Organizational Setting

The main aim of FAO Country Office, headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO Kyrgyzstan assists the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to develop policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO participates in the development and implementation of field projects in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development. This requires the integration within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at increasing production and productivity, addressing climate change, and managing natural resources; and enhance rural livelihoods.

In this context, the FAO is implementing in collaboration with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the GCF- funded project “Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investment in Forests and Rangelands (CS-FOR)” (GCP/KYR/020/GCF). Project activities are aligned to the immediate needs, as well as longer term development challenges associated with Agenda 2030 and beyond. The project objective is to increase carbon sequestration through supporting climate investments in forests and rangelands and through reducing drivers of degradation and emissions via institutional support, participatory ecosystem-based sustainable management of natural resources and green growth investments. This assignment will contribute to project objective, such as to contribute to the development of a low carbon-emission and climate-resilient economy, while capitalizing important co-benefits from adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAOR and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative, Lead Technical Officer and Chief Technical Advisor, the incumbent will be responsible for the overall management of the project, including the mobilization of all project inputs, supervision over Operational Partners Implementation Modality (OPIM), project staff, consultants, and sub-contractors, performance M&E plan

Technical Focus

Natural resource management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, economics, value chains development,
The incumbent will be tasked with the day-to-day management/monitoring of project activities, as well as with technical, financial and administrative reporting. The prime responsibility is to ensure that the project produces the planned outputs and achieves the planned indicators and indicator targets by undertaking necessary activities specified in the Operational Partners Agreements (OPAs) to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. This will require monitoring the indicators to the work plan to ensure Results-Based Management.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will report to FAOR for all the project’s substantive and administrative issues. Incumbent will be responsible for meeting Operational Partners (OP) obligations under the Operational Partners Agreement (OPA) and will perform a liaison role with the Government, FAO, OP and other UN Agencies, NGOs and other project partners.
In particular the incumbent will:
•    Supervise and coordinate effectively/efficiently the project to ensure its results are in accordance with the logical frame, annual workplan and budget (AWP/B), Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E Plan), Risk Mitigation Plan, Co-financing plan.
•    Assume primary responsibility for daily project management – both organizational and substantive matters – budgeting, planning and general monitoring of the project.
•    Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback between the partners of the project, stakeholder engagement.
•    Ensure adherence to the project’s work plan, prepare revisions of the work plan, justification of budget revision, revision of work plan if required.
•    Assume overall responsibility for the proper handling of logistics related to project workshops and events.
•    Prepare, and agree with FAO on terms of references for national and international consultants and subcontractors.
•    Guide the work of consultants and subcontractors and oversee compliance with the agreed work plan.
•    Maintain regular contact with FAO Country Office and the Operational Partner on project implementation issues of their respective competence.
•    Monitor the expenditures, commitments, and balance of funds under the project budget lines, and draft project budget revisions.
•    Assume overall responsibility for meeting financial delivery targets set out in the agreed annual work plans, reporting on project funds, and related record keeping.
•    Prepare the annual project Work Plan and Budget, including analysis and reporting.
•    Prepare staffing and procurement plans for Budget Holder, request recruitment and procurement process based on work plan of project activities.
•    Provide project management training to Operational Partners (OP) for FAO environmental/climate finance projects under OPIM or AWP/B.
•    Backstop Technical M&E matters.
•    Ensure procurement and financial management for the entire project implementation and execution in line with the FAO policies and OPAs.
•    Provide technical guidance as necessary for project implementation.
•    Conduct supervision and oversight missions at least twice a year including regular briefing to the OPA Authorized Officer at NDA (National Designated Authority) as well as other OP Authorized Officers on project progress.
•    Liaise with project partners to ensure their co-financing contributions are provided within the agreed terms.
•    Assume overall responsibility for reporting on project progress vis-à-vis indicators in the Project Results Framework.
•    Undertake any other actions related to the project as requested by FAO, GCF or OP.
•    Act as a Secretary of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and invite for meetings on behalf of the National Project Director as stated in the Terms of Reference of PSC.
•    Assure technical coordination among consultants to be hired.
•    To take the mandatory courses within the 1st week of employment.
•    Perform any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    A university degree in Engineering, Management or Environmental Sciences or related fields.
•    5 years of experience in natural resource management and project/program management.
•    Working knowledge of English, and Russian languages.
•    Working knowledge of Kyrgyz language.
•    National of the Kyrgyz Republic.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Proven management expertise, managarial skills,  – must be able to fluidly handle the political, technical, and people management challenges that will face the NPC on a daily basis. This is first and foremost the most important qualification.
•    Proven communication skills, with governmental authorities, national and international experts, and local communities.
•    Proven leadership skills demonstrated ability to promote new approaches and new practices.
•    Systematic and efficient approach to work assignments, good judgment, and analytical ability.
•    Working experience with ministries, national institutions, agriculture and  forestry sector in Kyrgyzstan;
•    Ability to effectively coordinate a large, multi-stakeholder project;
•    Ability to administer budgets, train and work effectively with counterpart staff at all levels and with all groups involved in the project;
•    Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search;
•    Strong knowledge of sustainable forest and land management issues in Kyrgyzstan, including the political, institutional, and socio-economic contexts;
•    Strong knowledge and experience in regional and international forestry and agriculture strategies, programs, and implementations.
•    Knowledge of the UN system and GCF procedures is an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION