Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner to ensure zero hunger in the country. FAO provides support in three priority areas: sustainable increase in production and productivity, agriculture-based economic growth, and increased resilience of livelihoods to threats and crisis. The current portfolio of projects in Nigeria includes activities related to agriculture (crop), livestock, Fisheries, Natural Resource management and Food Security Information Management and Analysis.

The incumbent will contribute to the country’s programme and portfolio as foreseen in the project he/she will be assigned to provide technical support.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR), and direct supervision of the National Professional Officer for SURAGGWA Programme (National Project Coordinator) and in close collaboration with programme, operations and administration teams, the incumbent will deliver the following tasks and responsibilities:

Technical Focus

Programme development, coordination and operational assistance based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language and institutions of the country of assignment.

Tasks and responsibilities

Specifically, the incumbent will:

•    Develop and implement MEAL systems and tools, as well as monitoring and reporting instruments on: (a) technical/physical execution level; (b) financial management; (c) level of compliance with the indicators; (d) Compliance with the project schedule.
•    Collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data systematically throughout the project cycle, to monitor and ensure proper project implementation.
•    Generate learning, promote good practices, measure indicators of progress and impact, make suggestions for improvement, and inform in a timely manner for evidence-based decision-making.
•    Within the framework of the signed agreements and the documentation approved by the donor and FAO, propose improvements in the project's indicator system, to optimize and contribute to the measurement of the impact/internal and external evaluations, as well as the co-benefits of the intervention.
•    Establish and ensure the functioning of upstream (government, donors) and downstream (grantees) reporting mechanisms, including all relevant project stakeholders.
•    Ensure the generation of timely and relevant information for meetings with the General Coordination, the Project Work Team, the Steering Committee, and the Technical Committee of the SURAGWWA Project.
•    Lead the project in the work of articulation and information management for the application of the LOTTA evaluation.
•    Prepare and update, on a regular basis and in collaboration with the different specialists of the project management unit (PMU), technical and financial progress reports related to the implementation of the project. These reports will also cover FAO's corporate systems and applications.
•    Generate key information that feeds national statistics on food and agriculture, integrated watershed management, vegetation, or forest cover, and those linked to the SDGs safeguarded by FAO and linked to the goals of the Project.
•    Coordinate the project's field monitoring team and accompany them in the implementation of the project's monitoring plan.
•    Survey, systematize and analyse good practices and make key recommendations to ensure sustainability, lessons learned, and ideas for future interventions.
•    Coordinate and advise the specialists in databases, GIS, or others within their area, so that the technicians integrate and generate the information from the database of the SURAGGWA project.
•    Support in the monitoring of the execution of the contracts and agreements signed within the framework of the project.
•    Support in the preparation of projects’ external evaluation missions, where necessary, and assist in the implementation of recommendations and lessons learned, identified during the evaluation.
•    Support in the preparation, implementation and follow-up of the agenda of the technical missions of the International Monitoring Specialists.
•    Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by FAO.
•    Undertake any other actions related to the project as requested by FAO

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in statistics, economics, environmental studies, forestry, fisheries or any other field related to the work of the Organization.
•    Three years of relevant experience in agricultural development and/or project implementation in an area of FAO's activities in the country.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and Hausa.
•    National of Nigeria

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Poses competencies in the use of statistical software for data analysis (such as R, STATA, SPSS), or other tools considered relevant to the vacancy.
•    Experience with digital data collection platforms (KoBoToolbox, ODK, SurveyCTO) and GIS applications (ArcGIS/QGIS) is highly desirable
•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project development and management.
•    Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures, preferably' those adopted by the United Nations or FAO.
•    Extent and relevance of' experience in the field of policy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals as well as programme/project implementation, monitoring and review.

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.

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