Program Specialist

The incumbent will provide guidance and manage the planning, inception, and execution of CadRe Project and other related new hard pipeline projects, focusing on project outcomes and impacts as defined by project results framework indicators.

 Tasks and responsibilities

• Support FAO Somalia’s agriculture sector programming under the Country Programme Framework (CPF) 2022 -2025
• Provide guidance in the preparation and/or assessment of new programmes and projects.
• Ensure a result-based approach to project implementation, including maintaining a focus on project results and impacts as defined by project results framework indicators.
• Lead, manage and supervise the project implementation activities in collaboration with sector teams and implementing partners through regular consultations.
• Oversee field operations through direct contact with implementing partners, review and consolidate partner and field monitoring reports, analyse monitoring data and report on progress to the Sector Coordinator.

Regularly visit programme/project sites and monitor activities to: 

• Ensure they are in line with the project work plan, timelines, and logical framework indicators:
• Ensure that adequate technical services are available.
• Identify and take corrective actions as needed, and
• Inform project teams of immediate or predicted situations/issues that need resolution.
• Ensure the timely provision of project inputs (personnel, technical support services, subcontracts, training, equipment, and supplies) directly by the organization or, when appropriate, through contractors for timely project / programme implementation.
• Ensure the timely preparation and release of all required project/programme briefs and comprehensive reports for submission to donors and/or for corporate use.
• Facilitate and coordinate for the timely preparation of internal and external programme meetings with various stakeholders including donors and the government.
• Prepare analytical reports on project performance and share with sector coordinator and the other project task force.
• Lead the development of Concept notes and project proposals prepared by the sector to source for funding in line with Somalia context.
• Coordinate the preparation of needs assessments and briefs and ensure timely dissemination of information to the donor community, UN agencies and NGOs, in close consultation with the Programme Management Unit.
• Work closely with stakeholders i.e. government authorities on issues related to programme planning, implementation, and reporting.
• Monitor works of implementing partners while ensuring project activities are running in accordance with FAO’s Risk management Framework and ensure timely implementation and accomplishment of Agriculture sector project activities as per the agreed work plan.
• Review monitoring reports to assess interim impact and causes of potential bottlenecks in implementation, and report major findings through.

 CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

 Minimum Requirements 

• University degree in agriculture, agronomy, sustainable agriculture, agribusiness/Value chain development and management or other relevant discipline from a reputable institution.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in supporting project management in the field of value chain/market systems analysis and development, food systems analysis and development, systems analysis and development, or other related areas.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian for COF.REG. Working knowledge of English (level C) for PSA.SBS.

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2401670