The technical focus of this position combines functional expertise in project management with technical advisory expertise in agriculture climate change adaptation and value chain development. The SPO (GCF PEARL Project) will be responsible for overall project implementation and the proper use of the project's financial, human and other resources.
The project will be implemented through two different modalities, firstly, directly by FAO and secondly, through operational partnerships government ministries and NGOs. The SPO (GCF PEARL Project) will directly manage the implementation of FAO's directly implemented component of the project and will develop the contractual agreements and oversee and monitor the implementation of the components of the project being delivered through operational partnerships.
The SPO (GCF PEARL Project) will ensure the technical impact and coherence of the project including providing technical advisory support in one or more of the following areas:
mainstreaming climate change adaptation in the agricultural sector
supporting producers and producer organizations adapt to climate change
inclusive and sustainable value chain development
business planning and agriculture finance
digital agrometeorology and advisory services
Key Functions:
Leads the development, implementation and evaluation on technical issues of assigned programmes/projects; directs review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions;
Coordinates programmes and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects and the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies;
Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications;
Directs substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations;
Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties;
Provides advice to develop policies and strategies as well as national protocols and guide lines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.
Specific Functions:
Leads the project implementation team and manages the project's financial, human and other resources;
Establishes and uses the Project Steering Committee to govern project activities and will support the PSC by overseeing the provision of six-monthly update to the results framework, six monthly workplans, six monthly project reports, procurement plans, HR plans, and other plans or reports as requested by the PSC or GCF;
Provides technical leadership and advisory support to the project, project staff and employees, project stakeholders and GCF;
Establishes and implements the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for the project;
Leads the development of detailed project work plans, results-based Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP/B), implementation and monitoring of the project activities;
Manages a multidisciplinary team comprised of various national and international experts, consultants and supporting staff;
Advises on the terms of reference, selection, and recruitment of national and international experts;
Monitors and supervises the works of consultants and implementing partners;
Ensures timely development of procurement, human resource, finance and travel plans and manages day-to-day operations of the project;
• Advise the establishment of strong MEAL system and ensures strong learning and communication within the project team and with wider stakeholders;
Advises on the establishment of systems to periodically monitor and take corrective action to address project implementation risks and any issues associated with project compliance with risk management strategies to meet GCF and FAO requirements for environmental and social safeguards and prevention and protection from Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment;
Leads the preparation of the project's periodic reporting (financial and technical) including: 1) quarterly project progress reports, 2) six-monthly project progress reports, 3) annual project progress reports, as well as any other reports in a timely manner for review and clearance by the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and Budget-holder, prior to their submission to the PSC and the GCF Coordination Unit, respectively;
Leads the secretariat that supports project governance activities (Project Taskforce and Project Steering Committee), including preparation of documentation for consideration and provision of advice to enable adaptive management of the project;
Facilitates mainstreaming gender, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Social Protection, Accountability to Affected Population, involvement of youth and nutrition in the project;
Ensures that all project inputs, equipment, technical assistance and services are provided efficiently and in a timely manner;
Develops and keeps close liaison/working relations with national government counterparts, and provincial authorities, line departments, UN agencies, private sector and other professional associations to ensure timely conduct of project activities, contractual arrangements, adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders;
Facilitates meetings and ensures the timely and responsive delivery of planned meeting outputs and reports;
Provides policy and technical advice to the national government counterparts in the development and implementation of policy and strategies related to climate adaptation and resilience, value chain development, agricultural finance and agricultural certification schemes;
Prepares technical reports /policy documents required by the project in a timely manner;
Represents the project in meetings and conferences relevant to the achievement of the project's objectives;
Performs other related duties as required.
Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:
Minimum Requirements:
Advanced university degree in economics, management, agriculture, international development or related fields;
Ten years of relevant experience in in agriculture value chain or climate change adaptation project/programme implementation;
Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Technical/Functional Skills:
Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential;
Extent of relevance of experience in planning and implementation of large-scale complex projects/programmes in developing countries related to agriculture development;
Extent of relevance of experience in climate change adaptation and agriculture value chain projects/programmes.
Extent and relevance of experience in managing the implementation of large-scale projects/programmes, including in-depth knowledge of related administrative, operational and financial procedures;
Extent and relevance of experience working with governments, international organizations/resource partners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector, including project implementation by operational partners;
Excellent culturally aware interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners at all levels (ministry, donors, private sector, NGOs and local community-based organizations);
Extent and relevance of experience promoting inclusive project implementation at all levels of the project, including recruiting and leading an inclusive project team;
Extent and relevance of experience in analysing climate change impacts, agri-food systems/value chains, natural resources management and related issues;
Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation of technical and policy reports, guidelines and manuals;
