National Programme Specialist

This is an SC-9 level position and he/she will work under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, the Direct Supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in collaboration with the Deputy FAO Representative and the Assistant FAO Representative (Administration) and in consultation with the relevant technical units at FAO headquarters in particular OER and the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP).

The incumbent will lead the design and implementation of project activities for the Emergency and Resilience Unit (ERU) and contribute to the country’s programme and portfolio development as foreseen in the country programme Framework and the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP).

Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities of the incumbent will include, but not limited to the followings:

• Provide strategic guidance and leadership for FAO’s work in emergency and resilience in Bangladesh including preparedness, needs assessment, early response, recovery and rehabilitation, and resilience.
• Coordinate FAO’s preparedness, response, effective management and reporting to disasters and crises caused by cyclones, floods, landslides, droughts, earthquakes, etc. in collaboration with the Food Security Cluster, government partners, UN Agencies, NGOs and donors.
• Lead the identification, formulation and implementation of emergency and resilience projects, preparation of concept notes, project documents and reports related to emergency programming.
• Represent FAO and provide technical expertise in interagency coordination meetings, Food Security Cluster, Needs Analysis Working Group, working groups Anticipatory Actions Task Force, amongst other;
• Strongly support resource mobilization activities including corporate appeals, donor engagement, Central Emergency Revolving Fund (CERF)/Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation (SFERA) proposal preparation and submissions.
• Establish and maintain good relationships and effective communication with government institutions, UN Agencies, NGOs, donors and other humanitarian actors.
• Lead the identification of strategic priorities for FAO’s emergency and resilience agenda for effective management of responses to disasters and crises.
• Lead and contribute to the development and delivery of effective advocacy strategies, as well as the timely dissemination of information and crisis communications in the framework of the FAO’s knowledge management activities.
• Facilitate the preparation of appeals, briefs and comprehensive reports on FAO priorities and programmes in the country and ensure the timely dissemination of information to key stakeholders, including the Government, donor community, United Nations agencies and NGOs.
• Manage ERU staff and resources and ensure close linkages with FAO’s Office of Emergency and Resilience (OER) in Rome and emergency team in Bangkok for adequate backstopping support.
• Ensure timely delivery of approved emergency projects, including funding allocation, letters of agreement, procurement, personnel contracts, prepositioning, reporting and documentation and follow up advocacy for expansion.
• Provide advisory support to government institutions, humanitarian actors and NGOs to build their disaster management capacity, to strengthen early warning systems and disaster management systems.
• Any other task assigned by the FAO Representative & Supervisor.

Minimum Requirements:   

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

Technical/Functional Skills:

• Working knowledge of Bangla is preferable
• 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.

Source:  https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2500011