Food Systems City Coordinator

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 member nations 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a technical knowledge-based organization marching forward with policy dialogues and advocating for the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all ; and, the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations in the underdeveloped countries. Our three main goals are : the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all ; and, the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

This project will seek to support the Government of Bangladesh at different levels to develop an appropriate food agenda for the Dhaka Metropolitan Area. On one hand it will build urban food planning capacity and skills, while on the other it will explore policy options to improve access to and the distribution of safe, healthy and nutritious food within the DMA, reduce urban food waste and encourage consumers at all levels of society to make more informed food choices. Strong engagement with both the private sector and civil society will be necessary to support the desired enabling policy and regulatory environment to assist the Government of Bangladesh achieve its obligations under the New Urban Agenda. The desired outcome for this project and the main objective is to contribute to the development of a safe, sustainable and resilient food system for the Dhaka Metropolitan Area through an iterative action learning approach.

Reporting Lines

The Food Systems City Coordinator, under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in the Bangladesh, and under direct supervision of the CTA, works in close collaboration with the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), other project coordinators, project operations.

Technical Focus

Within each of Dhaka’s four city corporations – Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Gazipur, and Narayanganj -- the Dhaka Food Systems Project supports Government-led initiatives to address critical needs in the cities’ urban food system, as well as mobilize support amongst key stakeholders to promote a public agenda prioritizing improved food security, access to nutritious food for all, and sustainable long-term food planning. To do so working groups will be set up in each city focused on a variety of key issues, including food waste, urban nutrition for the poor, and food markets; they will identify key issues and prioritize them, as well as implement targeted actions. The strategy focuses on capacity building, analysis of the cities’ food systems, and interventions identified and developed by urban stakeholders that address priority needs. Ultimately city-level leadership will contribute to the formation of a metropolitan-level governance structure for Dhaka related to food, and a food agenda that supports improved nutrition and access to food for all for future generations.

The consultant will be based in 1 City Corporation on a part-time basis, while spending the remaining time at the Dhaka Food System project office, and work together with city officials and stakeholders. His/ her overall aim will be to facilitate the capacity building of the various project stakeholders and partners, identify key interventions and coordinate the timely implementation of city-level programme activities, and serve as a liaison between the city and the Dhaka Food Systems Team throughout the project period.

Tasks and responsibilities :

• Provide guidance and mentorship support and maintain close communication with the City Food System Working Group (CFSWG) members, including Local Government officials and food system stakeholders, and support the planning and realization of routine meetings, and the implementation of project strategies.
• Lead the preparation and implementation of the annual results-based work plans and result frameworks as endorsed by the project management team.
• Facilitate the implementation of city-level activities, these are related to food waste, retail and wholesale markets, distribution of food, food safety regulations and enforcement, campaigns to raise awareness, amongst others.
• Facilitate city-level dialogues with stakeholder partners.
• Prepare annual training plans with a quarterly breakdown, prepare budgets for each training course and send to HQ through CPB for approval and subsequent execution.
• Support the development of training materials – including documenting lessons learned -- to ensure that information is adequately targeted at a variety of different city-level audiences.

• Coordinate and deliver trainings to Local Government officials and urban stakeholders on a variety of technical capacity building areas related to urban food systems. Prior training and materials will be provided to Food Systems City Coordinators by FAO and Wageningan University.

• Lead stakeholders to analyse various aspects of the city-level food system in the city resulting in the creation of city-level food systems reports and information packages.

• Maintain close communication with the Ward Offices of City Corporations and mobilize ward-level officials/resources to execute/monitor Dhaka Food Systems implementation.

• Ensure timely preparation of periodic monitoring reports related to programmatic activities and finance to be submitted to HQ staff, identify gaps and undertake corrective actions on time

• Ensure proper management of project resources, i.e. vehicle, equipment and oversight administration and financial management at the city level for optimum uses and ensure security of resources.
• Coordinate and communicate with relevant high-level government officials, donors, NGOs, academic institutions and the private sector agencies present at city-level to establish linkages/partnerships to synergize project resources, experience sharing, and coordinate activities with the Dhaka Food System project
• Provide support to the Dhaka Food Systems CTA on activities related to liaison with various city-level stakeholders, and assist in establishing a continuous dialogue.
• Ensure efficient office management procedures, maintain up to date record keeping, and proper use of project vehicles and other equipment in the city.
• Maintain regular communication with the national government focal point
• Provide regular updates and information to the focal point
• Participate in and support the National Steering Committee and National Project Committee meetings
• Perform other related duties as required by the City Food System Working Group (CFSWG or FAO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University Degree in Urban Development, Nutrition, Social Sciences, International Development, Food-related subjects
• At least 7 years of experience including 3 years in a project management position with responsibility of managing budget and management of professional staff as well as building partnerships with organizations/agencies
• Proven experience in gaining cooperation, building and managing relations and partnerships with Local Government Institutions/organizations/agencies, as well as diverse range of stakeholders, preferably with the Dhaka City Corporations
• Sound knowledge and working experience related to the policy, legislation and regulation of municipal frameworks in Bangladesh.
• Working experience in UN organizations/ International donor organizations will be preferred
• Significant experience of community-based development projects preferably in contexts of urban poverty
• Experience in gender responsive programming/implementation.
• National of Bangladesh

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extensive knowledge of City Governance frameworks related to legislation, policy, and regulation in Bangladesh;
• Experience of working within or with state structures on similar issues would be of advantage;
• Skills in advocacy, tact and a high degree of discretion and integrity;
• Demonstrated competency in planning, facilitating, and executing project activities;
• Demonstrated competency in capacity building and training
• High-level managerial, supervisory, analytical and negotiating skills;
• Excellent ability to communicate in a credible and effective manner;

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: Careers@fao.org
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.