Project Coordinator – Regional Water Scarcity Initiative Project

Organizational Setting

The Near East and North Africa (NENA) region faces severe water scarcity and deteriorating water quality, making it the world's most water-stressed region. The increasing water scarcity poses significant risks to food security, nutrition, and well-being in the region, particularly for vulnerable communities. To address these challenges, the FAO Regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) was established as a Regional Partnership Platform in 2013, bringing together about 20 international, regional and national partners committed to strengthening collaboration on water and food issues in the region. The WSI operates on the principles of cross-sectoral coordination and policy coherence, evidence-based polices and knowledge development and sharing to address water scarcity effectively.

The FAO Regional office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) led the development of the WSI programme in collaboration with five core partners, namely ESCWA, ICARDA, ICBA, IWMI and UNICEF. The programme,  named “Supporting the implementation of the Regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) in the Near East and North Africa” (GCP/RNE/018/MUL), is built on the successful implementation of regional projects like the WEPS, RICCAR and REWATER to address common challenges facing countries of the region, and will be jointly implemented and coordinated through the FAO Programme Implementation Unit (PIU) and country teams in collaboration with the five core partners. The WSI programme includes 3 outcomes and 17 outputs. The programme is structured around three pillars:
•    Governance of Agricultural Water: “Countries in the NENA region strengthen their governance to achieve sustainable agricultural water use and enhanced food security”. Outcome 1 focuses on strengthening governance and aims to pilot the implementation of management strategies that promote efficient water use in agriculture, ultimately enhancing food security by increasing agricultural productivity and reducing vulnerability to food crises.
•    Resilience of Food Systems and Water Services to Climate Change: “Countries in the NENA region enhance resilience of their food systems and water services to climate change for improved food and water security”. Outcome 2 focuses on enhancing the resilience of food systems and aims to make food systems more adaptable and better equipped to withstand climate-related disruptions and ensure the resilience of water services for adequate water supply for agriculture and other uses.
•    Dissemination of Knowledge and Experience through Enhanced Regional Cooperation: “Countries in the NENA region share and disseminate knowledge and experience for capacity development, informed decision making and enhanced regional cooperation”. Outcome 3 focuses on building capacities, increasing awareness, exchanging experiences, best practices, and expertise, thus enabling countries in the region to learn from each other in developing and implementing relevant policies, strategies and plans.

The WSI programme aims to contribute to achieving the water-related targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a focus on “No Poverty” (SDG 1), “Zero Hunger” (SDG 2), “Clean water and Sanitation” (SDG 6), \"Affordable and Clean Energy\" (SDG 7), “Climate Action” (SDG 13), “Life on Land” (SDG 15), and “Partnership for Goals” (SDG 17).
The post is located in the Programme Implementation Unit (PIU) of the Regional Water Scarcity Initiative at FAO RNE Office in Cairo, Egypt with travel to other countries included in the programme.

Reporting Lines

The Project Coordinator (PM) reports to the WSI Programme’s Lead Technical Officer, who serves as the Senior Land and Water Officer and Delivery Manager of the Regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) at FAO RNE. The PM will closely collaborate with the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) members and Country Teams. Additionally, the PM will work in partnership with the resource partners, government counterparts, partners, consultants, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of the project.

Technical Focus 

The Incumbent’s primary focus will be on coordinating and overseeing the implementation of the GCP/RNE/018/MUL programme activities across the three pillars, i) Governance of Agricultural Water, ii) Resilience of Food Systems and Water Services to Climate Change, and iii) Dissemination of Knowledge and Experience through Enhanced Regional Cooperation, while ensuring alignment with the programme's overall objectives. In addition, keeping track of the delivery of project results of the Core Partners. Furthermore S/he will be contributing to implementing the Water Scarcity Initiative Annual workplan activities.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Project Coordinator will work in collaboration with the WSI team members, the PIU members, Country Programme Coordinators, Partners, Technical Advisors, and National Focal Points from the government sector. As a Project Manager, working under the guidance and direction of the WSI programme Lead Technical Officer and Budget Holder, he will carry out the following:

Responsibilities under the WSI Regular Workplan 
•    Contribute to FAO support for the League of Arab States (LAS) Water-Agriculture Intergovernmental Process: As part of the WSI team, support the meetings of the Water-Agriculture Joint Ministerial Meetings and the High-Level Joint Water-Agriculture Technical Committee (HLJTC) of the League of Arab States. This involves coordinating with the Joint Technical Secretariat (Technical Secretariat of the Arab Ministerial Water Council and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development), as well as collaborating with UNESCWA. Key responsibilities include providing support the planning and organizing of meetings at the ministerial and technical level. Moreover, contribute to the implementation of FAO-supported recommendations and resolutions resulting from the HLJTC and ministerial meetings.
•    Collaborate closely with the other WSI team members to ensure alignment and coordinated implementation of related activities under the WSI regular work plan and WSI project. This includes, providing logistical support to plan and organize events and meeting like the FAO track at the Cairo Water Week and technical support in the implementation of capacity development activities in the areas of data technologies, non-conventional water, water accounting, water productivity, etc.

Responsibilities under the 2025-2026 WSI project (Multi-Donor Trust Fund)
•    Lead the day-to-day implementation, including supervision of the Country Programme Coordinators and the Programme Implementation Unit team. 
•    Ensure the preparation, monitoring and updating of plans, with particular emphasis on budget management and work plan, as well as application of corporate recommended tools. 
•    Ensure the Results Framework is complete and up-to-date, and that relevant data is collected for regular monitoring of project results.
•    Manage personnel, goods and services, overseeing the work of Operational and UN Partners, and service providers. 
•    Liaise, and maintain positive working relations with stakeholders, through the agreed office channels.
•    Liaise with, provide reports to and receive guidance from, governance mechanisms. 
•    Identify, mitigate and manage potential risks, report and escalate issues when necessary.
•    Ensure communications and visibility, in line with programme plans.
•    Ensure reports are prepared and submitted on a timely manner.
•    Ensure all deliverables are completed, project documentation is in order, evaluation is supported as needed, and preparations for project closure are set up. 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced University degree, or a university degree with 2 years of relevant  experience, in Business Administration, Project Management, Water and Agricultural Sciences or another relevant field.
•    Five years of relevant experience in developmental work implementation and coordination, project and programme management and operational support related to water, food, or agriculture. 
•    Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and Arabic

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Extent and relevance of experience in multi-sectoral, and in facilitating collaboration and managing diverse partnerships.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in supporting intergovernmental processes and dealing with government officials.
•    Extent and relevance of knowledge about water and related agriculture issues in the NENA region.
•    Demonstrated ability in organizing meetings, seminars, workshops and training courses.
•    Demonstrated experience in dealing with development partners and other country stakeholders.
•    Demonstrated capacity to write comprehensive technical reports in Arabic and English.

Selection Criteria

•    Experience with UN or international organizations is an asset.