Program Specialist (Agriculture Emergency)

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The key mission of the FAO Representation in Somalia, which is led by FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist and support the national government to develop policies, strategies and programme aimed at accelerating the Implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in FAO’s global mandate and Strategic Objectives. More specifically, FAO’s response aims to address national needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, developing agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources and respond to recurrent emergencies. The current portfolio of activities of the FAO Representation in Somalia includes a wide scope of technical support interventions ranging from policy support through livestock and crop production, to natural resource management, Nutrition, value chain, food security analysis and water and land information management. FAO is also implementing several emergency, resilience-building, and development interventions, with the support of its five field offices and close to 400 staff in partnership with the Federal and State line ministries.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Somalia, the general supervision of Head of Program and the direct supervision of the Agriculture Sector Coordinator.

Technical Focus

The incumbent guide and manage the planning, inception, and execution of Agriculture Emergency Programme interventions that include Cash Agriculture, inputs distribution, and river embankment rehabilitation

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Tasks and responsibilities

• Lead and contribute concept notes/ project proposals design and development for Agriculture Emergency Programme.
• Lead and Coordinate the Agriculture Emergency Programmes’ planning, geographical targeting, implementation and reporting activities.
• Support in the development of new approaches and design of various agriculture emergency preparedness and response strategies, policies and operational.
• Support the documentation and implementation of best practices and lessons learnt throughout the project cycle.
• Monitor the Agriculture Emergency Programme budget commitments and expenditures in relation to the achievement of project objectives and activities and implement corrective measures when needed.
• Coordinate with key program support functions, including Operation, Compliance, M&E, Logistics and Procurement units to ensure smooth implementation of Agriculture Emergency Programme Project activities.
• Preparation of terms of reference and tendering documentations for Agriculture Emergency Programme Implementing Partners/Service Providers (IPs/SPs) to support in the implementation of the Agriculture Emergency Programme and coordinate the process of evaluation and selection of potential IPs/SPs.
• Support in drafting and amending the Letters of Agreements/Understandings (LOAs/ LOUs) for the relevant ministries and IPs/SPs/
• Review field reports submitted by the IPs/SPs
• Monitor the implementation of LoAs/ LOUs and commercial contracts and identify areas that require immediate attention.
• Prepare technical specification for Agriculture Emergency Programme inputs and participate in technical evaluation in the procurement process and follow up on timely delivery of Agriculture Emergency Programme inputs
• Advise the technical review team on analysis of the submitted bids in line with FAO’s procurement guidelines and the related Agriculture Emergency Technical Terms of Reference.
• Ensure quality control and assurance of Agriculture Emergency Programme inputs used in FAO emergency interventions in Somalia.
• Lead the market survey exercise to determine the feasibility of the voucher scheme, voucher prices and produce market survey report.
• Coordinate the process of agro dealers’ selection process for the implementation of the Agriculture Emergency Programme Voucher scheme.
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to conduct season-based project assessments including the Post Distribution Survey (PDS) and Crop Yield Assessment (CYA) process, through facilitating field data collection and preparation of the analysis report.
• Support the cash transfer planning with Cash Agriculture Emergency Programme intervention in sequence to ensure timely deliveries.
• Support the maintenance of an up-to-date cash transfer/disbursement status weekly updates.
• Liaise with Finance to ensure all documentation for payment is prepared to facilitate timely payments to beneficiaries and implementing partners, and reimbursements to Money Venders (MV) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).
• Coordinate and follow up action on internal and external monitoring missions and compliance actions on Agriculture Emergency Programme.
• Represent the Agriculture Sector Coordinator in inter-agency coordination meetings relating to Agriculture Emergency Programme in Food Security Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) and Agriculture Working Group (AWG) to provide technical guidance to Somalia FSC membership on key agricultural issues pertinent to humanitarian intervention
• Disseminate knowledge and capacity building on different Agriculture Emergency Programme approaches and modalities to the different implementing partners.
• Ensure nutrition is mainstreamed in Agriculture Emergency Programme activities in coordination with nutrition specialist
• Support the development and consolidation of Agriculture Emergency Programme training materials based on lessons learnt and new approaches incorporated into the programme.
• Prepare technical briefs/notes/situational reports on the progress of Agriculture Emergency Programme activities
• Provide regular updates/reports to the organization/donors in close collaboration with the communication and monitoring officers on the implementation of Agriculture Emergency Programme activities.
• Support and lead the drafting of the interim and final donor reports for Agriculture Emergency Programme projects.
• Any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Agriculture, agronomy, crop and plant sciences, food security, rural development or related fields. A first level degree with 2 years of additional experience may be considered as equivalent.
• A least 5 years of relevant experience, in complex environments and achieving results, preferably in post-conflict countries, and involving cash and agriculture, agricultural emergency programs, voucher schemes, and various approaches to emergency preparedness and response in agriculture, strategies, and operations, or related fields.
• Working knowledge (level C) of one FAO language relevant to the assignment; knowledge of a second FAO language is an asset.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevance of experience working in complex conditions and deliver results preferably in the post conflict countries.
• Extent and relevance of experience in program development, project planning, and forecasting
• Work experience in project implementation and management, tracking, and monitoring.
• Work experience in Capacity Development
• Extent and relevance of experience in partnership building and external relations.
• Familiarity with contractual issues, particularly as applied to publicly funded entities.
• Must possess computer skills MS Word, Excel, Power-point.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

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