National Project Personnel (Project Management)

Organizational Setting

The Research and Extension Unit (OINR) based at FAO Headquarters in Rome provides advisory, technical and policy support to FAO Member countries to develop or strengthen agricultural innovation systems, including advisory and extension services. OINR is implementing in the project “Developing capacities in agricultural innovation systems: scaling up the Tropical Agriculture Platform Framework”, funded by the European Union under the DeSIRA initiative in support of the Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP) from August 2019 to July 2024. The expected outcome of the project is “strengthened capacity to innovate in national agricultural innovation systems”. To achieve this, the project will deliver four outputs: 1) TAP governance strengthened and TAP Secretariat operational (global level); 2) Countries’ agricultural innovation systems are assessed, capacity development needs are identified and AIS strengthened (national level); 3) TAP tools and approaches are integrated into regional research and extension organizations in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean and 4) Increased awareness and knowledge on using the TAP Common Framework on capacity development for AIS, through information and communication platforms. At country level (Output 2), the TAP-AIS project is implemented in Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Colombia, Eritrea, Lao PDR, Malawi, Pakistan, Rwanda, and Senegal.

FAO Pakistan will implement the project in close partnership with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. The activities will focus specifically on delivering on Output 2 and Output 4 mentioned above. The project will be implemented over a 3 to 3.5-year period, starting from 01 January 2021.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Pakistan, the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Program), and the technical guidance of lead technical officer at the Research and Extension Unit (OINR, FAO Headquarters in Rome), and in close collaboration with the national project coordinator at the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the NPP is responsible for the overall management and implementation of the project activities in accordance with the work plan and budget. Specifically, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

Technical Focus

• Provide technical support, monitor and supervise the work of consultants and the implementation of contracts (if applicable) and ensure effective and efficient implementation of activities and timely delivery of project outputs and reports;
• Prepare all outgoing documentation of the project, for clearance by Assistant FAO Representative (Program);

Tasks and responsibilities

• Plan, manage and implement the assigned programme of work of the project, in close collaboration with the National Project Coordinator, and national stakeholders and partners, and OINR, ensuring its alignment with the global TAP-AIS project
• Provide support, information and assistance to the National Project Coordinator, for effective implementation of the project, including liaison with government departments and the European Union Delegation in Pakistan;
• Coordinate, contribute and support the facilitation of capacity development activities and provide technical support during implementation in close collaboration with consultants and services providers,
• Lead the organization (technical, logistical, administrative, etc.) of all project events in accordance with FAO’s rules and procedures, and contribute to facilitate events in close collaboration the National Project Coordinator and OINR in Rome, and project staff at national level (e.g. consultants);
• Draft terms of reference and concept notes for recruitment of consultants, preparation of letters of agreement, and outgoing correspondences;
• Contribute to the identification and selection of capacity development experts and services providers; and provide technical support, monitor and supervise their work to ensure effective implementation of activities and timely delivery and reporting on results;
• Lead, contribute and facilitate interactions with stakeholders and liaise with government through the national project coordinator;
• Act as the secretary (ex-officio) to the country project team, including preparation of meetings, agendas and minutes;
• Prepare progress and annual reports, including financial report in line with the project reporting and monitoring, evaluation and learning system requirements;
• Compile, analyze and summarize project data and information under the project knowledge and management uniting relevant information;
• Contribute to knowledge management and communication activities and monitoring, evaluation and learning of the project (output 4);
• Perform any other related duty as may be requested.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree (at least MSc) in agriculture, agricultural education, agricultural extension, rural development studies, agricultural economics or other relevant discipline. Innovation system studies would be an asset;
• At least five years of proven experience in project implementation and management; Experience working with FAO is an asset;
• National of Pakistan.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in working with multiple and diverse stakeholders including government, private sector, civil society and end users;
• Strong command over spoken and written English
• Excellent team-working, planning, facilitation and communication skills;
• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting and facilitating multi-stakeholders processes including interacting with policy- and decision makers at various levels;
• Capability for planning, organizing and administering, on-the-job independent staff
• training, sessions
• Computer skills in Office Applications Including Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point;
• Having Knowledge of United Nations and International Organizations’ administrative policies and procedures.
• Familiarity and good knowledge of agricultural innovation system concept and approach, and agricultural innovation system actors and issues in Pakistan
• Knowledge and experience in conducting capacity development interventions;

Selection Criteria

Candidates will be assessed against the requirements listed above.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING