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FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and nationality

People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

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Organizational Settings

The Programme Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative for Somalia and in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations and Administrative Units, in consultation with the relevant Technical Units and Cooperate Services at FAO headquarters, RAF and SFE, respectively.

The Programme Specialist reports directly to the FAO Representative for Somalia.

The programme Specialist will lead and coordinate the operational and programmatic support function of the field programme including emergency, rehabilitation and development projects, for both national and regional/global projects and provide strategic policy, political, programmatic and operational support to the FAO Representative for Somalia. He/she will also establish and maintain relations with government and external humanitarian and development actors operating in the country of assignment, and monitor the developments affecting agriculture, livestock, fisheries, cash-based intervention, SWALIM and FSNAU. Represent the Organization at meetings that address matters that fall within the mandate of FAO.

Government relations on programme areas\:

• Contribute to prepare the annual work plans for FAO Somalia to achieve the programme targets.
• Collaborate in strategic thinking and related plans to further develop and facilitate implementation of the FAO Somalia Programme.
• Collaborate with and support the FAO Representative in building a network of collaboration with governmental and organizational counterparts to facilitate programme coordination and promotion.
• Facilitate contact with government authorities, potential partners to explore partnerships and opportunities, supports negotiations of funding agreements and project proposals with governments, international organizations, private sector and civil society partners; Facilitate monitoring and compliance issues, and ensure submission of reports as required.
• Provide support to project operational and coordination matters including supporting activities related to the field programme (such as emergency, rehabilitation and development projects, for both national and regional/global projects), and takes necessary action, in consultation with the relevant unit, on problems that may arise during the execution period.
• Provide advice to the FAO Representative on programming, budgetary and administrative support related to country office activities and linkages to government priorities.
• Monitor and identify critical programme issues where FAO inputs/involvements are needed and organize information flows from external collaborators to programme unit.
• Lead and Support in government institutional capacity building and provide technical and facilitation support to policy formulation and strategies for promotion of agriculture in Somalia.
• Maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders throughout the project cycle, including supporting implementation.
• Work closely with stakeholder i.e. government authorities on issues related to programme planning, implementation and reporting;
• Maintain and nurture good working relations and communication between the FAO Somalia and the other stockholders to ensure maximum synergies to meet the greater objective of assisting the government and peoples of Somalia;
• Take the role of responsible officer for LoUs/LoAs with line ministries where necessary.

  Coordinate project implementation activities and provide technical support at each stage of the project cycle to the implementing partners\:

• Contribute to the preparation and/or assessment of new programmes and projects, and provide operational clearance as per the Organization’s standards;
• Coordinate the preparation of project work plans;
• Regularly visit programme/project sites and monitor activities to\: (i) ensure they are in line with the project work plan, time lines and logical framework indicators\: (ii) ensure that adequate technical services are available; (iii) identify and take corrective actions as needed, and (iv) inform project teams of immediate or predicted situations/issues that need resolution;
• Coordinate the timely preparation and release of all required project/programme briefs and comprehensive reports for submission to donors and/or for corporate use;
• Prepare analytical reports on project performance and share with sector coordinators and the other project task force;
• Ensure the timely provision of project inputs (personnel, technical support services, subcontracts, training, equipment and supplies) directly by the Organization or, when appropriate, through contractors for timely project / programme implementation;
• Monitor field operations, through direct contact with implementing partners, review and consolidate partner and field monitoring reports, analyse monitoring data and report on progress to the Sector Coordinators;
• Contribute to the development of Concept notes and project proposals prepared by the sectors for resource mobilizations in line with Somalia context;
• Contribute to the preparation of needs assessments and briefs and ensure timely dissemination of information to the donor community, UN agencies and NGOs, in close consultation with the relevant Programme team;
• Coordinate the project implementation activities in collaboration with Various sector teams and implementing partners through regular consultations;
• Closely supervise the works of implementing partners while ensuring project activities are running in accordance to FAO’s Risk management Framework and ensure timely implementation and accomplishment of Agriculture sector project activities as per the agreed work plan;
• Review monitoring reports to assess interim impact and causes of potential bottlenecks in implementation, and report major findings through structured briefs;
• Coordinate actions concerning the completion of field projects and arrange timely and adequate reporting, including identification of project follow-up requirements;
• Develop and maintain the master’s plan activities for the sector and update accordingly;
  Capacity building\:
• Based on the previous project experience assess the capacity development and recommend the capacity needs of implementing partners/stakeholders based on the expected project outcomes
• Inception training of the IPs/government/states on FAO’s Risk Management Framework, compliance and Accountability to Affected Populations, contractual obligations, voucher system and Money Vendor relationships;
• Represent the Organization at interagency meetings and other fora on matters related to FAO’s operational and programmatic approaches in Somalia;
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in political science, economics, institutional development, social anthropology , rural development or other relevant social sciences;
• Five years of relevant experience in establishing and maintaining relations with government and external humanitarian and development actors, coordination of project implementation activities and capacity building within Somalia or similar contex.

• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO Official languages\: French or Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian.

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

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions and more specifically in the horn of Africa is desirable;
• Excellent writing skills
• Knowledge and experience in socio-economic development and small business management
• Experience is writing training materials
• Experience in facilitating trainings and training of trainers

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

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