National Project Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has reinforced its presence in Ukraine by signing an agreement with the Government to set up a Project Office that will facilitate and expand the provision of technical and humanitarian assistance to the country’s most vulnerable communities, especially in rural areas.

Ukraine joined FAO in 2003 and since 2015 the Organization has been operating in two strategic directions\: emergency humanitarian response in conflict-affected oblasts and agricultural development across the whole country. Following the escalation of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, FAO has consequently scaled up its activities in the country to support agricultural production and food systems with the aim of protecting the food security of vulnerable households and communities across Ukraine.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Designated Responsible Officer, the direct supervision of the Head of Field Office - Odesa, and in close coordination with relevant programme, operations and administrative units at FAO Ukraine, the National Project Specialist will be responsible for provision and assistance in programmatic and operational support to the implementation of emergency assistance and early recovery and development projects in the southern region of Ukraine.

Technical Focus

The National Project Specialist will be responsible for supporting the project team in all program, operational and administrative tasks related with FAO portfolio implementation in the Southern Region, supporting operations of the project office and ensuring smooth communication between the FAO Odesa Field office and other operational units of FAO Ukraine.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Lead project(s) implementation in line with approved work plans, procurement plans, M&E framework, and communication requirements.
• Contribute to the analysis of technical-related issues for the design, formulation, implementation, and evaluation of the FAO project(s) in line with the respective work plan, procurement plan and project budgets.
• Gather information to support drafting of key project(s) documents and initiate the preparation of progress and final reports.
• Lead the process for identifying and selecting service providers/implementing partner, prepare Letters of Agreement and ensure project inputs and services are procured/delivered following FAO procurement procedures.
• Closely monitor contractual obligations and reporting of service providers and consultants, in close collaboration w.
• Support identifying issues arising from implementing partners and respond appropriately or escalate to the management level as applicable.
• Support the Head of Field Office on crucial project management aspects, including coordination support related to activities with regional governments, UN sister agencies, international organizations, local non-governmental organizations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support processing and managing routine administrative and financial tasks in various functional areas, to contribute to effective and timely management of resources.
• Conduct regular field visits (provided security clearance) and organize meetings with key partners and stakeholders.
• Prepare project related technical briefs, reports, case studies and best practices to showcase project results in close collaboration with relevant FAO Ukraine departments.
• Provide support with field level inputs in development of Concept notes and project proposals.
• Provide contents to the communication team in accordance with the projects’ communication plan.
• Ensure visibility of project activities and achievements in close collaboration with the MEAL and communication teams.
• Perform other related duties as requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture, development studies, environmental studies, social sciences, or related discipline.
• Al least 3 years of progressively responsible work experience related to project implementation/management.
• Working knowledge of English and Ukrainian.
• National of Ukraine

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated experience in the field level implementation of humanitarian and early recover assistance projects highly desirable.
• Ability to take ownership and accountability for assigned processes and to work autonomously.
• Rigor and demonstrated attention to detail.
• Quality of both oral and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute complex processes across a wide range of stakeholders, advance ability to work quickly and under pressure.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION