National Project Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The primary mission of the FAO offices in the countries, led by the FAO Representative, is to collaborate with governments in the development of policies, programs, and projects to achieve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition. This includes helping to develop the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors and using their environmental and natural resources sustainably.
The project FISH-ADAPT is a Green Climate Fund (GCF) financed project, developed by FAO in direct response to a request by the Government of Saint Lucia (GoSL). The GoSL, acting through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance Economic Development and the Youth Economy (the GCF National Designated Authority) also requested FAO to act as Executing Entity. FISH-ADAPT will support the scale-up of previous initiatives by implementing key elements of the Saint Lucia Fisheries Sectoral Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (SASAP). The project will help to make fishing safer and more productive despite a changing climate and help ensure that improved livelihoods do not require catching ever-increasing volumes of wild fish. The project establishes paradigm shifting pathways that will permanently change the operation of Saint Lucia’s fisheries sector, improve the climate resilience of over 5,000 fishers, fishworkers and aquaculture farmers, and their households (total estimated direct beneficiaries of 10,000) and improve access to finance and insurance for long-term sustainability. The benefits from FISH-ADAPT will transcend fisheries to positively impact 62,000 people working in the tourism and hospitality industry and strengthen ecosystem services provided by approximately 25 hectares of mangrove and 7 ha of coastal coral reef, and serves as a model for scale-up and further climate adaptation actions across the Caribbean and in other regions, by building stakeholder capacity, strengthening private sector linkages, and enhancing coordination mechanisms and knowledge-sharing at national and regional levels.

The project is comprised of four main components\:

• Transform and reorient fishing systems for safety in a changing climate.
• Implement Nature-based Solutions and sustainable fishing practices to improve. ecosystem health and fish stock sustainability in response to climatic changes.
• Increase financial resilience and diversify incomes for fishing sector stakeholders.
• Strengthen institutional structures for participatory climate adaptation.

These four mutually reinforcing components address key elements of the climate resilience challenge facing Saint Lucia’s fishing sector and propose adaptation solutions targeting i) the artisanal fishing vessels and traditional practices that form the core of the sector; ii) the landing sites and fish processing facilities that support those vessels; iii) the nearby seamoss farms and coastal ecosystems that serve as critical fish habitat; iv) the key role of aquaculture in increasing fish production for the island, and v) the need to mobilize credit, insurance and other financial services, and engage private actors.
For more information about the project, please review\: SAP053\: FISH-ADAPT\: Transforming climate resilience and sustainability in Saint Lucia's fisheries communities | Green Climate Fund

Reporting Lines

The National Project Coordinator will work under the direct supervision of the International Fisheries Consultant with overall supervision and technical guidance by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer in the FAO Subregional Office for the Caribbean and the Lead Technical Officer of the project, and in close collaboration with the other members of the project team, and the staff in the FAO SLC, HQ and RLC.

Technical Focus

The National Project Coordinator will oversee day-to-day implementation of FAO’s components of the FISH-ADAPT project\: Transforming climate resilience and sustainability in Saint Lucia's fisheries communities. This includes, inter alia, assist the International Fisheries Consultant in the strategic leadership, coordination, planning, management, reporting and control of the operational and technical execution of the project, ensuring alignment with FAO’s standards within the framework described in the project documentation.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean (SLC), the direct supervision of the International Fisheries Consultant, and technical guidance from the Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer at the FAO SLC and the Lead Technical Officer of the project (LTO), in close collaboration with other technical officers, the National Project Coordinator will support the proper development, implementation, evaluation, and closure of the project. This includes the following tasks\:
• Assist the International Fisheries consultant in the coordination of the Project Management Unit (PMU) team ensuring the integrity, coherence and quality of the work carried out by specialists and consultants across all four project components.
• Support the preparation, coordination and follow-up of the implementation of the field project activities, outputs and outcomes, including regular project monitoring, technical follow-up, and recurring visits to the various project implementation areas.
• Support the coordination of the design, implementation and updating of plans for communication, recruitment, procurement, project operating manual, monitoring and evaluation, gender, environmental and social safeguards.
• Support the preparation and updating of the project work plan for approval by the various required bodies (Subregional Office, Lead Technical Officer and Committees).
• Assist with the preparation of relevant documents and reports off the project aligned with GCF reporting requirements and evaluations, including periodic progress reports, and contribution to the final project documentation.
• Ensure the significant integration and monitoring of the Gender Action Plan and the inclusive participation of vulnerable groups in all project activities and reports.
• Support the coordination and monitoring of activities with stakeholders to ensure implementation, including actions financed by government counterparts (MoA, MoF) as part of co-financing.
• Support the coordination of the design, implementation, and maintenance of project-related information and databases.
• Assist with the identification and coordination with other related projects being implemented in the area of influence of the project, that may establish synergies or complementarities with the project.
• Support and promote strategic alliances with counterparts and key stakeholders of the project.
• Assist with the identification and fostering of partnerships and synergies with relevant national, regional, and international initiatives.
• Support the design and implementation of the exit strategy to ensure the sustainability of the actions and approaches promoted by the project.
• Assist the International Fisheries Consultant in the operational and administrative monitoring functions to ensure project progress is tracked against targets and linked to the Project’s Results Framework, in collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist.
• Assist in coordinating and preparing regular Project Task Force meetings to ensure the project's momentum and facilitating decision-making processes that streamline acquisition procedures to as a platform for informed decision-making, stakeholder engagement, regular communication, and risk management, ensuring the project's timely and successful completion.
• In consultation with, and at the request of Project Steering Committee (PSC) members, the National Project Coordinator will schedule and arrange formal PSC meetings, at least once every 12 months.
• Ensure the documentation of lessons learned and best practices including harmonization of approaches across stakeholders.
• Assist the International Fisheries Consultant in the identification, assessment and management of the risks that may affect the project. This involves a proactive approach to ensure that risks are minimized and managed appropriately to contribute to the success of the project.
• Assist with the implementation and revision of the Project Implementation Manual (PIM) ensuring it is maintained and updated as required throughout project implementation.
• Perform other related tasks as necessary, in accordance with the needs and requirements of the project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University Degree in fisheries, marine biology, environmental sciences, public administration, business administration, finance, accounting, economics, or related fields.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in project coordination, preferably in fisheries, aquaculture, or climate change adaptation, or rural development projects.
• Working knowledge of English (level C).
• National of Saint Lucia

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in project implementation and managing operations.
• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting the implementation of complex multi-stakeholder projects.
• Ability to develop and manage plans for project implementation and coordination of operations.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency in project planning, monitoring, and reporting.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and foster strategic partnerships.
• Strong analytical and report-writing capabilities.
• Experience in organizing bilateral and multi-sectoral meetings.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and deliver results under pressure.

Desirable qualifications and skills

• Postgraduate studies in fisheries policy, marine resource management, or climate adaptation are desirable.
• Strong knowledge of fisheries and aquaculture governance, climate adaptation, and value chain development is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of Saint Lucia’s climate policy landscape and fisheries sector.
• Familiarity with international donor-funded projects, FAO or UN procedures is an asset.
• Experience working with international organizations, government agencies, and development partners.
• Experience in coordinating with civil society organizations and community-based governance structures.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION