Project Support Specialist

Organizational Setting

The position is located at the FAO Representation in Georgia, based in Tbilisi. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by the 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 Project Support Specialist will be recruited under the UTF/GEO/034/GEO-F project titled: “Formulation and design of Land Consolidation in Georgia (hereafter referred as “UTF Project”)”. 

The overarching goal of the project is to support the introduction of a fully operational land consolidation instrument in Georgia integrated with irrigation rehabilitation in the World Bank Georgia Resilient Agriculture, Irrigation, and Land (GRAIL) Project. The project is expected to contribute to future increased agricultural production and investments, more efficient use of land and of water for agricultural purposes, more dynamic agricultural land markets, improved access to credit, and improved access to land and strengthened land rights, including for women who own land alone or jointly with men. 

Land consolidation in Georgia is expected to result in more efficient farm structures through reduction of land fragmentation and the voluntary facilitation of farm enlargement and in this way contribute to local agricultural development. Land consolidation is planned to be introduced in a multi-purpose approach, integrating the objective of agricultural development with additional public objectives related to nature, environment and climate change adaptation and mitigation depending on the situation in the project areas. 

The project will result in a National Land Consolidation Strategy document, draft legal framework for land consolidation, initiation 
of implementation of land consolidation pilot projects and the initial development of technical and administrative capacity for implementation of land consolidation projects and management of a future national land consolidation programme. 

 

Reporting Lines 

The incumbent will work under the overall responsibility of the FAO Representative for Georgia, and the direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator, and in close collaboration with all relevant units of the FAO Country Office in Georgia and international experts.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide administrative support to the implementation of the UTF Project.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Provide day-to-day administrative and logistical support for the UTF Project;
•     Provide administrative and logistical support to effectively deliver project activities, including the organization of trainings, workshops, meetings and other events;
•     Assist in the preparation of project documentation, including procurement requests, progress reports, work plans, meeting minutes, attendance sheets, and other materials in a timely manner; 
•     Establish and maintain project databases using FAO systems to support effective information management, including collecting, consolidating and archiving information products for monitoring purposes;
•     Assist in procurement for goods and services through provision of market research and collecting the quotations for procurement actions; 
•     Coordinate the provision of transportation requirements including staff and items movement for duty purposes; management of drivers and the car fleet of the project;
•     Ensure the request of UNDSS clearances, Mission ToRs, mission BTORs;
•     Organize the reception and transfer of procured items, including customs clearance, loading and unloading, confirmation of reception, etc
•     Provide support to the project in the organisation of meetings, and ensure their secretariat (agenda, minutes)
•     Act as PR requestor for the project.
•     Provide support in editing and proofreading documents (ToRs, letters, mission agendas, mission reports, etc.) and punctuality of translations from English to Georgian and Georgian to English, as needed, follow-up with relevant contractors/providers of these services.
•     Maintain the projects, records, repository and filing (ToRs, BTORs, final reports, PPTs, etc.)
•     Provide comprehensive support to the project team's technical activities: data collection and analysis of field work, implementation of awareness-raising campaigns, both at national level and in pilots, stakeholder engagement activities 
•     Supporting the smooth operation of office space – including, selection of space, when necessary, arrangement of the contract with lesser, development of specifications for office furniture, equipment, stationery and procurement thereof, etc.
•     Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     University degree in Business Administration, Economics, Agriculture or other related field
•     5 years of relevant experience in performing administrative tasks
•     Experience in working with international organizations. Working experience at a UN organization is an asset
•     Working knowledge (Level C) of English and Georgian languages 
•     National of Georgia

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Computer literacy with spreadsheets, databases, data and analytical information management, Microsoft 
•     Ability to prioritize tasks and maintain schedules, adjusting to changing priorities or unexpected challenges to ensure deadlines are met
•     Excellent communication and coordination skills

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION