Project Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized technical agency of the United Nations. The FAO mission is to work toward the eradication of hunger and strive for food security for everyone as stated in the 2030 Agenda. The FAO’s Strategic Framework aspires to transform agri-food systems so that they are more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The ultimate goals of these efforts include better production, better nutrition, better environment, and better lives, while leaving no one behind.

FAO is technically and operationally supporting the Government of Republic of Marchall Island (RMI) through the GEF funded project “Sustainable food systems and integrated land/seascape management in the Marshall Islands”, with the objective to transform food systems and land/seascape management in the Marshall Islands to deliver integrated global environmental benefits and health benefits. This project is implemented on 6 atolls: Majuro, Kwajalein, Arrno, Wotje, Jaluit, Ailinglaplap, selected based on population sizes and density, land areas, level of urbanization. The project is expected to integrate food system management into strategy and planning in the RMI; capacity building for spatial planning and decision making to support integrate environmental and agri-food system management; provide feasible and attractive options for resource management and restoration for food production to contribute to land degradation neutrality, ecosystem services; promote value chain/market conditions for sustainably produced nutritious food and upscale/outscale the learnings/best practices in other atoll states and in other small island developing states.

The Government of the RMI in partnership with FAO will set up a Project Management Unit (PMU) within MNRC and will recruit a Project team, international and national constants (long and short-term appointments) to co-ordinate and support project implementation.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the National Project Director, in consultation with the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator (SRC) for the Pacific, and working closely with the LTO, FLO, FAO-GEF Coordination Unit, FAO officers at Headquarters, the Regional and Sub-regional offices and relevant Ministries.

Technical Focus

The Project Coordinator, as part of the PMU will lead the PMU team with support and guidance of the National Project Director for effective coordination and implementation of the project.

Tasks and responsibilities

The PC will be responsible for the following tasks.

Project Management:

• Ensure coordination for technical and operational implementation of all project activities and outputs (with support from the NPD and Technical Advisor);

• Track the project’s progress against the target and prepare the project monitoring report;

• Ensure compliance with all Operational Partners Agreement (OPA) provisions during the implementation, including on timely reporting and financial management;

• Ensure that all project resources are used solely to achieve project objectives consistent with the approved work plan and budget and government financial policies and FAO/GEF requirements;

• Support the NPD in his/her role as Secretary of the Project Steering Committee, call its meetings and establish its agendas in consultation with the NPD;

• Lead the monitoring and evaluation of project implementation;

• Organize project workshops and meetings to monitor progress and preparing the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP/B);

• Submit the six-monthly Project Progress Reports (PPRs) with the AWP/B to the PSC and FAO;

• With support from the project team, prepare the first draft of the Project Implementation Review (PIR);

• Support the quality assurance related activities i.e, regular audits, spot checks and field visits in close communication with FAO;

• Submit the required OP technical and financial reports to FAO and facilitate the information exchange between the OP and FAO, if needed;

• Provide support to the PMU in submitting the OP six-monthly technical and financial reports (Project Progress Report/PPR) to FAO and facilitate the information exchange between the OP and FAO, if needed;

• Prepare technical specification and take necessary measures for the procurement of goods and services;

• Ensure engagement of stakeholders as per Stakeholder Engagement Plan to facilitate implementation of project;

• In collaboration with the Gender and ESS Specialist, ensure implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan, FPIC, Gender Action Plan, and Stakeholder Engagement Plan;

• Inform the PSC and FAO of any delays and difficulties as they arise during the implementation to ensure timely corrective measure and support;

• Based on the capacity assessment findings, identify opportunities and training needs for strengthening capacity of the MNRC and MoF in project execution.

Technical Support

• Provide technical assistance for project activities and provide input to workshop, training, knowledge materials and project progress report;

• Supervise project work plan activities of the Atoll Food System Officers (AFSO) acting as Project Field Officers in each of the 6 Atolls;

• Work in close collaboration with the LDN Specialist and UNCCD Focal Point to ensure alignment of work plan activities of the AFSOs, in particular to data collection, as related to the development and implementation of the LDN Strategy;

• In close collaboration with the International Senior Technical Advisor, 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);

• 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; and

• Perform any other duties deemed necessary for the successful execution of the project

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in environmental management, environmental sciences, agriculture science or related field

• 10 years of relevant experience in the management or coordination of regional or national projects related to environment

• Working knowledge of English is required

• National of Marshall Island.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION