Regional Project Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with the departments and divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAP also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAP develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs), including the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) Regional (leading the project implementation) and Country Teams are dedicated to working with governments in preventing and controlling emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases by working closely with national and international stakeholders in the animal production and health sector. The main objective of the consultancy is to provide strategic guidance, leadership and technical oversight for a smooth implementation of the World Bank funded project OSRO/RAS/415/WBK. The ECTAD Regional team coordinates closely with other initiatives under the RAP Animal Health and Production Module.  The tasks envisaged for this consultancy are to be carried out through the ECTAD, through a programmatic approach, and in close coordination with the BIMSTEC Secretariat based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

To ensure a strong coordination with the BIMSTEC Secretariat, this position is based in the FAO Country Office in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The position will report directly to the FAO Representative to Bangladesh. The position will primarily receive operational and administrative support for the regional activities from the project team based in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific based in Bangkok, Thailand. Day-to-day support for the implementation of the work within Bangladesh will be supported by FAO Country Office, Bangladesh.   

This position will be based in the FAO, Dhaka, Bangladesh Office. 
 

Reporting Lines

Under the direct supervision of the FAOR Representative, in close coordination with the budget holder of the BIMSTEC project (OSRO/RAS/415/WBK), the Regional Project Coordinator (RPC) will receive technical supervision from the Regional Manager of the ECTAD in the FAO RAP, who also serves as the project’s Lead Technical Officer (LTO). The RPC will receive  administrative and operational guidance of the project Budget Holder, and will work in close collaboration with FAO team members at global, regional and country levels.

Technical Focus 

The RPC will be tasked to oversee the assigned project (OSRO/RAS/415/WBK) that contributes to the Better Production Programme Priority Area 3 (One Health), the Better Life Programme Priority Area 3 (Agriculture and Food Emergencies) and the Regional Priority One (Transforming agrifood systems for sustainable production and healthy diets) and  Regional Priority Three: Supporting inclusive rural transformation for sustainable agrifood systems and equitable rural societies

Tasks and responsibilities

o    Lead the day-to-day implementation and monitoring of the regional project OSRO/RAS/415/WBK, including timely recruitment and provision of guidance and supervision of related project personnel and procurement of appropriate equipment and services as specified in the project document;
o    Work in close collaboration with other project team members at the country and regional levels for effective implementation of project activities; 
o    Ensure the project Logical Framework Matrix is complete and up-to-date, and that relevant data is collected for regular monitoring of project results;
o    Coordinate with members of the ECTAD teams and relevant units in FAO as well as partners at country, regional and global levels to ensure smooth implementation of the project activities alongside other FAO projects in the region ensuring a programmatic approach and synergy;
o    Oversee the assessment of existing practices, systems and gaps for strengthening animal health and One Health systems among the participating BIMSTEC Member States;
o    Facilitate the development and implementation of relevant regional and national capacity development strategies to strengthen disease prevention and control;
o    Provide technical backstopping to target countries as per the project document, and conduct visits to the target countries to monitor country level activities;
o    Liaise and maintain positive working relations with the recipient countries and their FAO country office, partner and the donor representatives;
o    Facilitate knowledge management and dissemination of information among countries and at the regional level;
o    Assist the Regional Manager of ECTAD in organizing strategic and technical meetings for the exchange of information and the coordination of project activities;
o    Coordinate the timely preparation and submission of briefs, speeches, presentations, reports and public information materials related to the project;
o    Coordinate development and production of advocacy and communication materials to promote and enhance visibility of the project, FAO and its resource partner;
o    Participate in interview panels for the recruitment of other personnel, not staff members as requested;
o    Exercise supervisory functions over other project personnel, not staff members as requested;
o    Provide effective team leadership and technical oversight and management of associated  FAO ECTAD country programme initiations in Bangladesh, including coordination and facilitation of all technical activities to ensure synergies and harmonization across programmes;
o    Provide advice and support in the overall management of ECTAD programme activities, including prioritization planning, procurement, and coordination;
o    Provide technical advice to the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh in strategic planning and subsequent programming of pandemic diseases including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and other high-impact disease control and prevention activities;
o    Develop strategic partnerships and collaborate on the control and prevention of HPAI and other high-impact diseases with different national sectors e.g. Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock ( MoFL), Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Education (MoE), international agencies such as World Health Organization (WHO), World Organisation for Animal Health  (WOAH) and other UN agencies, International Centre of Diarrheal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Institute of Epidemiology and Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), the Department of Livestock Services (DLS); non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private poultry sector, professional associations, live animal market managers, teaching and research institutions and other relevant bodies and programmes;
o    Ensure that all technical activities are conducted in alignment with the government approved national One Health strategic framework;
o    Ensure effective and appropriate representation of FAO in UN inter-agency activities and other related national multi-stakeholder workstreams and platforms related to the control and prevention of HPAI (and other transboundary, zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases) in Bangladesh, and in particular, issues at the interface between animal, human, and ecosystem health;
o    Coordinate resource mobilization initiatives for priority aspects in managing transboundary animal diseases, in close collaboration with the FAO Representation, RAP and ECTAD management, including liaising with the existing donors, identifying new donors, and preparing appropriate presentations, concept notes and proposals for funding;
o    Be responsible for coordinating and preparing project documents and reports (as applicable);
o    Be responsible for the overall development and coordination of regular briefing and communication material related to the country programme and relevant stakeholders when requested or due;
o    Contribute to developing regional and global strategies and capacity development to control high-impact transboundary animal diseases and zoonoses, including participating in meetings when required;
o    Provide expert technical advice to the FAO Representative, coordination of the UN Interagency Support Team for the health emergency response to the interagency emergency response initiatives;
o    Prepare and submit the end of assignment report indicating the outputs of incumbent’s assignment including future planning for activities; and
o    Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree (Master’s or above) in Veterinary Medicine, Science, Animal Health, Public Health, Epidemiology, One Health, or a related field from a recognized institution is required. 
•    At least 5 years of proven experience in the management and implementation of infectious disease control programmes;
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Extent and relevance of experience in planning, coordination and organization of national and regional activities to support disease control strategies;
•    Extent and relevance of professional experience in project and/or programme formulation and implementation
•    Experience in animal health and One Health systems in Asia and Pacific with key regional partners, such as the BIMSTEC, the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and etc, would be an asset;
•    Excellent technical report preparation skills;
•    Extent and relevance of experience in liaison with partners and institutions in both formal and informal contexts;
•    Familiarity with UN or other international agencies field programmes is an asset.