Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members - 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. FAO Ukraine is seeking to increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises that affect agriculture, food and nutrition, focusing on four major areas: - rural economic development - transition to sustainable agriculture and food production practices - adaptation to climate change - humanitarian assistance.
FAO Ukraine is the country office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, a specialized agency dedicated to achieving food security, reducing rural poverty, and promoting sustainable management of natural resources. FAO Ukraine works in close partnership with the government, civil society organizations, private sector, and other UN agencies to address the diverse challenges and opportunities in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and environmental sectors. By providing technical assistance, policy advice, and capacity development support, FAO Ukraine plays a vital role in fostering sustainable agricultural practices, strengthening the resilience of rural communities, and enhancing food security and nutrition across the country.
The ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine has caused significant disruptions to agriculture. The degradation of soil quality and loss of productivity are some of the major challenges faced by farmers in the region. Conservation Agriculture (CA), with its principles of crop rotation, minimal soil disturbance, and permanent soil cover, offers a viable solution to restore soil health and improve agricultural resilience. FAO is committed to supporting these farmers by providing technical assistance to implement CA practices and enhancing productivity in these war-affected regions.
The FAO Mine Action and Land Rehabilitation Programme activities in Ukraine aims at revitalizing farming communities affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). The programme focuses on emergency agricultural recovery, land rehabilitation, livelihood restoration, and ensuring long-term sustainability for war-affected farming households.
FAO has a โzero-toleranceโ policy towards any form of SEA and for inaction on SEA by its personnel and by the employees of entities working with or providing services to the Organization across all programmes, projects, and activities.
This role is based in Kyiv, Ukraine.ย
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of DRO/Ukraine Head of Office and the Head of Programme, and the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator Mine Action and Land Rehabilitation Programme Team. He/she will be supporting coordination of field activities, especially supporting interaction with FAO field offices, relevant implementing partners and government counterparts that are cooperating closely with FAO for the implementation of the programme. ย
Technical Focus
The Specialist will be involved in the implementation of day-to-day project activities, ensuring effective programmatic, operational and administrative support as well as supporting the Programme Coordinators in liaising with relevant FAO units, including Operations, Procurement, and Human Resources, to facilitate project support. The Project Implementation Specialist will also support the Programme Coordinator in managing procurement, contracts, monitor the budget expenditure, and addressing operational challenges to ensure the programmeโs efficiency and timely delivery. The incumbent will support activities in the design and implementation of demonstration plots; training farmers in-situ; delivering online technical assistance; and monitoring and evaluation. ย
Tasks and responsibilities
Specifically, the incumbent will carry out the following tasks:ย
โข ย ย Support in a day-to day basis the Programme Coordinator in planning, implementing, and monitoring project activities at national and regional level.
โข ย ย Participate in the formulation of projects and support preparation of contribution agreements and addendums for new projects, in coordination with the Planning unit and Operations Unit, in line with the FAO Project Cycle Guide.
โข ย ย Coordinate projects assigned within the programme, ensuring work plans, procurement plans, cash and vouchers plans, monitoring plans and any other management actions are conducted in line with FAO procedures and programmatic recommendations.
โข ย ย Support report drafting, prepare project briefs and facilitate overall support to the Programme Coordinator and FAO Ukraine Senior Management with the management of assigned initiatives and projects;ย
โข ย ย Facilitate the drafting of Letters of Agreement (LoA), procurement requests, technical specifications, and other procurement documentation required for project implementation, when required by the Programme Coordinator.
โข ย ย Closely follow up with Service Providers on LoA implementation, deliverables, and review and certify narrative/financial reports, ensure time submission of reports and LoA closure within project life.
โข ย ย Liaise with the Operations and Procurement Units for operational and administrative support to FAOโs Mine Action programme. Prepare and finalize correspondence on programme matters, including queries to Procurement and Operations Unit.ย
โข ย ย Ensure consistency of programme requests to support units, with FAOโs operational requirements and procurement regulations.
โข ย ย Prepare recruitment plan and draft terms of reference for the Mine Action Program and submit to FAO Ukraine Human resources Unit to ensure that the recruitment plans are on track.
โข ย ย Collaborate with the FAO Ukraine Procurement Unit to ensure progress of the procurement of necessary goods and services per the initial procurement plan.
โข ย ย For the projects under the Mine Action programme, maintain close track budget expenditures, alert in case of discrepancies with the initial plan, and propose corrective actions if necessary.
โข ย ย In liaison with the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, track projectsโ progress in relation to established objectives and timelines.
โข ย ย Contribute to data and input for project monitoring, evaluation, and reporting purposes, and assist with the development and maintenance of project monitoring tools and systems.
โข ย ย Support FAOโs Communication Coordinator to ensure visibility of FAOโs activities and the dissemination of appropriate visibility items/materials in compliance with donor and FAO requirements.
โข ย ย Other activities that may be required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements ย
ย ย
โข ย ย University degree in public/business administration, political economy, political or social sciences, international development, agriculture, economics or a related fieldย
โข ย ย At least 3 years of relevant experience in coordinating or supporting program implementation within large and complex projects or program management, with a focus mine action, on food security, nutrition operations, and work in conflict or post-conflict contexts
โข ย ย Working knowledge (Level C) English
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skillsย
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project management, operations, formulation, analysis, planning and implementationย
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in developing and delivering large projects related to food security, provision of extension support as well as disaster risk management
โข ย ย Demonstrated ability to process complex data and analyze information as the basis for technical and policy advice for governments, and as input for national and international meetingsย
โข ย ย Experience in Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia is considered an asset
โข ย ย Ability to work productively under pressure and to maintain high morale in difficult circumstances
โข ย ย Strong knowledge to effectively use standard office software, such as MS Office (Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, Exchange)
Selection Criteria
โข ย ย Advanced university degree is desirable
โข ย ย Experience with a focus in mine action, food security, nutrition operations, and work in conflict or post-conflict contexts will be considered an advantage
โข ย ย Limited knowledge (Level B) of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish is an asset
โข ย ย Experience designing and implementing farmer training programs and demonstration plots
โข ย ย Previous experience with the UN system or relation work for a donor organization, consulting company or NGO is a strong advantage