Project Specialist - Johannesburg at Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist in the coordination and implementation of the regional anticipatory action programme, including monitoring of the workplan, developing terms of reference (TORs) and concept notes for activities and outputs of the programme. 
• Assist in the planning and coordination of interagency activities, including missions, trainings and workshops. 
• Monitor program implementation and progress across all levels, providing guidance to FAO country offices and partners on necessary management actions.
• Assist in the consolidation of inputs from countries and partners, preparing periodic program updates and final reports.
• Participate in relevant meetings, including those of the Regional Anticipatory Action Working Group, SADC Disaster Risk Reduction Technical Working Group, and forums such as the SADC Seasonal Preparedness Workshop and CUERE meetings.
• Support the development of country-specific coordination frameworks, roadmaps, anticipatory action financing guidelines, including simulation exercises at the country level.
• Support research studies including return-on-investment and evaluation studies and linking anticipatory action to social protection mechanisms with sustainable financing where feasible.
• Perform other duties as requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in disaster management, climate change, food Security, nutrition, agricultural Economics, or sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry, and fisheries), or related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in technical cooperation's related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, fishery, forestry, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• For Consultants: working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). For PSAs: working knowledge (level C) of English.

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location/country or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Relevance and extent of experience in technical cooperation's related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multi-disciplinary teams.

Selection Criteria

• Experience in qualitative and quantitative research design, data collection and analysis. Ability to develop research reports, baseline and endline studies at community level. 
• Extent and relevance of experience (at least 5 years’ experience) in evidence-based resilience and humanitarian programming, in humanitarian information management in Zimbabwe and/or Mozambique.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise and build partnerships with UN agencies, NGO, and government institutions on drought, floods, and cyclones trigger development.