Project Implementation Specialist (Mine Action and Land Rehabilitation)

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• 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 (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members - 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. FAO Ukraine is seeking to increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises that affect agriculture, food and nutrition, focusing on four major areas\: - rural economic development - transition to sustainable agriculture and food production practices - adaptation to climate change - humanitarian assistance.

FAO Ukraine is the country office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, a specialized agency dedicated to achieving food security, reducing rural poverty, and promoting sustainable management of natural resources. FAO Ukraine works in close partnership with the government, civil society organizations, private sector, and other UN agencies to address the diverse challenges and opportunities in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and environmental sectors. By providing technical assistance, policy advice, and capacity development support, FAO Ukraine plays a vital role in fostering sustainable agricultural practices, strengthening the resilience of rural communities, and enhancing food security and nutrition across the country.

The ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine has caused significant disruptions to agriculture. The degradation of soil quality and loss of productivity are some of the major challenges faced by farmers in the region. Conservation Agriculture (CA), with its principles of crop rotation, minimal soil disturbance, and permanent soil cover, offers a viable solution to restore soil health and improve agricultural resilience. FAO is committed to supporting these farmers by providing technical assistance to implement CA practices and enhancing productivity in these war-affected regions.

The FAO Mine Action and Land Rehabilitation Programme activities in Ukraine aims at revitalizing farming communities affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). The programme focuses on emergency agricultural recovery, land rehabilitation, livelihood restoration, and ensuring long-term sustainability for war-affected farming households.

FAO has a “zero-tolerance” policy towards any form of SEA and for inaction on SEA by its personnel and by the employees of entities working with or providing services to the Organization across all programmes, projects, and activities.

This role is based in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of DRO/Ukraine Head of Office and the Head of Programme, and the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator Mine Action and Land Rehabilitation Programme Team. He/she will be supporting coordination of field activities, especially supporting interaction with FAO field offices, relevant implementing partners and government counterparts that are cooperating closely with FAO for the implementation of the programme.

Technical Focus

The Specialist will be involved in the implementation of day-to-day project activities, ensuring effective programmatic, operational and administrative support as well as supporting the Programme Coordinators in liaising with relevant FAO units, including Operations, Procurement, and Human Resources, to facilitate project support. The Project Implementation Specialist will also support the Programme Coordinator in managing procurement, contracts, monitor the budget expenditure, and addressing operational challenges to ensure the programme’s efficiency and timely delivery. The incumbent will support activities in the design and implementation of demonstration plots; training farmers in-situ; delivering online technical assistance; and monitoring and evaluation.

Tasks and responsibilities

Specifically, the incumbent will carry out the following tasks\:

• Support in a day-to day basis the Programme Coordinator in planning, implementing, and monitoring project activities at national and regional level.
• Participate in the formulation of projects and support preparation of contribution agreements and addendums for new projects, in coordination with the Planning unit and Operations Unit, in line with the FAO Project Cycle Guide.
• Coordinate projects assigned within the programme, ensuring work plans, procurement plans, cash and vouchers plans, monitoring plans and any other management actions are conducted in line with FAO procedures and programmatic recommendations.
• Support report drafting, prepare project briefs and facilitate overall support to the Programme Coordinator and FAO Ukraine Senior Management with the management of assigned initiatives and projects;
• Facilitate the drafting of Letters of Agreement (LoA), procurement requests, technical specifications, and other procurement documentation required for project implementation, when required by the Programme Coordinator.
• Closely follow up with Service Providers on LoA implementation, deliverables, and review and certify narrative/financial reports, ensure time submission of reports and LoA closure within project life.
• Liaise with the Operations and Procurement Units for operational and administrative support to FAO’s Mine Action programme. Prepare and finalize correspondence on programme matters, including queries to Procurement and Operations Unit.
• Ensure consistency of programme requests to support units, with FAO’s operational requirements and procurement regulations.
• Prepare recruitment plan and draft terms of reference for the Mine Action Program and submit to FAO Ukraine Human resources Unit to ensure that the recruitment plans are on track.
• Collaborate with the FAO Ukraine Procurement Unit to ensure progress of the procurement of necessary goods and services per the initial procurement plan.
• For the projects under the Mine Action programme, maintain close track budget expenditures, alert in case of discrepancies with the initial plan, and propose corrective actions if necessary.
• In liaison with the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, track projects’ progress in relation to established objectives and timelines.
• Contribute to data and input for project monitoring, evaluation, and reporting purposes, and assist with the development and maintenance of project monitoring tools and systems.
• Support FAO’s Communication Coordinator to ensure visibility of FAO’s activities and the dissemination of appropriate visibility items/materials in compliance with donor and FAO requirements.
• Other activities that may be required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in public/business administration, political economy, political or social sciences, international development, agriculture, economics or a related field
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in coordinating or supporting program implementation within large and complex projects or program management, with a focus mine action, on food security, nutrition operations, and work in conflict or post-conflict contexts
• Working knowledge (Level C) English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project management, operations, formulation, analysis, planning and implementation
• Extent and relevance of experience in developing and delivering large projects related to food security, provision of extension support as well as disaster risk management
• Demonstrated ability to process complex data and analyze information as the basis for technical and policy advice for governments, and as input for national and international meetings
• Experience in Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia is considered an asset
• Ability to work productively under pressure and to maintain high morale in difficult circumstances
• Strong knowledge to effectively use standard office software, such as MS Office (Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, Exchange)

Selection Criteria

• Advanced university degree is desirable
• Experience with a focus in mine action, food security, nutrition operations, and work in conflict or post-conflict contexts will be considered an advantage
• Limited knowledge (Level B) of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish is an asset
• Experience designing and implementing farmer training programs and demonstration plots
• Previous experience with the UN system or relation work for a donor organization, consulting company or NGO is a strong advantage

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

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

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