National Liaison Specialist
Kigali
- Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Location: Kigali
- Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
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Occupational Groups:
- Closing Date: 2025-01-05
IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 through FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022-31 by supporting the transformations to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for a Better production, Better nutrition, Better environment, and a Better life, leaving no one behind. The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) leads FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of the priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with offices, centres and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities.
RAF supports FAO’s work in member countries, develops and maintains strategic partnerships with continental organizations, and supports countries in developing strategies, policies, regulatory frameworks, and regional and country policy dialogues that sustain efficient and inclusive agricultural and food systems. RAF also facilitates partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders, including development partners, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.
The RAF has identified Animal production systems and One Health platforms and actions (APSOH) as one of its Programme Work Areas (PWA) under the regional thematic priority, Sustainable agrifood production systems, which corresponds to the Better Production of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31.
From FAO, the RAF is the designated office to implement the regional Pandemic Fund project “Strengthening One Health-based PPR in the Greater Virunga Landscape (SOHPPRGVL)” as one of the implementing entities (IEs). Other IEs in this project are WHO and UNICEF. RAF in addition to its IE role will also provide overall coordination support to the project.
The SOHPPRGVL project is being implemented through implementing partners (IPs)\: Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and the Gorilla Doctors (GD). The Ministries in charge of tourism, wildlife, agriculture, livestock industries, and health of the three countries (DR Congo, Rwanda, Uganda) are the beneficiaries of the project.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the project Lead Technical Officer (LTO) Senior Animal Production and Health Officer for the FAO Regional Officer in Africa (RAF), the National Laison Specialist (NLS) will report to the Project Coordinator. The NLS will work under the overall administrative supervision and guidance of the FAO Representative in Rwanda. S/he will assist implementing the project in close collaboration with the Country Team Leader for Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), other IEs’ (WHO & UNICEF) and the IPs (GVTC, WWF, Gorilla Doctors), offices in Rwanda. The NLS will coordinate the SOHPPRGVL project activities with the activities of other Pandemic Fund projects in the country.
Technical Focus
Coordination and communication, Multisectoral team player; Disease surveillance, diagnoses and response; One Health in agrifood systems; Laboratory capacity and networking; Wildlife ecosystem; Community-based approach; Inclusivity and diversity; Ecotourism.
Tasks and responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the of the PC, overall supervision of the FAO-RAF Senior Animal Production and Health Officer and administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Rwanda, the NLS will assist coordination of the project implementation. The incumbent will deliver the following specific tasks\:
• Assist the PC with the country-level information to prepare detailed SOHPPRGVL project annual work plans in consultation.
• Assist the PC formulate/ facilitate project implementation-related contracts with implementing partners.
• Liaise with IPs, plan field visit and collection of project implementation data, activities and outputs, from the field.
• Assist the PC by liaising with IPs and the relevant government authorities and support the implementation project activities by the IPs.
• Assist the PC in organising regular stakeholders’ meetings of the project coordination unit (PCU), project steering committee of delivery partners (PSC), Regional technical committees (RTC), and implementation mechanisms established for PPR, from community-based teams to national/regional teams across all relevant sectors, and prepare meeting records.
• Monitor the implementation of planned SOHPPRGVL activities on day-to-day basis and provide weekly, monthly, and six-monthly updates to the PC.
• Facilitate the SOHPPRGVL project baseline, midterm and end line assessments activities in the project implementation areas (4 districts au Rwanda - Burera, Musanze, Nyabihu, and Rubavu)
• Participate in the formulation/design and dissemination of project visibility material / products.
• Document project success stories and lessons learnt articles.
• Monitor IPs contract performance on a regular basis and give feedback to the PC including recommended corrective measures where necessary.
• Perform any other related duties as may be required by the PC and or the LTO.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• University degree in veterinary medicine, animal science, wildlife, One Health, Epidemiology, biomedical sciences or any other relevant disciplines.
• At least three years of professional experience in supporting multi-sectoral, multi-country project under the international framework, using the One Health approach.
• Working levels (Level C) of English
• National of Rwanda.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Demonstrated track record of successfully strategic planning and leading project implementation in the agriculture, public health, wildlife, community engagements, and or the environment sectors.
• Experience with the development of monitoring and evaluation plans
• Familiarity with the FAO or UN agencies work in Rwanda will be considered as an asset.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the planning and management of projects related to animal health, wildlife, community development and One Health in the Agrifood systems.
• Demonstrated ability to write technical and communication documents in English.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
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.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.