Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and malnutrition. The main aim of the FAO country office in Zambia, which is headed by the FAO Representative, is to assist the Government to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Background

FAO is implementing the Forest and Farm Facility a global programme in partnership with IIED, AgriCord, IUCN. The goal of the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) is to support forest and farm producers and their organizations1 to enable ‘Climate Resilient Landscapes and Improved Livelihoods.’ These producers are key players in reducing poverty and significant contributors for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to fight climate change as part of the Paris agreement.

The coordinator position will be responsible for management of the programme in Zambia through grants provided by FAO in close collaboration with the global programme management team.

Reporting lines

Under the overall supervision of FAOR, through the Assistant FAOR Programmes and technical supervision of the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) OiC through the Country Coach, the FFF Coordinating Consultant will be expected to lead the FFF programme implementation in Zambia.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be responsible for overall technical implementation and reporting of the project in Zambia. This will entail the\: i) development and operationalization of annual work plans ; ii) Facilitating provision and management of small grants to small holder Forest and Farm producer organizations (FFPOs); iii) capacity development of FFPOs in good governance, financial management and enterprise development ; iii) monitoring of the quality of programme implementation; iv) implementation of the FFF monitoring and learning agenda including gender strategic plans.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Facilitate the FFF national programme management.
• Lead in capacity building of Apex and local FFPOs in good governance and sustainability plans.
• Prepare and monitor the FFF country budget in line with annual work plan with support of the relevant in-country FAO officers.
• Oversee FFF phase II phase our processes.
• Foster linkages, networks partnerships and synergies with ongoing national and regional programmes from FAO as well as other partners related to producer organizations, landscape management and natural resource management.
• Plan and facilitate exchange visits for experience and knowledge sharing among producer associations in- and outside the county.
• Prepare annual reports for the FFF management team and national stakeholders on implementation progress, monitoring and learning experience.
• In consultation with key stakeholders, identify potential implementation partners and develop Letter of Agreements (LoAs) and Direct Beneficiary Grants, follow up on implementation and monitoring.
• Ensure that the FFF programme implemented by partners is in line with FAO regulations and standards.
• Lead documentation of impact stories of the FFF in Zambia.

Implementation of Small grants

• In consultation with key stakeholders prepare FFF small grants.
• Ensure compliance of FAO guidelines for procurement of goods and services.
• Facilitate documentation of lessons learned from the implementation of the small grants and feed into monitoring and learning framework.
• Lead the Monitoring and evaluation of direct beneficiary grants.

Enhance the development and implementation of the Communication strategy

• Facilitate development of FFF communication and visibility materials for awareness and awareness raising in the country (Brochures, posters, videos etc);
• Facilitate communication of FFF objectives and activities in national and sub-national media platforms, including newspapers, bulletins, radio shows and television;
• Facilitate producer organisations to develop their own communication strategy;
• Share FFF's vision and Zambian local voices in global, regional, national cross-sector platforms and forums;

Support the Monitoring and Learnings in the country

• Support the development of a participatory monitoring and learning framework for FFF Zambia and facilitate its implementation;
• Prepare and submit monthly and annual reports to the FFF management team on progress on country outputs;
• Keep track of country targets/indicators and make suggestions for corrections in case of missing targets;
• Ensuring the M&L reports feed into the decision making process;
• Keep a record of all decisions taken on the country level, in terms of monitoring and learning;
• Conduct an annual country multi-stakeholder workshop to review programme performance, Monitoring and Learning as well as forward planning;
• Prepare country synthesis report based on FFF stakeholder workshop and M&L system.

FAO Standards and Guidelines\:

• Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
• All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including\:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31\: HTTPS\://WWW.FAO.ORG/STRATEGIC-FRAMEWORK/EN
FAO social media policy and guidelines\: HTTPS\://WWW.FAO.ORG/2/SOCIALMEDIA
Social Media Branding Guidelines\: HTTPS\://OPENKNOWLEDGE.FAO.ORG/HANDLE/20.500.14283/CB5044EN
FAOSTYLE HTTPS\://OPENKNOWLEDGE.FAO.ORG/HANDLE/20.500.14283/CB8081EN
FAO terminology HTTP\://WWW.FAO.ORG/FAOTERM
FAO Names of Countries HTTPS\://WWW.FAO.ORG/NOCS/EN
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
• Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Agriculture, Natural Resources Management, Forestry, Community Development, social sciences or equivalent
• Minimum 8 years of experience in agroforestry and natural resources management, programme management, community mobilisation and grant management is desirable
• Working knowledge of English, (proficient – level C)
• National of Zambia

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in providing capacity building programmes targeting small-holder producers
• Experience of working with government and private sector organisations
• Experience working with organized small-holder producer groups.
• Proven coordination skills and experience managing technical projects.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of local languages in the targeted project areas in Zambia would be an advantage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION