National Project Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing the Zimbabwe-Mozambique Agriculture Value Chain and Trade Development Project, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The project aims to enhance the agricultural economies of the region by facilitating bilateral, regional, and international trade.

The project has two key intervention areas. The first focuses on supporting the government and relevant stakeholders in developing and implementing effective trade policy frameworks, operationalizing trade agreements, and providing comprehensive trade support to the private sector to deepen existing markets and create new opportunities. The second area emphasizes trade and investment facilitation, aiming to strengthen the capacity of economic agents along targeted value chains to meet quality standards and comply with trade regulations in international markets. Additionally, the project will assist the private sector in accessing new markets through export facilitation.

By expanding market opportunities and reducing trade barriers, the project will unlock new economic prospects and enhance trade relations between Mozambique and Zimbabwe, contributing to greater regional and international integration

Reporting Lines

The National Project Coordinator will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Mozambique, the direct supervision of the International Project Coordinator and the Agricultural Officer and follow the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) at the SFS Office in Harare.

Technical Focus

The National Project Coordinator will play a crucial role in defining and aligning public and private investment capacities to enhance trade and investment opportunities. This position involves providing strategic leadership and technical and operational support to key stakeholders in agribusiness and market development, spanning both the public and private sectors. The coordinator will convert identified market opportunities into actionable strategies for the private sector while ensuring that policy frameworks foster sustainable market growth.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Project Coordinator will:  
•    Coordinate all project activities, ensuring alignment with project goals and timelines.
•    Facilitate communication and cooperation between stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector entities, and international partners.
•    Support Government in improving the policy environment for trade enhancement through diagnostics and policy framework analysis.
•    Provide technical assistance in the operationalization of trade agreements and measures to address tariff or non-tariff related barriers, including phytosanitary trade protocols.
•    Enhance multi-sectoral policy dialogue between Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and other relevant markets to align policy and legal frameworks.
•    Provide trade support to the private sector, and especially micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) to cope with trade regulations and compliance requirements.
•    Promote agricultural trade export facilitation through (national, regional and international) business matchmaking, market days, and high-level investment forums.
•    Conduct diagnostics of critical enabling infrastructure and policies for trade promotion.
•    Map the barriers, opportunities and develop dedicated investment proposals to attract private investors and align public private partnerships and their investment capacities.
•    Support the capacity building activities connected to the project.
•    Support the inclusion of smallholder farmers into the export supply chain of large companies as outgrowers.
•    Contribute to the development of knowledge products, including analytical work and practical tools, related to trade and investment facilitation.
•    Lead public-private platforms and design strategies to strengthen the enabling environment for scaling up investments along the value chain.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Advanced university degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Engineering, Agribusiness, International Trade, Rural Development or another field relevant to the assignment.
•    At least five years of relevant professional experience in the management, coordination and implementation of development programmes or projects, preferably related to agricultural value chains, agribusiness development, market access, trade facilitation or private-sector development.
•    Working knowledge (Level C) of English and Portuguese.
•    National of Mozambique or resident in the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Demonstrated experience in planning, coordinating and implementing complex donor-funded development projects, preferably in agriculture, agribusiness, trade or rural economic development.
•    Proven experience in agricultural value chain development, including engagement with producers, producer organizations, SMEs, traders, processors, exporters and other private-sector actors.
•    Experience coordinating activities involving government institutions, private-sector organizations, development partners and other national and international stakeholders.
•    Experience in project planning, annual workplan preparation, budget monitoring, implementation tracking, risk management and preparation of technical and progress reports.
•    Experience supervising or coordinating technical personnel, consultants, implementing partners and service providers.
•    Knowledge of agricultural trade and value chain issues in Mozambique and, preferably, of cross-border trade and economic linkages between Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
•    Experience supporting market linkages, business-to-business engagement, SME development, trade promotion or investment facilitation would be an advantage.
•    Previous experience with FAO or another United Nations agency, and familiarity with FAO operational, administrative and reporting procedures, is highly desirable.

Selection Criteria

•    Extent and relevance of professional experience in coordinating and managing complex agricultural, agribusiness, value chain or trade-related development projects. 
•    Experience managing large scale complex humanitarian programmes. 
•    Experience working with government institutions, NGOs and humanitarian coordination mechanisms. 
•    Knowledge and practical understanding of agricultural trade, cross-border commerce, market systems and the regulatory environment affecting agricultural value chains. 
•    Demonstrated experience in project planning, workplan management, budget monitoring, results-based management, implementation monitoring and reporting. 
•    Knowledge of the Mozambican agricultural and agribusiness sector and familiarity with agricultural trade between Mozambique and Zimbabwe and/or within the Southern African region
•    Previous experience with FAO, the United Nations system or comparable international development organizations is considered an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION