Project Specialist
Les Cayes | Port-au-Prince
- Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Location: Les Cayes | Port-au-Prince
- Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
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Occupational Groups:
- Project and Programme Management
- Closing Date: 2024-11-14
IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
- 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
As part of its program implementation, FAO supports the Haitian Government in improving food security and promoting sustainable rural development in the face of recurring climate, food, and nutritional crises. FAO implements projects either directly or through operational partners and is accountable to resource-providing partners and the government for project results management, timely reporting, technical quality of outcomes, and appropriate resource use. FAO operates cross various location with Haiti such as Port-au-Prince, Les Cayes and Cap Haïtien.
Reporting Lines
The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the FAOR Haiti, the direct supervision of the Head of Programme, and in close consultation with the FAO Haiti technical teams and relevant Units of the Regional Office for Latin America and Caribbean (RLC), the Subregional Office for Central America (SLM) and Headquarters.
Technical Focus
The Project Specialist is responsible for supporting the project implementation by managing daily operations, coordinating with teams for timely assistance, preparing documentation, and ensuring readiness for emergencies. Key tasks include data analysis, project design, collaboration with partners, and field visits to support activities.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Provide programmatic support to the implementation of projects and programmes;
• Handle day-to-day operational aspects of projects and programmes in accordance with the project management cycle from initiation phase to operational and financial closure;
• Liaise between programme, operations and procurement units to ensure timely delivery of assistance to beneficiaries, following project workplans, budget availability and in accordance with relevant manual sections;
• Coordinate the production and clearance of supporting documents (concept notes, baselines, surveys, project documents, financial and narrative reports, visibility materials...);
• Ensure preparedness of the country office to scale up following emerging needs or emergencies, including data collection and analysis;
• Research, input and analyze technical, food and nutrition security assessments, emergency response, policy related and/or funding/project related data and information to support the development and delivery of programme and projects, products and services;
• Participate in the design of projects and programmes, including the preparation and presentation of project proposals and fully-fledged project documents and budgets;
• Liaise with other government, UN, cluster/sector, NGO and donor partners at the appropriate level to ensure the best preparation and implementation of activities;
• Liaise with MEAL team and field offices for providing support in the implementation of activities and monitoring
• Maintain and update key country-level food security/needs information and response, information systems and databases, as applicable.
• Undertake travel and field visits to ensure adequate support is provided to the implementation of projects and programmes;
• Perform other duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in development studies, International Relations, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Economics, or Agriculture/Rural Development or a related Field.
• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in project or programme management, operational and field experience, coordination and stakeholder engagement
• Working knowledge of French and English, Spanish is a plus
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Proficiency in the project management cycle, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure; knowledge of project management software (e.g., MS Project, Asana).
• Ability to collect, input, and analyze technical data, especially in food security, nutrition, and emergency response; familiarity with data analysis tools like Excel, SPSS, or Power BI.
• Skills in budget planning, tracking, and financial reporting to ensure alignment with available resources and project objectives.
• Competence in drafting, editing, and coordinating various project documents, including concept notes, proposals, and narrative/financial reports.
• Strong coordination abilities to liaise effectively between programme, operations, procurement units, and external partners, ensuring seamless project execution.
• Ability to develop technical documents, policy briefs, visibility materials, and detailed reports to a high standard.
• Knowledge of M&E processes and tools for tracking project outcomes, working closely with MEAL teams, and ensuring data-driven improvements.
• Skills in working with government agencies, UN bodies, NGOs, and donors, understanding their roles and requirements for successful collaboration.
• Experience in readiness planning, including the development of contingency measures and response strategies for emergencies.
• Ability to conduct field visits, assess project progress, and provide on-ground support for operational activities.
• Skills in maintaining and updating country-level information systems and databases relevant to project needs.
• Capability to handle diverse tasks, make adjustments in response to field requirements, and address challenges effectively.
Selection Criteria
• Proven experience in leading and managing project teams, including successful project completion and delivery.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
- Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/
- For more information, visit the FAO employment website
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
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
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.