Project Coordinator

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• 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

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure 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. 
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
•    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
•    assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
•    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
•    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The project “Building a Resilient Churia Region in Nepal” (BRCRN) was approved by the 24th meeting of the Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in November 2019 and is Nepal’s first full-size GCF project. FAO, as the nominated Accredited Entity (AE) for the project, is responsible to the GCF for implementation of the project and is also co-Executing Entity (EE) with the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) of the Government of Nepal (GoN). The BRCRN project is being implemented in 26 critical river systems in the southeast region of Nepal, covering parts of Koshi, Madhesh and Bagmati Provinces, linking the Churia hills and upper Tarai, and aims to promote widespread adoption of climate-resilient land use practices, confront the challenges of deforestation and forest degradation, better maintain the forest ecosystem in the Churia hills, and build resilience to climate-induced hazards.

In its capacity as co-EE, FAO has provided intensive technical support developing the detail plans for the project investment, capacity development of the relevant national, provincial and local institutions for project implementation, ensuring quality of the technical services provided through project implementing partners/service providers, and providing technical advice to the project management team. The FAO TA component provides the managerial as well as technical advisory services as required for the project implementation. The Project Manager leads the FAO-TA team, overseeing support for implementation of project activities according to the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) approved by the Project Steering Committee (PSC).

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), and in close coordination with the programme and administration teams of FAO Nepal, as well as the BRCRN National Project Director under MoFE, and under the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer at FAO RAP—working in coordination with the wider REDD+–NFM cluster team at FAO Headquarters and across the Asia–Pacific region—the Project Manager will undertake the assigned responsibilities

Technical Focus

The Project Coordinator will lead the technical assistance component of the BRCRN project, ensuring high quality, timely, and accountable delivery of FAO’s commitments as co Executing Entity. S/he will guide the development and implementation of annual work plans and budgets, oversee technical support to the PMU under MoFE, and ensure compliance with the Project Implementation Manual and GCF requirements. The role focuses on managing and mentoring the FAO-TA team, coordinating with government and provincial partners, ensuring quality control of technical services, and strengthening project monitoring, reporting, procurement, and knowledge management systems. The Project Coordinator will also maintain strategic communication with stakeholders to facilitate effective, transparent, and impactful project implementation.

Tasks and responsibilities

Coordinate technical support to PMU MoFE
•    Facilitate preparation of project implementation strategies, annual plan and budget 
•    Support and ensure compliance of EEs (MoFE and FAO TA) with the provisions of the Project Implementation Manual (PIM)
•    Support National Project Director (NPD) PMU MoFE in project team building and management, and provide continuous, effective counterpart support from FAO TA team.
•    Support NPD in implementing decisions of project steering committee.

Delivery of outputs and activities under FAO TA component 
•    In coordination with PMU MoFE, provincial government partners and other national stakeholders, develop AWPB for TA component implementation.
•    Provide leadership for FAO-TA team under the project, with respect to FAO-TA members of PMU, international and national technical personnel, including clear protocols for team meetings, decision-making and internal relationships.
•    Quality control of technical service provision, through management of consultant and service provider contracting process, procurement and feedback to PMU and FAO PTF.
•    Develop and maintain financial record system, project database, and operational modalities, in line with PIM, FAO internal online management systems, and suitable for external auditing, according to FAO’s AMA with GCF. 
•    Prepare and implement bi-annual procurement plan for TA, with the approval from FAOR Nepal.

Coordination and communication with FAO, MOFE, provincial ministries stakeholders and other relevant international, national and provincial organizations for effective project implementation
•    Serve as counterpart to NPD PMU MoFE on behalf of FAO, maintaining regular, open and transparent communication channel.
•    Maintain relationship and communication channels with development partners, CSOs and representatives of Indigenous Peoples and ethnic minority groups, research and scientific community and national and provincial government institutions. 
•    Identify and maintain appropriate links with FAO projects and programmes through coordination with national, regional and global technical teams.
•    Oversight of knowledge management and dissemination of project outputs and technical products.
•    Provide regular inputs to stakeholder bodies including PSC and Provincial Project Coordination Committees (PPCCs) and respond to issues and queries raised in transparent and timely manner.

Monitoring and reporting of project
•    Coordinate inputs from FAO TA team and PMU personnel to develop regular operational and financial reports, against targets and deliverables in the results framework, according to the format and the template agreed with MoFE, reflected in PIM, and in line with FAO and GCF requirements.
•    Manage internal and external monitoring and evaluation processes, including field missions and liaison with project management bodies (PSC, PPCC, PMU, PPMU etc) 
•    Support to PMU MoFE to prepare bi-annual and annual performance report for submission to GCF Secretariat, and any related communication and reporting as required under the Funded Activity Agreement between FAO and GCF.
•    Perform other relevant tasks as assigned by FAOR

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    Master’s degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Climate Change, Environment or a related field.
•    10 years of relevant professional experience in the development and implementation of large scale environmental or climate projects, funded by the GCF or other major international climate/environment funds. 
•    Working knowledge of English
•    National of Nepal

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Strong skills in project planning, budgeting, procurement, and ensuring compliance with donor rules, including familiarity with Project Implementation Manuals (PIMs), monitoring frameworks, and results-based reporting.
•    Coordination with development partners, civil society, Indigenous Peoples’ groups, and provincial/local government institutions.
•    Knowledge management, documentation of project learnings, and stakeholder communication.
•    Familiarity with FAO policies and systems, or those of other UN agencies, is an advantage.

Selection Criteria

•    10 years of relevant experience in managing climate change, forestry, or natural resource management projects. (management of GCF/GEF projects will be considered an asset)
•    Strong experience in team leadership, coordination, and stakeholder engagement with government and development partners.
•    Proven ability in project planning, budgeting, procurement, and compliance with donor requirements.
•    Strong skills in monitoring, reporting, and managing technical deliverables.
•    Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure and deliver results.
•    Experience working with UN agencies is an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/  
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/ 
•  Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. 

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions. 

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

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• 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.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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