Back National Project Coordinator

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. 

Reporting Lines

The National Project Coordinator shall operate under the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative in Georgia, the functional and technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) of FAO’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU), in close collaboration with the Technical Advisor/Rural Development Officer, other FAO Country Office staff in Georgia as well as with other FAO consultants and professionals in FAO REU and FAO Headquarters. The National Project Coordinator will also collaborate with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and other relevant state entities including from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and other national and international stakeholders in Georgia.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be recruited under the GCP/GEO/031/AUS project titled Inclusive Rural Development and Sustainable Agriculture. 
The overarching goal of the project is to foster increased competitiveness within the agricultural sector, enhance food production, and concurrently alleviate rural poverty, with a specific emphasis on mitigating inequality. This will be achieved by providing support for the effective execution of the Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy of Georgia 2021-2027.
Furthermore, the project's anticipated outcomes are intrinsically aligned with the thematic focus area of sustainable rural development and the enhancement of livelihood opportunities, as stipulated within the Framework Strategy of the Austrian Development Cooperation concerning the EU Eastern Partner Countries. The successful realization of these objectives is expected to catalyse significant positive change in the Georgian agricultural landscape, with far-reaching implications for rural development and economic growth. By complementing the LEADER approach, the project will emphasize inclusivity as a core principle, ensuring that all stakeholders are actively involved in project implementation.
The main role of the incumbent will be to coordinate and manage the project implementation. The technical components of the project include the overarching area of rural development and integrated community development with specific focus on supporting rural communities, extension service, producers’ groups, and vulnerable groups e.g. women and rural youth. The project will focus its interventions on selected municipalities (to be identified in the inception phase) as well as at national level. 

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Coordinate and ensure the cohesion and synergies between different components (outputs) of the project;
•    Day to day management and coordination of main components of the project, including field-level project activities, planning of delivery and supervision of activities of project staff. 
•    Contribute to consultative and other meetings and participate in workshops and other events related to agricultural and rural development, as appropriate;
•    Coordinate the preparation of the situation analysis (baseline assessment), which will be used to define baselines for project monitoring indicators;
•    Contribute to the preparation and lead the implementation of the project work plan, monitor progress and risks, where necessary, identify corrective measures to overcome operational and financial constraints; 
•    Draft and coordinate the preparation, the technical clearances and submission of progress reports and other relevant reporting. 
•    Monitor and ensure appropriate implementation of the project budget, monitor the transaction listing and as needed develop and submit budget revisions;
•    Ensure the timely provision and related coordination of project inputs (personnel, technical implementing partners, support services, sub-contracts, training, equipment and supplies) directly by the Organization or, when appropriate, through contractors, and by liaising with other support units; 
•    Effectively communicate and coordinate with the LTO, other Technical Officers, Operations, Finance, HR and Procurement teams in order to ensure the timely and appropriate project implementation in accordance with FAO rules and regulations.
•    Support the development of procurement plans, their subsequent execution and facilitate the drafting and clearance of technical specifications and other relevant documentation required; 
•    Draft, monitor and implement the required actions related to the budget status, transaction listings and budget revision;
•    Establish and develop a monitoring system, tracking the project performance in terms of deliverables and indicators as per the approved log frame;
•    Liaise and coordinate with the different project stakeholders and Service Providers contracted under LoAs/contracts; 
•    Ensure the organization and implementation of events and coordination meetings like Project Steering Committee ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are represented and actively engaged, act as secretary of the Project Steering Committee meetings In close collaboration with ADA office in Tbilisi, ensure that knowledge exchange is organized between different ADA-funded projects in the region; 
•    In close collaboration with relevant REU technical unit, establish technical linkages and visible information flow with REU and HQs on the areas of technical assistance;
•    Assess the needs for complementary expertise and provide support in the elaboration of TORs for additional key experts,as and when required;
•    Lead all operational project-related local planning and coordination meetings; 
•    Perform any other duty as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Advanced university degree in agricultural science, agricultural economics, rural development, economics or related fields;
•    At least 7 years of relevant practical field experience in agri-policy development and/or rural development; At least 3 years of practical experience as manager of international projects in the country including supervision of staff;
•    Working knowledge of English
•    National of the country of assignment 

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Computer literacy with spreadsheets, databases, data and analytical information management, Microsoft 
•    Excellent communication and analytical writing skills;
•    Work experience in UN/international organizations

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION