National Program Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of FAO Country Office, 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. FAO Kyrgyzstan assists the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to develop policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO participates in the development and implementation of field projects in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development. This requires the integration within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at increasing production and productivity, addressing climate change, and managing natural resources; and enhance rural livelihoods.

In this context, the FAO is implementing in collaboration with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the USAID- funded project “Enhancing the One Health approach in Kyrgyzstan and its capacity to control zoonotic diseases”. Project objective is to support capacity building for prevention, early detection, and response to animal and public health threats, particularly zoonosis in Kyrgyzstan. This assignment will contribute to project objective, such as to build sustainable animal health systems and One Health capacities to mitigate risks and threats caused by emerging and re-emerging zoonoses, endemic zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Reporting Lines

The National Program Specialist provides support to the project under the general supervision of the FAO Representative for Kyrgyzstan and in close collaboration with the technical supervision of LTO and direct supervision of the Program Manager/Coordinator.

Technical Focus

Providing technical and operational support of the project.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive technical support to the implementation of all project activities;
• Support to process of establishing multisectoral One Health coordination mechanisms in close collaboration with WHO at the national and selected oblast levels;
• Provide support to overall management and coordination of the project, ensuring its effective implementation and achievement of project goals and objectives;
• Convene regular meetings of the established One Health national forum;
• Support coordination and facilitation of continuous capacity development initiatives, including training programs for relevant stakeholders in the animal health sector;
• Technical support of the improvement of human resources in the field of One Health, including the identification of training needs and the development of career development plans.
• Ensure effective communication and information sharing with project partners, stakeholders, and relevant international organizations;
• Technical backstopping for aspects of capacity building in the context One Health;
• Provide technical advice for project activities for increasing the understanding and awareness on roles of One Health;
• Monitor project delivery at output and outcome levels, identify challenges and risks, and develop strategies to address them in a timely manner;
• Preparation and regular review of project-related documents and provide regular progress reports, ensure submission of progress reports;
• Provide technical support for effective implementation of project workplan in consultation with project team;
• Review the reports of the national consultants and follow-up with them to finalise planned outcomes;
• Ensure adherence to the project’s work plan, prepare revisions of the work plan;
• Ensure coordination with national partners, implementing partners, local communities, and other relevant stakeholders;
• Support liaise and follow up with the National Ministries/ other partner agencies on projects related activities as and when required;
• Provide technical support in launch the National Forum on One Health;
• Ensure the dissemination of program information and updates to relevant stakeholders;
• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project and establish the knowledge exchange network;
• Contribute to the development of concept notes, project documents, project briefs and reports;
• Support to operational and financial closure of projects, including appropriate reporting as necessary;
• Make regular field visits to the project sites as necessary;
• Backstopping to Program manager/coordinator in administrative and operational matters;
• Perform any other related duties and activities as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Masters’ degree in project management, business administration, or related fields.
• Work Experience\: 5 years program/project management and/or monitoring, evaluation and assessment experience at the national or international level.
• Language Requirements\: excellent working knowledge of English and Russian languages.
• National of the Kyrgyz Republic.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/ Functional skills

• Kyrgyz language knowledge is an asset;
• Excellent communication and inter-personnel skills.
• Proven leadership skills, demonstrated ability to promote new approaches and new practices.
• Knowledge on the UN system is an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION