National Programme Coordinator

Organizational Setting

FAO opened the Rohingya Refugee Crisis Response Program in early October 2017 with funding from SFERA under Government Bangladesh official authorization and no objection. Since this time the program has grown in scope, supporting both Rohingya refugees in the camps and host communities. FAO has taken on a significant role in the Inter Sectoral Coordination Group (ISCG) structure. Since this time, FAO continues to support both Refugees and host communities adapt to the new context of an extended Refugee Response in Cox’s Bazar district and is in addition providing emergency assistance following natural disasters, following especially Cyclones and Floods and addressing emergency agricultural and livelihoods needs. FAO is leading in several multi-sectoral projects and co-chairs the Food Security Sector the Energy and Environment Network. FAO is also an active member of the Head of Sub-Office level decision making group.

FAO Cox’s Bazar maintains two primary programme units, the Agricultural Livelihoods Unit and the Natural Resource Management/Disaster Risk Management Unit. Both units are staffed with technical specialist implementing multi-year programming in coordination with government partners, UN agencies, civil society and private sector partners. While part of the overall emergency response, the FAO Cox’s Bazar programme works across the Humanitarian -Development-Peace Nexus, bridging emergency programmes with development objectives, ensuring all programming contributes to the Government of Bangladesh development priorities and protecting development strategy gains.

Reporting Lines

This is a SC-10 level position. The National Programme Coordinator will lead the programme team under FAO Cox Bazar sub-office under the direct supervision of Senior Emergency and Resilience Programme Specialist/Head of Sub Office and under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, and in collaboration with operations and administration, will particularly undertake the following tasks \:

Technical Focus

• Agricultural Livelihoods
• Natural Resource Management (NRM)/Disaster Risk Management (DRM)
• Project management and coordination

Tasks and responsibilities

• Under the guidance of the of Senior Emergency and Resilience Programme and Coordination Specialist/Head of Sub Office, provide effective leadership for the project’s implementation, ensuring the achievement of projects objectives
• Facilitate technical coordination and collaboration among government counterparts, national technical officers, international consultants, and project partners
• Develop detailed annual work plans related to the different project outputs and outcomes in collaboration NRM/DRM and Agricultural Livelihood units.
• Represent FAO at UN system meetings as requested, including ISCG and other coordination structure meetings and events.
• Organize, and prepare background information and updates on project progress (including achievements and bottlenecks) for regular project meetings.
• Initiate and coordinate outreach and visibility activities in collaboration with communication unit; conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; make presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Liaise with the MEAL unit to assess project impact and apply technologies and recommendations to direct programme design accordingly.
• Lead and/or participate in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Coordinate preparation of project narrative progress and terminal reports in line with donor requirements and FAO rules and procedures in a timely manner.
• Provide programme technical backstopping and ensure the quality and effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge-sharing activities.
• Represent FAO in meetings with government counterparts at local, national, and international levels, as required for successful operation and implementation of the projects.
• Contribute to the formulation of concept notes and/or project documents for establishing partnerships and resource mobilization.
• Review relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and takes corrective action; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up action
• Prepare and/or revise reports, briefing notes and talking points, of technical content, for the Head of Sub Office or Senior Management.
• Lead in creating an enabling environment for scaling up agricultural smart technologies and facilitating their adoption by other agricultural sector actors
• Ensure consistent collaboration between FAO and local government partners, including, the Office of the District Commissioner, the Department of Agriculture Extension, Department of Fisheries and Department of Forestry amongst others.
• Provide support in the preparation of contracts, Letters of Agreement (LoAs) with Service Providers in close collaboration with the LTOs.
• Provide support in preparation and clearance of programme inputs Technical Specifications.
• Ensure effectiveness of the network of Field Facilitators (FFs) posted in projects locations in their regular field activity at every stage of activities implementation including their interaction with local partners and relevant stakeholders
• Ensure that lessons learnt through the various projects are documented and shared with donor and other stake holders when required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University Degree (preferably MSc Degree) in Project Management, Agronomy, Development studies, Sustainable Food Systems, Agriculture Economics, Natural Resource Management or closely related fields to the FAO mandate.
• At least ten (10) 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
• A Bangladeshi national.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Possess significant experience in programme and team management.
• Possess strong analytical and reporting skills
• Previous experience to work with UN agency/International Organization is an asset
• Possess deep understanding of the ongoing emergency response and relevant stakeholders, including UN agencies, government, civil society and donors.
• Possess strong understanding and experience of Project Cycle Management.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION