National Programme Implementation Coordinator (NPIC, SB6-Level B)

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO Syria Country Office is to assist government to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The FAO Representation in Syria is organized around three main units: Programme, Operations and Administration. The current portfolio of projects in Syria includes activities related to Crop production & protection, Animal Health & Livestock production, Water for production, Environment & Climate Change, Gender & Social Inclusion, and is implemented with humanitarian, transitional and development funding.

Reporting Lines

The National Programme Implementation Coordinator (NPIC) will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Syria, the direct supervision of the Building Local Resilience in Syria (BLRS) project manager, in close collaboration with technical programme staff, the concerned field staff at governorates level, Operations and Administrative units, and in consultation with the relevant Technical Units at FAO Headquarters, RNE and the Lead Technical Officer (LTO).

• Technical Focus Contribute as the national focal point for the initiation of all required planning actions for early start of BLRS project in Syria, in close collaboration with the BLRS project manager, including completing FAO administrative tasks for project opening and necessary follow up so as to process all the formality requiring Government of Syria approval;
• Contribute to the preparation of the needed studies, technical design for the project in coordination with the technical team and stakeholders;
• Partake in the Project Management Unit (PMU) coordination function and ensure full collaboration to achieve the overall project objectives and provide regular updates to the BLRS Project Manager;
• Represent the Project Management Unit (PMU) in liaising with FAO Syria operations, procurement, logistics, administration and finance units to ensure timely receipt of support and goods and services delivered;
• Support with the preparation, consolidation and review of all project documentation for information sharing and reporting purposes.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Facilitate in coordination with the technical teams in FAO and BLRS project stakeholders the required community consultations and rapid assessment process, to lead to design of BLRS intervention components / activities;
• Provide support for the timely implementation of the planned activities in the targeted areas by the project;
• Coordinate with the BLRS project manager and concerned technical officers to ensure proper planning and execution of each planned component of the project; including the design of technical specifications for the inputs required for the planned interventions;
• Develop, adapt/improve and implement relevant planning and monitoring tools (in close cooperation with the Operations Unit) relating to: Budgeting; Field activities, including workshops, assessments and trainings; Procurement and inventory; Project Staffing; Monthly/periodic reporting; and Work planning;
• Carefully monitor the implementation of the project work plan to ensure timely implementation of each planned activity in consultation with the BLRS manager and M&E team, and supervise and contribute to the preparation of reporting documents and their submission to the donor as required in the agreement;
• Attend regular programme and operations meetings providing updates as appropriate;
• Ensure proper coordination with technical staff of the Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (MAAR), Ministry of Water Resources Management (WRM) and Ministry of Local Administration, and other relevant line ministries, services directorates and local authorities to ensure the efficient implementation of the project components;
• Lead with the BLRS Project Manager, and in full consultation with the Procurement Unit, the selection process for Implementing Partners (under the contractual Letters of Agreement (LoA) modality) including the development (and review of submissions) at Expression of Interest and Call for Proposal stages. Take the lead in preparing relevant Letters of Agreement (LOAs) with Implementing Partners (IPs) including schedule of activities, expected results, and monitor their implementation.
• Monitor the implementation of Contracts and Letters of Agreements (LoAs) with implementing partners and provide operational support, advice and guidance to goods/service providers;
• Collaborate with the Communication Specialist to disseminate project specific reports and products and assist with visibility;
• Conduct and/or support trainings and workshops and capacity building activities with the Government and key stakeholders;
• Undertake travel to project sites for planning, assessment and monitoring purposes;
• Ensure that cross cutting issues such as gender, youth and disability considerations are well mainstreamed in the implementation of all activities in consultation with the technical programme team;
• Ensure close collaboration and coordination with the FAO Gender Team (Gender Expert in RNE, Gender Expert in Damascus and Gender and Community Engagement Officer in Homs), and ensure robust integration of the core BLRS project activities with the VAWGs pilot activities, in relevant locations;
• Closely liaise with relevant units (M&E, Reporting and communication, Gender) in documenting evidence-based impact of FAO interventions in the field;
• Perform any other duties requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• The candidate must at least have a university degree in agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), or related field;
• Seven years of relevant experience in managing field projects/activities related technical cooperation’s related activities policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture-based livelihoods, agriculture and rural development, fishery, forestry, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes;
• Excellent oral and written command of English and Arabic;
• National of Syria.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevance and extent of experience in implementation of programme/project’s related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes and programmes and/or providing technical support and advice on institutional capacity building processes.
• Relevance and extent of experience in establishing and maintaining partnerships with UN agencies, NGOs as well as donors and government institutions and agencies in working with inter-governmental bodies and multi-disciplinary teams
• Proven experience with UN regulations and procedures will be an added advantage.
• Experience in rural livelihoods development would be an asset, including field work and data collection.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential.
• Good interpersonal, collaboration and networking skills.
• Good communication, analytical, presentation and reporting skills and an excellent team player.
• Communication skills and ability to operate under pressure.
• Practical experience supporting the development of farmers’ and farmers’ enterprises, including demonstrating an understanding of agriculture value chains and linkages with markets.