National Project Coordinator

Organizational Setting

FAO in Lao PDR is implementing the project “The project for “Enhancement of Livelihood Resilience in Rural Areas”” no GCP/LAO/034/JPN. The project is funded by the Government of Japan. The Government of Japan has supported the successful first phase project to help most rural communities in Laos respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

This project targets 48 villages in Luang Prabang and Oudomxay Provinces to contribute to poverty reduction, food and nutrition security and resilience of rural households in Lao PDR. They will receive Climate-Smart Villages approach measures, support for small-scale agribusiness, and critical productive infrastructure (such as small-scale irrigation, water harvesting, and flood and drought mitigation measures). Simultaneously, the project will strengthen the sustainable improvement of rural households’ incomes and livelihoods through climate-resilient, high-value agriculture and support infrastructure.

Reporting Lines

Under the functional supervision of the FAO Representative in Lao PDR, the CTA and in close collaboration with the International Project Coordinator, Lead Technical Officer at FAO RAP, and other project team members.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will closely collaborate with FAO staff at country and regional level as well as with government counterparts and other implementing partners and stakeholders. Specifically focus could be on Project Management, Administrative, Finance, Operational and another programme related to Climate Smart Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food security coordination and operations.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Coordinate and manage day-to-day project activities including preparation of the project work-plan, facilitating necessary government clearance for implementation, monitoring of the distribution, and monitoring the progress of the project implementation through developing project implementation monitoring package.
•    Coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for the implementation of the project.
•    Manage consultants and implementing partners for project activities, and facilitate interactions between the different partners to ensure smooth and coordinated implementation of different activities/outputs of the project;
•    Work closely in collaboration with the International Project Coordinator to ensure high quality & timely delivery of planned project activities in compliance with FAO administrative and financial rules and regulations;
•    With support of project team and international project coordinator, prepare Terms of References to mobilize inputs from Letters of Agreement, prepare training packages, and specific FAO technical support needed for the different outputs;
•    In collaboration with International Project Coordinator, prepare all required technical reports, project concept notes, proposals and briefing documents and related information.
•    Organize the missions of the FAO Representation staff and international consultants and provide translation support to the international consultants during their mission in the target areas as required.
•    Work closely with the project field staff and implementation partners in selecting beneficiaries; small scale infrastructure activities; monitoring and report on distribution of inputs and development of small=scale value chains.
•    Lead the organization of the Project Steering Committee meetings and other project regular reviews.
•    Ensure the implementation of the communications and visibility plan of the project.
•    Contribute to the further development of FAO’s resilience building programme and resource mobilization in Lao PDR if needed.
•    Contribute to the preparation of Project Final Report.
•    Get approval of the documents and reports with the international consultant as well as the LTO of the project
•    Perform other duties when required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Master’s degree in agriculture management, data management, project management, natural resources, rural development, and other related fields of the organization;
•    At least 7 years of relevant experience in project management, training and mentoring;
•    Working knowledge of English;
•    National of Lao PDR.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work
•    Management skills;
•    Quality of both oral and written communication skills;
•    Ability to plan and organize institutional and technical work and support work of multi-disciplinary teams;
•    Extent of relevant experience in program/project management;
•    Demonstrated analytical, negotiating and advisory skills;
•    Computer literacy;
•    Specific experience of project management and organizing technical workshops or webinars;
•    Experience working with the international organizations including INGOs, bilateral or multi-lateral agencies and/ or UN agencies is desirable
•    Experience to work with government authorities.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION