Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a technical, knowledge-based organization aimed at moving forward policy dialogues and advocating for the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty, advancing economic and social progress for all, as well as the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

Reporting Lines

The National Programme Specialist is at SC9 position and under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and close supervision by the Emergency and Resilience Programme Coordinator

Technical Focus

The incumbent will lead the implementation of project activities for the Emergency and Resilience Unit (ERU).

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Manage the projects and staff working at the field level to  coordinate and maintain liaison among FAO, DAE, DLS, DoF, BMDA etc as and when required for smooth implementation of the project;
•    Represent FAO in the local forum(s) related to the project activities and report back to FAO Country Office; MoDMR Anticipatory Actions Task Force, Food Security Cluster, Needs Analysis Working Group, amongst others;
•    Liaise closely with the Office of Emergency and Resilience (OER) in Rome and Bangkok to ensure joint strategies for project work and resource mobilization;
•    Lead the design and implementation of the Anticipatory Actions CERF 2024 response allocation along with sister UN agencies, partners and stakeholders;
•    Lead the implementation of the ongoing ECHO supported project, including close documentation and follow up advocacy for expansion;
•    Lead the advocacy and resource mobilization for phase 2 of the Haor Development Project;
•    Conduct regular programme/project review meetings to ensure adherence to work plans, and that lessons learnt and best practices are adopted in a timely manner;
•    Provide written and oral updates to the OER team on a monthly basis, and/or as required on an ad hoc basis’
•    Contribute to development of detailed activity and procurement plans for ERU projects by analysing data from baseline surveys and through consultation with stakeholders;
•    Lead the integration of Accountability to Affected Population (AAP) measures throughout the ERU and the Programme Unit, at all levels of the Project Cycle Management;
•    Contribute to the preparation of annual work plans and budgets, clearing them as required with FAO;
•    Provide day to day supervision and assistance to  the Field Teams, consultants and support staff in carrying out their duties;
•    Contribute to the development and updating of the national-level FAO Resilience Strategy and the accompanying Anticipatory Action Strategy;
•    Monitor project implementation in the field in close coordination with Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)  Unit as well as the consultants assigned to individual projects and programmes, providing support to the integration of Resilience Indices Measurement and Analysis (RIMA) at all levels;
•    Participate in  briefing and debriefing meetings for all consultants and review their field reports, including analysis and recommendations, after each mission;
•    Prepare project-specific reports – monthly, half yearly, annual etc. as and when required internally or by donors and stakeholders,
•    Assist in developing lists of equipment to be procured under the project and the official Technical Specifications for inputs, based on lessons learned and sound local analysis of need and appropriateness;
•    Prepare timely and well-written terminal reports of the ERU projects
•    Establish and maintain professional relationships and communication lines with National government offices and in particular, Department of Agriculture Extension, Fisheries, Forestry, Livestock Services and other relevant departments;
•    Represent the Organization at inter-agency coordination meetings, task forces and working groups as required;
•    Review project expenditure regularly in coordination with Operations and MEAL specialists;
•    Further develop resilience programming and projects for resource mobilization efforts for the ERU and the Programme Unit;
•    Foster technical and professional growth of staff, identifying opportunities for advanced learning and experience where possible;
•    Any other task assigned by the FAO Representative & Supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    Master’s/ higher degree in Agriculture with emphasis on agronomy/crop and food security and nutrition.
•    At least 10 years of demonstrated relevant experience.
•    Working knowledge of (level C) English and Bangla preferable
•    National of Bangladesh.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Good background on crops, cropping systems/farming systems, food security and nutrition;
•    Proficient computer skills – Microsoft Office software, email, internet, spread sheets;
•    Good diagnostic and decision-making skills;
•    Survey designs questionnaire development;
•    Skills in staff management and capacity development.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION