Project Assistant

Mission and objectives

• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
• Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members – 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
• Join us in creating a world without hunger and poverty.

Context

• Through its Country Offices or Representations, FAO provides policy advice, technical assistances and investment supports to its member states in ending hunger, addressing malnutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development. The activities of the FAO Country Offices include advocating and formulation of relevant strategies and policies; introduction and dissemination of suitable approaches and technologies; design and implementation of country-tailored field projects; and liaison with government departments, UN Country Team, donor agencies and other development partners on subject matters related to FAO mandate areas. The FAO Representation in Malawi is developing and implementing field programmes and projects based on the FAO Country Programming Framework (CPF) in Malawi 2024-2028, focusing on three thematic priorities, including: 1) agriculture and food systems transformation; 2) sustainable natural resources management and environment protection; and 3) integrated disaster risk management and resilience building.
• The China-FAO-Malawi Tripartite South-South Cooperation Project on Technical Assistance in Support of the Agriculture Sector Wide Approach in Malawi (Phase II) is funded by Chinese Government and implemented by FAO in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture of Malawi. The project aims at increasing sustainable agricultural production, productivity and profitability in Malawi through provision of technical assistance in promoting horticulture (vegetable and fruit), agro-machinery and livestock (molecular diagnostic and veterinary laboratory) technologies. Specifically, the project will field five long-term experts and two short-term experts to Malawi from the People’s Republic of China; implement prioritized training activities for government extension workers, research staff and community farmers; organize overseas study tours for selected government staff; and provide materials and laboratory equipment for the purposes of demonstration and training.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the FAO Representative in Malawi or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Project Assistant will:

• Support communication between the Technical Expert Team (under the SSC Project) and the FAO country office, government counterparts and beneficiary groups through provision of oral and writing interpretations.
• Support the project team in translations of documents and materials (including training materials) related to the project, specifically from English to Chinese and vice versa
• Support the FAO Project Coordinator and the Project Support Specialist in formulating and implementing periodic project work and budget plans.
• Assist with implementation and facilitation of field training and demonstration activities planned under the project.
• Support project monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) activities, including preparation of periodic project progress reports.
• Support the FAO country office in partnership building and donor liaison for the purpose of project implementation and new pipeline building for broader South-South cooperation.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

As an active FAO Malawi team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to FAO Malawi and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

• Quality interpretation and translation services provided to the Technical Expert Team.
• Assistance provided to the formulation and implementation of periodic project plans.
• Contribution made to implementation of field training and demonstration activities.
• Contribution made to project monitoring, evaluation, learning activities and periodic reporting.
• Good partnership established and maintained with relevant partners.
• Support provided to new pipeline building for broader South-South Cooperation

Requirements

Required experience

• 3 years of experience in agriculture development, rural development, implementation of technical cooperation or investment projects.
• Working experience in South-South Cooperation is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization.
• Good skills in drafting, formulation and reporting.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
• Working knowledge of spoken and written English and Chinese is required

Languages

• English, Level: Fluent, Required
• Chinese, Level: Fluent, Required

Source: https://app.unv.org/opportunities/1773054996686080