skills and ability to apply rules and regulations in the subject field.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION