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.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and malnutrition. 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.
The project “Smart Farming for Sustainable Livelihoods”, being implemented in Honduras and Zambia funded by the Government of Korea. Building on the success of the Smart Farming approach in Vietnam and Uzbekistan, FAO aims to extend this experience to Zambia in collaboration with FAO’s Zambia office and key national and regional partners. The project will introduce and promote sustainable, smart farming systems, focusing on post-harvest management and marketing of vegetables grown in both protected and open-field systems. The initiative aims to enhance farmers' incomes by improving productivity, reducing production costs, and ensuring the quality of products in terms of nutrition and food safety. It will also promote efficient post-harvest practices to reduce food losses and increase market access. Additionally, the project will strengthen national capacity to develop and adapt technological innovations in smart agriculture for vegetable value chains.
FAO is also implementing the project Transforming city region food systems by reducing food loss and waste in local food production and supply systems (GCP/GLO/1198/GER) project in Medellin (Colombia) and in Lusaka (Zambia) funded by the Government of Germany (BMEL). Through the project, FAO seeks to reduce FLW (food loss and waste) by implementing actions for prevention, reduction, recovery, reuse, and recycling in priority vegetable commodities with high nutritional value. The project aims are to demonstrate how sustainable practices in short-cycle vegetable production can enhance small-scale farmers' ability to reduce FLW, optimize practices and technologies, and improve market access, while creating job opportunities.
Reporting Lines
The National Project Coordinator will work in the FAO Representation in Zambia under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) and direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR Programmes. The Coordinator will work closely with the FAO Zambia project coordinators and with the Programme Coordinator at FAO Headquarters (NSP) and will be responsible for both operational and technical management, including oversight of key project staff under the two projects.
Technical Focus
To provide overall coordination, strategic planning, and technical, operational, and administrative oversight of both projects in Zambia, by ensuring the effective implementation of the activities in prioritized areas, and facilitating collaboration between stakeholders, including the Government at different levels (National and local level), technical institutions, and project beneficiaries. The Coordinator must ensure that projects objectives and outcomes are achieved in a collaborative manner, building the necessary complementarities, optimizing the resources and expertise allocated, in line with priorities set by FAO and the Zambian Government.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Coordinate Project Activities: Effectively coordinate the Smart Farming and CRFS Projects in Zambia, ensuring alignment with the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and national priorities.
• Develop and Strengthen Partnerships: Foster and strengthen partnerships with national institutions, including Zambia's Ministry of Agriculture, Lusaka City Council, and other stakeholders.
• Establish Collaborations and Synergies: Establish collaborations and synergies with other research and development initiatives relevant to both projects.
• Monitor Project Progress: Continuously monitor project progress to ensure the adoption of sustainable technologies by farmers, enhancing crop productivity and quality while reducing losses and waste.
• Manage Project Administration: Oversee project administration and operations, including Letters of Agreement, contracts, procurements, and other related tasks.
• Plan, Execute, and Report: Ensure timely planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting of project activities and results according to FAO's standards and timelines.
• Support M&E Activities: Support and contribute to monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tasks proposed by the project.
• Scale Up Technologies: Create an enabling environment for scaling up technologies and facilitating their adoption by other agricultural sector actors.
• Communicate Project Results: Support the communication of project progress and results through the FAO Zambia communication's office.
• Manage Knowledge: Contribute to knowledge management activities through writing blog articles, preparing knowledge exchanges, and other complementary materials.
Specific tasks
• Ensure the collaboration between the Smart Farming and CRFS project to maximize the resources and expertise allocated, creating collaborative conduction of activities and supporting the same group of beneficiaries.
• Hold regular technical meetings with national and international partners to ensure alignment and activity execution.
• Develop technical and financial reports reflecting project progress and outcomes for FAO the Government of Germany and the Government of the Republic of Korea.
• Oversee and evaluate the performance of implemented technologies, providing recommendations based on impact assessments.
• Develop informational and educational materials in collaboration with Zambia’s Ministry of Agriculture and the Lusaka City Council, adapted to local conditions.
• Support baseline socio-economic surveys and studies within the project’s target areas.
• Coordinate technical training for farmers, ensuring workshops and training sessions cover the promoted technologies and practices.
• Ensure effective communication of results and lessons learned to all stakeholders.
• Identify potential risks and propose mitigation strategies in anticipation to ensure project success.
• Facilitate the implementation of a monitoring and evaluation system to assess project impact and applied technologies.
• Oversee proper project administration and operations, including Letters of Agreement, contracts, and other operational requirements.
• Coordinate and participate in the regular meetings organized by the coordinator/global team of CRFS and Smart Farming projects
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Candidates should meet the following:
• Advanced University Degree (preferably MSc Degree) in Project Management, Agronomy, Sustainable Food Systems, Agriculture Economics or closely related fields to the FAO mandate.
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in agricultural development, project management, research and/or extension services, and/or support involving agronomy and agribusiness activities.
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Zambia
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional skills
• Strong knowledge of project management, agronomy, crop production, soil science, and horticulture.
• Knowledge of socio-economic issues in agriculture/ food sector and food security
• Knowledge of policy and governance issues
• Experience with planning and coordination of national surveys and the collection of data meant to inform decision making A
• Understanding of climate-smart agriculture principles and practices, including climate risk management and climate-resilient crop and animal varieties.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and other basic software applications.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information to diverse Strong organizational and planning skills and commitment to discretion and confidentiality
• Familiarity with UN human resource administrative procedures and systems
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
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.