Project Coordinator

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative is to assist governments to develop policies, programs 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.

In the Ethiopian context, the links between agriculture, agro-industry development, gender and nutrition have important implications on poverty reduction, biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability; therefore, rural women’s role is critical and necessary in all development agendas. This project is aimed at building on the achievements of the initial pilot phase implemented by United Nations Industrial Development Organization( UNIDO,) to scale-up moringa production and productivity (M. stenopetala and M. oleifera), strengthen the value chain through integrated utilization of natural resources, and improve value addition through processing and marketing in a sustainable way. To realize its objectives, the project will focus on improving food and nutrition security and livelihood of rural households, targeting especially rural women, through the development of an inclusive and sustainable Moringa Value Chain. In particular, the project will\:

1. Enhance sustainable production and productivity of Moringa through integrated utilization of natural resources; and
2. Improve value addition of Moringa through processing and marketing of Moringa products;

Reporting Lines\:

The position is under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Ethiopia and direct supervision of the Socio-economic Team Leader and closely works with Country office Teams.

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Ethiopia Socio Economy Team Leader and the technical support of relevant Sub regional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) Officers, the incumbent will provide technical inputs and support on matters related to improved rural livelihoods through support to Moringa Value Chain development

• Initiate implementation of work plan and organize inception workshop and kick start project implementation;
• Support the development of Letter of Agreements (LOA ) and follow up implementation;
• Develop specific training material and curricula to enhance production and productivity of moringa (M. stenopetala);
• Establish quality control mechanisms for genetic material and a well-structured seed system;
• Support capacity development of public Institutions and value chain actors;
• Facilitate forward and backward linkages between value chain actors to link them with national and international markets;
• Support development of moringa-based (nutritious) products & recipes for local communities (in synergy with Output 2);
• Support the introduction and foster the procurement of moringa stenopetala & oleifera as food/food supplement (e.g. utilization of moringa in homegrown school feeding programs, etc.);
• Set up a Joint Project Implementation Unit;
• Co-ordinate all project activities, ensure that duties and responsibilities, of all project staff and partners are well defined, and liaise with collaborating institutions for timely implementation;
• Develop Project factsheets, videos and other promotional material (including media local campaigns, awareness raising initiatives at national and international);
• Conduct Project Monitoring (mid-term and final reports, , etc.) and evaluation;
• Prepare and submit timely report;
• Perform other related duties as required.

• Candidates should be national of Ethiopia
• Advanced University Degree in Nutrition, Food Science, Plant Sciences or a closely related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in Nutrition, Food Science, Plant Science.
• Excellent knowledge of English both written and spoken; and good knowledge of Amharic and any other languages is an asset