Project Coordinator
Trinidad and Tobago
- Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Location: Trinidad and Tobago
- Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
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Occupational Groups:
- Project and Programme Management
- Managerial positions
- Closing Date: 2025-02-07
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 Joint Program (JP) by UNDP and FAO in Trinidad and Tobago (TTO) aims to accelerate the country’s transition to NDC 3.0 and its Just Transition to renewable energy. This intervention will update and strengthen TTO’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Implementation and Financial Investment Plans, aligning them with TTO’s enhanced commitments under the Paris Agreement. By fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, the JP will reform policies, mobilize resources, and build capacities to drive climate resilience and sustainable development, focusing on a just energy transition across all sectors, including agriculture.
Key outcomes include strengthened NDC plans that are more aligned with National and International Climate Goals, mechanisms that attract private investments, and enhanced capacities of institutions and stakeholders to inclusively implement NDC 3.0. Under (UNDP) outputs include a updated, more comprehensive, relevant, and actionable NDC, and under FAO, an Addendum to the NDC with actionable steps for energy in AFOLU inclusion, accompanied by a methodology designed to\: 1. Guide the national consultant in conducting capacity building activities aimed at stakeholders; and 2. Provide foundational building blocks for the effective development of the sector related to energy within the AFOLU as part of a full-fledged project. Both FAO and UNDP will engage stakeholders in capacity development under Output 3 of the project Document. These outputs will contribute to TTO’s climate goals by creating a robust framework for policy reform, leveraging financial mechanisms to attract domestic and international investment in renewable energy, and ensuring an equitable transition, particularly for vulnerable communities dependent on fossil fuels.
Supporting SDG transitions in energy access (SDG 7), climate action (SDG 13), and decent jobs (SDG 8), the JP will advance TTO’s Vision 2030 development priorities, positioning the country as a leader among Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in climate action. The JP will also enable "engine room" actions by building the necessary technical and institutional capacities to drive the NDC 3.0 process, ensuring sustainable and resilient development.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative for Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname (a.i.) or their designate, the supervision of the UNDP Resident Representative in Trinidad and Tobago or their designate, with whom FAO is undertaking the Joint Programme on NDC 3.0 Implementation and Just Energy Transition, and in coordination with Focal Points in the United Nations Joint Programme Team and the National Designated Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (Ministry of Planning and Development), the Project Coordinator (PC) will coordinate the implementation of the Joint Programme (JP), ensuring timely delivery of outputs, adherence to budgets, and effective engagement with stakeholders. The role includes oversight of affiliate workforce, development of programme communications, and collaboration with UN communications teams.
Technical Focus
In the general context of the UNJP, the incumbent will be responsible for coordination of the UNJP across project activities to support synergies and reduce duplication of efforts as well as, providing oversight of the work of affiliate workforce to support timely implementation. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for monitoring the UNJP budgets to ensure expenditure in line with workplans, strengthening communications and stakeholder engagement across all activities under the UNJP, and monitoring and reporting on work plan activities on the identified platforms.
Tasks and responsibilities
Programme Coordination and Management
• Coordinate the gathering and defining of stakeholder requirements alongside project team and key stakeholders.
• Oversee the implementation of JP activities to achieve intended objectives.
• Develop and maintain project documentation including project requirements, work plans, schedules, and timelines.
• Coordinate events with UNDP, FAO, and relevant government ministries and agencies.
• Ensure alignment of project with national priorities and global climate targets.
• Support stakeholder mobilization for project activities.
Affiliate Workforce Management
• Develop Terms of Reference (TOR) for hiring affiliate workforce.
• Facilitate procurement processes for affiliate workforce.
• Supervise affiliate workforce to ensure high-quality technical outputs.
Budget and Financial Oversight
• Manage the JP’s budget, ensuring cost-effective disbursement.
• Track financial expenditures and prepare financial reports for submission to stakeholders.
Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
• Work collaboratively across agencies to support effective communication and stakeholder management.
• Collaborate with UNDP, FAO, and the Joint SDG Fund Secretariat's communications officers to develop promotional materials and social media content.
• Foster stakeholder engagement through workshops, meetings, and outreach activities.
• Create and disseminate quarterly newsletters, press releases, and programme updates.
Monitoring and Reporting
• Organize, coordinate and chair scheduled and ad hoc project meetings with key stakeholders including project initiation and closure meetings.
• Develop monitoring frameworks and track programme progress/variances against work plans.
• Prepare quarterly progress reports and submit them to the JP Steering Committee.
• Document and address risks and challenges promptly to ensure smooth programme implementation.
• Document lessons learnt, successes and challenges.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced degree in Project Management, Environmental Science, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum five years of experience in project management of multi-stakeholder programs nationally and/or within the region, preferably in climate change or sustainable development.
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Trinidad and Tobago
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focused
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Experience in Strategic Project Management
• Experience in Programme planning and Integration
• Experience in Team Leadership and Resource Management
• Experience in Project Planning and Scheduling
• Experience in Risk and Issues Management
• Experience in Budgeting and Cost Management
• Experience in Stakeholder Management and Communication
• Proven expertise in financial management and budget oversight, preferably with knowledge of UN financial systems (e.g., Quantum, Umoja, FPMIS).
• Experience working with UN agencies or similar international organizations would be an asset
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with communications and public outreach, including social media content creation will be an 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.