Country Hub Coordinator and Agroforest Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing “Transboundary integrated sustainable management of the Miombo Woodlands between Mozambique and Zimbabwe” project, financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation AICS in the Provinces of Manica. The project aims to Protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of the Miombo woodland ecosystems in Mozambique and Zimbabwe, enhancing rural livelihoods and addressing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. This is achieved through:
• Establishing mechanisms for information exchange and harmonisation of policies and legal frameworks between the two countries.
• Supporting climate investment planning in agrifood systems in each participating country, including system-level analyses of climate priorities, financial gap assessments, resource mobilization plans, and matching investment needs with potential funding sources.
• Building capacity in local communities for sustainable forest resource management and participatory forest monitoring.
• Encouraging community participation in the management of protected forests and develop alternative likelihoods and promote value chains based on nontimber forest products (NTFPs).

As such, the project primarily contributes to the progressive realization of Sustainable Development Goal 15: ” Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss,” and Goal 17: ” Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.” Additionally, it advances progress towards Goals 1 (end poverty), 5 (gender equality), and 13 (climate action). The project is also aligned with 2022 SADC protocol on forestry and the Maputo Declaration on sustainable and integrated management of miombo woodlands. In Mozambique the project the project is aligned with the 5-year government plan Priority III Strengthen the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and the Environment, including the National Forest Program (2019-2023) and implementation Strategy.
FAO is actively developing local and international partnerships with implementing and commercial partners to support these efforts. To effectively coordinate the implementation of the project, FAO Mozambique seeks to recruit a Country Hub coordinator – Agroforest Specialist to support the successful execution of the project.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Mozambique and the direct supervision of the Program Unit Coordinator, and technical guidance of the Environment and Natural Resources Program Specialist, the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) in the FAO Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS), and in close collaboration with the relevant staff in FAO Mozambique and counterpart entities.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will manage the project using the results-based management tools and provide support to the Monitory and Evaluation team of the FAO Representation. He/She will establish effective communication with relevant parties on project activities, whereas will be responsible to coordinate specific activities related to sustainable forest management and agroforestry management. He/She will also ensure the national political, institutional and socio-economic contexts are considered during the implementation of the activities.

Tasks and responsibilities

Overall project coordination:
• Support day-to-day project coordination and regular monitoring of project progress, results and risks, including social and environmental risks (provide advice to plan the activities of the project and monitor progress in achieving results at the output, outcome and impact level).
• Coordinate, manage and administer project tasks in line with FAO guidelines (including: coordination of recruitment processes of consultants, drafting terms of reference, administration of the budget ensuring the delivery of project activities as per indicated in the project workplan).
• Ensure that the standard FAO and AICS requirements are fulfilled to the highest quality.
• Coordinate with the District Field Technicians, the implementation of the field activities.
• Ensure fluid communication between all stakeholders of the project, including the Project Steering Committee (PSC), the Project Management Unit (PMU), and the Readiness Project Task Force (PTF).

Technical guidance and support:
• Organize the national project inception workshop in collaboration with FAO country office team and government stakeholders.
• Support and oversight the work of the consultants to be recruited, including support in drafting project concept notes, if required, providing a technical and strategic support based on national and global stakeholder´s requests. A particular focus on the agroforestry component will be requested.
• Ensure the delivery and required quality of project related studies, investment plans and all the other deliverables included in the national project workplan.
• Participate in the selection of the Local Implementing Partner as well as build and strengthen the technical and institutional capacities to hand over the project after the finalization of the project.
• Build / maintain a network with external centres of expertise on environment, private sector and finance (including private sector, national institutes, and NGOs), relevant for the project and having a potential role of identification of potential funding opportunities and co-development of concept notes.
• Build / maintain a network with strategic private and public sectors stakeholders and participate in events at national level (fairs, fora, roundtables, conferences or panels on strategic thematic for the project).
• Prepare workshop, training, and project progress reports to the AICS using standard formats, and submit to FAOR and SFS teams
• Support the provincial government and other key public and private stakeholders in strengthening public/private collaboration, including identifying capacity building needs and develop training plans, lead workshops, and monitor online and in-person presentations.
• Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues, such as gender, youth. communication and human rights, monitoring and evaluation.

Other Activities:
• Contribute to the project reporting needs, supporting the global team in the submission of donor reporting requirements.
• Perform any other related duties as may be requested by his/her directed supervisor and the project management bodies (PMU, PTF).
• Participate in sector dialogue relative to the environment and natural resources agenda including Climate Change.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Specific objectives on the agroforestry component
• Establish and oversee the establishing and operation of community nurseries to produce tree seedlings.
• Ensure the efficient production and distribution of high-quality tree seedlings from the community nurseries.
• Facilitate the setup of Agroforestry Systems (AFS) at the farm level, providing technical guidance and support as needed.
• Develop and deliver training programs for Smallholder Farmers (SHF) on agroforestry techniques and practices through Farmer Field Schools (FFS).
• Foster partnerships and collaborations with local and international stakeholders involved in agroforestry initiatives.
• Actively participate and deliver trainings to Smallholder Farmers, District Field Technicians of Public and Private sector, members of academia etc.
• Ensure adherence to the standards and requirements of carbon markets in all aspects of agroforestry implementation.
• Perform other tasks as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University Degree in Forestry, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Climate change, Rural Development, Environmental or Social Sciences, or closely related fields.
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in project management and/or coordination of environmental projects, or related disciplines with an international NGO, Government of Mozambique, or UN Organization in a multi-cultural office environment is required.
• Working knowledge of English and Portuguese.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Good understanding and familiarity with UN development and working methods, particularly with FAO policies, financial and budget, administration, and programming procedures.
• Working experience with ministries, national institutions and/or private sector in agriculture field.
• Experience in organizing stakeholder meetings or workshops with national participants.
• Experience in project concept note development is considered a strong asset.
• Experience in multi-stakeholder analysis, and in mobilizing or creating awareness about development projects.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with local communities and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team in remote and challenging environments.
• Familiarity with the ecological and socio-economic context of the Miombo woodlands in Mozambique and Zimbabwe is an advantage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION