Back Emergency and Resilience Specialist

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: 

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

The project \" Emergency and Resilience related programmes/projects such as TCP/NEP/4008, OSRO/NEP/089/CHA, and other emergency and resilience related \" that the National Project Personnel - Emergency and Resilience Specialist at FAO Nepal, the incumbent will support the process for formulation of the A-DRMP. The incumbent will work in close coordination with Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), other relevant organizations, departments and ministries at federal, province and local level. 

Reporting lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Nepal, direct supervision of Emergency and Resilience Coordinator, and in technical coordination at FAO-RAP the incumbent will provide support in the area of emergency preparedness, humanitarian response, early recovery linking with long term development and resilience building to the country office.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The Emergency and Resilience Specialist will be responsible to carry out the following tasks:
•    Assist in the preparation of project proposals/documents, project briefs, project progress/final reports, background papers, sections of reports and studies.
•    Active participation in relevant humanitarian coordination mechanisms and contribute to interagency coordination meetings and programming exercises including DRR, preparedness, early warning, early action, EW4ALL, anticipatory action and humanitarian responses.
•    On behalf of FAO as Co-lead to the Food Security Cluster, actively support to smooth functioning of cluster activities in collaboration with lead ministry and members of the clusters and advocate for increased FAO role in emergency response and recovery actions promoted by the cluster;
•    Participate in joint needs assessments and assist in sector-specific assessments ensuring that the specific needs of vulnerable groups, farming communities (socio-economic, gender, age and food security status) are identified, addressed, and that commitments on accountability to affected populations are met;
•    Contribute to the preparation of other need-based emergency response, recovery and resilience related project proposals including budgets and facilitate their smooth implementation in collaboration with relevant partners and service providers;
•    Prepare technical specifications of procurement items/inputs/services, TORs for the short term-consultants as well as mission TORs of the technical backstopping officers and process for required clearances/approvals;
•    Provide support on undertake outreach and capacity building activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, including review meetings and workshops and make presentations on assigned topics/activities;
•    Support to the preparation of periodic progress, technical and financial reports, including various written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.;
•    Contribute to the development of advocacy and outreach plan, including key messages, communication material such as Executive and ad-hoc Briefs, Situation Reports, audio and visuals etc;
•    Assist in policy and strategies development including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, etc.;
•    Establish and maintain regular contacts with partners including donors, and ensures the provision of updated information on FAO assessments, response plans, and activities;
•    Collect and compile data on programme/ project activities to support reporting on programme/ project delivery.
•    Process, format and proof-read reports, documents, publications, and correspondence related to the work of the Country office from draft texts. 
•    Review and direct correspondence, calls and queries to appropriate contacts; provide for background information; respond to routine enquiries.
•    Assist in the organization of policy dialogues, workshops and consultation meetings and preparation for project periodic reviews, field monitoring and supervision missions in close consultation with programme team, government counterparts and other relevant stakeholders.
•    Make arrangements for meetings, seminars and events: implement logistics, prepare meeting minutes, correspondences, compile and distribute documents, support in administrative arrangements.
•    Enter, select, analyze, and summarize data from various sources, including FAO corporate systems, such as COIN (Country Office Information System), FPMIS (Field Programme Management Information System), Global Resource Management System (GRMS), country databases, etc to support programme operations.
•    Maintain log, file and update records in prescribed format for subsequent use.
•    Participate in project monitoring by maintaining current registers and controlling tools on the status of projects at various stages; review inputs, expenditures, and time frames according to work plans; make necessary abstracts and computations; detect inconsistencies. 
•    Carry out other specific operational tasks for programme/ project implementation as requested. 
•    Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Master’s degree with 2 years’ experience or Bachelor’s degree with 5 years experience in agriculture, disaster risks management, climate change, Environmental Science/Natural Resources Management and/or relevant discipline with practical and policy level experiences in in the relevant fields.
•    Working knowledge of English.
•    National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Candidate should have a knowledge of computer skills (MS office package: word, excel and PowerPoint)
•    Experience with similar internationally funded projects will be an added advantage.
•    The ability to drive motorbike/ scooter with valid licence will be an added advantage having experience of working with multi-disciplinary team will have an advantage.
•    Experience in managing agricultural infrastructure projects, including cost estimation, technical design, and monitoring.
•    Proven track record of providing technical guidance and training to farmers and local communities.
•    Experience working with international organizations or NGOs on agriculture or rural development projects (preferred).
•    Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
•    Proven ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including government bodies.
•    Proven track record of advising and collaborating with government institutions, stakeholders, and local government.

Selection Criteria 

•    Experience of working with the UN agencies, I/NGOs, MOALD, MOFE, MOHA, NDRRMA, provincial ministries and departments etc. 
•    Experience in developing climate change adaptation, DRM and disaster preparedness plans, preferably in the agricultural sector
•    Excellent stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills and ability to coordinate with diverse stakeholders. 
•    Extent of relevant technical experience in the areas related.
•    Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team. 
•    Proven experience in the areas mentioned above.
•    Strong work ethic, well-organized, result-focused, good team player and dynamic personality.
•    Previous experience of working with UN agencies is an asset. 
•    Proven writing and reporting skills. 
•    Ability to operate under pressure and good interpersonal skills.
•    Prior working experience with development partners and government of Nepal.
•    Strong inter-personal skills to work with a diverse and large stakeholders and excellent oral communication skills.
•    Knowledge of Computer skills in MS office package (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION