National Coordinator – Food Systems and Resilience

Organizational Setting

FAO is leading the roll-out of the 4-year project ‘Smart Agro-ecological Transformation of Farming Systems towards Resilience and Sustainability in Middle and Coastal Zones of the Viet Nam Mekong Delta’ (STAR-FARM) project, with support from the EU. The project aims to create an enabling environment for the establishment of sustainable value chains in the Mekong Delta of Viet Nam, based on agroecological approaches. FAO will take the management and coordination role in the consortium implementing the project. Besides FAO, the project consortium will involve research institutions (VAAS, IPSARD, CIRAD and IRD), under the leadership of the Government (MARD).

The project is looking for a qualified National Coordinator to be based in Hanoi to support the implementation and monitoring of project activities, as well as coordination with other consortium members.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative in Viet Nam (FAOR), day-to-day supervision by Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), technical oversight by Lead Technical Officer and International Technical Advisor.

Technical Focus

The National Coordinator will support the implementation and monitoring of project activities, as well as coordination with other consortium members.

Tasks and responsibilities

• In collaboration with the International Technical Advisor, lead in review of project document and preparation of annual work-plan and budget development in collaboration with government and project partners;
• In collaboration with the International Technical Advisor, lead in project outcome/ output/ activity/ budget preparation in discussion with other project partners;
• Lead in meeting/ consulting with donor partners, MARD, other relevant Government agencies, and other relevant international organizations;
• Support recruitment and management of required national and international consultants, including the development of the draft Terms of Reference;
• Coordinate monitoring of project implementation risks and work to ensure compliance with risk management strategies to meet FAO requirements for environmental and social safeguards.
• Advise on any required training or capacity building required to strengthen adherence to project safeguard and risk management strategies to meet FAO requirements for environmental and social safeguards.
• Contribute to overall project implementation, and coordinate project activities to ensure the smooth implementation and quality and timely delivery of project outputs;
• Monitor project progress and report to International Lead Technical Advisor and National Project Director about potential problems that could result in delays in implementation and suggest strategies to further project implementation;
• Support implementation and organization of field activities (technical and administrative support).
• Mobilize technical expertise as and when required;
• Coordinate with the FAO Country Office, FAO Lead Technical Officer (LTO), other National Experts;
• Ensure sufficient data/ information collection to support results based monitoring and project management and evaluation to measure the impact of project intervention;
• Coordinate preparation of the Project Implementation Report, midterm and final evaluation reports as defined in the project document;
• Assist in the organization of meetings, workshops and training activities;
• Undertake any other duties as required to ensure the successful delivery of the project outputs.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (at least a Master Degree) in agricultural studies, rural development, or related field;
• At least 5 years in public and/or private sectors related to programming, planning and technical cooperation in food and agriculture, including experience in developing countries,
• Working knowledge of English and Vietnamese (speaking and writing).
• National of Viet Nam.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Working experience in agriculture and rural development fields in Viet Nam.
• Extensive experience in the management of complex projects at national/regional levels.
• Good multi-cultural and interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners in Viet Nam at all levels (Ministries, donors, private sector, NGOs and local community-based organizations).
• Experience working with international and donor organizations on implementation of participatory projects.
• Proven written, analytical, computing, presentation and reporting skills.
• Experience in developing strategic documents, including work-plans and action plans.
• Strong writing skills, including experience preparing project documents, terms of reference (ToRs), sectoral briefs, and presentations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION