National Project Coordinator - Green Jobs

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:

a)    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate
b)    provide technical assistance and deliver core services
c)    assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation
d)    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
e)    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management

The Position is located Monrovia, Liberia. It specifically supports the implementation of the FAO Green Jobs for Youth in Resilient Agrifood System in Liberia. The project is regional project also implemented in Nigeria and Sierra Leone and funded by the Korean International Agency (KOICA).

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme and in collaboration with the Lead Technical Officers LTO based in the FAO Sub-Regional Office for West Africa (SFW) and the National project coordinator for Green Job will provide programme implementation support as follows:

Technical Focus

The National Project Coordinator (NPC) will provide overall technical, managerial and operational leadership for the implementation of the Green Jobs for Youth in Resilient Agrifood Systems in Liberia Project. The incumbent will ensure effective delivery of project outputs and outcomes aimed at improving youth employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, skills development, and sustainable livelihoods within resilient and climate-smart agrifood systems

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the responsibility of the FAO Representative in Liberia, the overall supervision of the Assistant FAOR – Programmes, and the technical supervision of the Green Jobs Programme Officer, the Coordinator will be responsible for the coordination, implementation and monitoring of the Green Jobs for Youth in Resilient Agrifood Systems in Liberia, ensuring timely delivery of outputs and results. In particular, the Green Jobs National Coordinator will:

•    Coordinate the planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities in Liberia, ensuring alignment with the project workplan, budget and FAO quality standards;
•    Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communications with key counterparts, particularly relevant ministries and implementing partners;
•    Coordinate the implementation of “Outcome I: Expanded green employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the agrifood sector”, and specifically:
    o    oversee the identification, selection and engagement of project beneficiaries, partners and service providers in accordance with selection criteria;
    o    coordinate the implementation of activities related to the development and delivery of training programmes, and particularly of the Soft Skills training, ensuring quality, inclusiveness, and adaptiveness of the modules to the national context;
    o    coordinate the implementation of financial support schemes for rural youth, namely the Wage Employment Programme (WEP) and the Green Entrepreneurship Programme (GEP) and the activities linked to them, including the establishment and operation of wages and grants payment mechanisms, mentorship programmes, business development services, and youth networking initiatives, among others;
    o    ensure effective coordination with government institutions, training providers, youth organizations, private sector actors and other relevant stakeholders involved under Outcome I;
•    Coordinate the implementation of “Outcome II: Improved enabling environment for promoting green jobs in agrifood systems”, and specifically:
    o    oversee all research and policy-related assessments;
    o    coordinate development and implementation of national roadmaps
    o    coordinate activities associated to improved service delivery, including support to TVET and agricultural extension systems 
•    Prepare high-quality technical and operational reports, workplans, progress updates and other project documentation required;
•    Promote the integration and streamlining of youth inclusion and gender equality across activities within the FAO country office in Liberia;
•    Perform other related duties as required for the successful implementation of the project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Advanced university degree in international development, public administration, business administration, environmental studies, economics, agricultural or development studies, social sciences or other related fields.
•    5 years of relevant work experience in green jobs, agricultural policy, agricultural business models, rural development, decent rural employment and youth employment issues or international development;
•    excellent command of written and oral English; working knowledge another FAO language is an asset (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian) 
•    National of Liberia

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical and Functional Skills

•    Excellent knowledge of local languages;
•    Excellent command of Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and others).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION