Project Management Specialist

Organizational Setting

The FAO country representative office for Jamaica, Belize, and Bahamas is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies and actions for addressing food, agriculture, and rural development priorities in these three countries. It develops and maintains relations with national institutions, including government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, and private sector institutions. The Office is a subsidiary of FAO's Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean and the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC).

Among activities that the Office is currently supporting in Jamaica include implementing the (UNFA/JAM/024/UND) “Improving Rural Livelihood Through  Resilient Agri-Food Systems”. The goal of the project is to reduce rural poverty and achieve sustainable livelihoods to reinforce the social contract between citizens and the state, delivering three key outputs that are: 

Output 1: Provide Technical assistance to the GOJ to plan, design, and implement selected agricultural technologies in support of women and youth productivity in food systems.

Output 2:  Provide Technical assistance to the GOJ to build farmers’ (youth and women) capacity to embrace selected agricultural technologies to improve production and productivity

Output 3: Provide Technical assistance to the GOJ to build youth and women entrepreneurship capability for greater economic resilience.  

The project, which will last approximately two years, is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining (MoAF) and other government agencies. The FAO office for Jamaica, Belize, and the Bahamas is seeking an experienced project manager to enhance coordination with all project stakeholders and ensure timely project deliveries.

Reporting Lines

The project management specialist will report directly to the FAO Country Representative for Jamaica, Belize and Bahamas, and the Lead Technical Officer of the project. It is expected that he/she will work closely with the National Focal Point designated  by the Government, the National Project Steering Committee (PSC), the Project Task Force (PTF):

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be responsible for the overall management and coordination of the project implementation, including day-to-day administration and regular monitoring of project results and risks. She/he will also ensure that all project personnel maintain a high level of transparency, responsibility, and accountability in M&E and in reporting project results.

Tasks and responsibilities

The specialist  will carry out the following tasks:
•    Ensure overall efficient management, coordination, implementation and monitoring of all activities of the project
•    Provide methodological support, training, continuous follow-up and guidance to the national team involved in the implementation of the project. 
•    Update and implement, in collaboration with all stakeholders involved a comprehensive project management tools (including, a detailed project workplan and procurement plan, RACI matrix,  communication plan and  risk management plan and Annual Operating Plans)
•    Coordinate stakeholders engagement/matrix and inception (baselines report and launch). This includes leading the Project management team, and coordinating with a National Steering Committee and serving as the secretary of the project task force.
•    To ensure a monitoring and evaluation system and update in tools needed for timely monitoring and reporting of all project tasks, activities, outputs, indicators, gender equality, and budget. This include:
o    Collecting and validating all information to assess whether targets and indicators are met
o    Maintaining the project reports and all other such documentation, including quarterly reports for the duration of the project.
o    Preparing periodical reports and communication materials for all the project stakeholders. 
•    Provide appropriate technical and operational guidance for the implementation of all the project management tools. This includes:
o    Continuous hands-on training and periodical meetings with all stakeholders;
o    Lead the process of updating (where necessary) and applying selection criteria for beneficiaries of the project ;
o    Undertake systematization of good practices as required; 
o    Lead the operational and administrative management of all activities of the project, in coordination with the rest of the project management team that will comprise of the Project Management Specialist, an administrative assistant, and  a project technical assistant (for Extension Services support and Knowledge Management). This includes leading procurement processes, preparing specifications for procurement, preparing agreements with service providers and partners, hiring, etc ;

•    Support the management and coordination of all other activities relevant for the success of the project.
•    Support other projects as required py the supervisors

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in Agriculture/ Rural development, Social Sciences, Climate Change and other related areas 
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in project and/or program management
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

•    MBA and/or certifications in project management is a plus
•    Knowledge and Experience in implementing Climate Resilient  Technology related Agricultural Projects
•    Previous experience in the coordination of projects between UN agencies and the Government agencies is a plus
•    Experience in inter-institutional coordination