Program Assistant

Organizational Setting

FAO's office for Yemen is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing, and implementing agreed strategies for addressing countrywide food, agriculture, and rural development priorities under Yemen. It develops and maintains relations with the relevant Ministries at country level. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, program, 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.
The objective of the GEF project of “Resilient and sustainable livelihoods for rural Yemen” is to facilitate the development of sustainable and resilient livelihoods for rural Yemenis by mainstreaming climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land management practices across productive agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors. Under the existing scenario, unsustainable managed agriculture, livestock, and fisheries are driving land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change risks. The project aims to strengthen the ecosystems services upon which vulnerable rural Yemenis depend for their livelihoods and food security.

Reporting Lines

The Program Assistant – will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Yemen (FAOR), the technical supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) of the Water and Natural Resources sector, and direct supervision of the Project Manager.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will ensure that all Project’s activities in the landscapes are technically of high quality and are anchored into the local contexts through the coordination with local authorities and communities and other development initiatives.

Tasks and responsibilities

To facilitate the works that related to the implementation of the activities of the project which include\:
• Provide advice on all activities to take place at the local level.
• Ensure full coordination with local government agencies and all similar activities taking place in the target areas.
• Channel information to/from project management and local partners.
• Organise the planning phase and promote the development/implementation of plans and arrangements related to environmental and gender issues.
• Support and organise capacity building to strengthen existing organisations, as required.
• Where necessary, support the activities required for the emergence of new organisations.
• Where possible, create linkages between project activities and other activities being implemented, financed by government or development partners.
• Help draft ToRs for local partners.
• Organise and conduct community dialogue.
• Support service providers for the establishment of field activities.
• Support and technically supervise activities for the implementation of revised agro -pastoral and fisheries conventions as well as the integrated local adaptation strategies.
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Higher education degree in agronomy, animal science, social science, sustainable development, or another relevant field.
• At least five years’ experience working with local communities in the landscape management / agroecology management sectors in Yemen.
• Working knowledge of English.
• National of Yemen.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated and full knowledge of agricultural issues in the relevant landscape.
• Knowledge of relevant local languages.
• Experience with gender-sensitive monitoring.
• Previous experience working with international partners and national government agencies/programmes.
• Experience in facilitating training with knowledge of skills development.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including capability to negotiate with stakeholders.
• Ability to plan, organize, implement, and report.
• Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills in English.
• Demonstrated ability to work under difficult conditions and a high degree of pressure.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, Team Player.
• Proven strong communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills; Analytical skills and experience.
• Capacity to take initiative and suggest modifications in the process.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with national and international colleagues, with different cultural and technical background.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION