Organizational Setting

FAO's Subregional Office for West Africa is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing Subregional agri-food systems and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations such as ECOWAS, CILSS, UEMOA and Mano River Union. It assists the FAO Representations (FAORs) in the sub region with addressing subregional food security, agriculture and rural development issues at country level. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Africa. The Subregional office also works directly with country offices in the implementation of subregional and regional projects. 
The GCF funded project: Accelerating Actions towards effective climate risks management in key sectors in Sierra Leone is a three-year project aimed at assessing climate stresses in key sectors, conduct series of stakeholder engagements/consultations, review Initial NAP to assess progress and identify the remaining gaps for inclusion into Full NAP that is to be developed. It is structured around four interventions areas while guaranteeing gender integration. 
a)    Adaptation planning governance and institutional coordination. 
b)    Evidence base for climate change adaptation planning and investment. 
c)    Private sector engagement and investment strategy in adaptation; and
d)    Climate adaptation financing.

Reporting Lines

The National Project Coordinator will report to the FAOR, Sierra Leone on administrative and managerial issues and reports also to the AFAOR on programmatic issues.

Technical focus

The National Project Coordinator (NPC) is responsible for overseeing the implementation, coordination, and stakeholder engagement of the project at all levels—chiefdom, district, and national. Under the supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR), the NPC manages day-to-day operations, monitors project results and risks (including social, environmental, financial, and operational), and ensures transparency and accountability among project personnel. 
The NPC also supervises activity execution in line with the budget, provides technical input, and leads planning efforts. Additionally, the NPC is tasked with reporting and presenting project outcomes to key stakeholders including the LTO, AFAOR (Programme), FAOR, NDA, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, GCF Focal Person, SFW, and RAF.

Tasks and responsibilities

In particular, the National Project Coordinator will be responsible for coordination, consultation and collaboration with other relevant institutions both private and public for the smooth implementation of the project and will perform among other the following functions:

Project Management

•     Carry out the day-to-day management of the project and coordination of planning, implementation supervision of activities to ensure efficient provision of both administrative and technical support services;
•     Oversee the overall planning, implementation, and monitoring of the project adaptation. 
•     Ensure effective coordination between various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and other partners. 
•     Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to facilitate project implementation. 
•     Manag project budgets, tracking expenditures, and ensuring financial accountability. 
•     Preparing regular progress reports, financial reports, and other necessary documentation for project oversight. 
•     Support the development of local capacity for climate change adaptation through training and knowledge sharing. 
•     Facilitate adherence to the standard FAO and GCF M&E requirements to ensure that they are fulfilled to the highest quality, 
•     Ensure fluid communication between all stakeholders of the project (including FAO, the NDA and other stakeholders)
•     Develop annual work plans to support the efficient implementation of the project.
•     Serve as Secretary to the Project Steering Committee (PSC) ensuring that all the decisions made by the PSC are duly executed to ensure a smooth implementation of the project.
•     Liaise with the Project Management Unit (PMU) in all aspects of the project work and coordinate project activities at national, district and site level;

Technical Coordination

•     Support capacity development of government staff and other stakeholders through knowledge sharing activities. 
•     Prepare Terms of Reference (ToRs) 
•     Liaise and coordinate work carried out by international and national consultants;
•     Monitor procurement/inventory and distribution of project equipment/inputs for project activities. 
•     Lead all communication aspects related to the project including preparation of publicity and visibility materials for sharing with government and stakeholders.
•     Coordinate and organize meetings with the GCF NDA (EPA), Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, stakeholders, GCF Focal Person, other relevant ministries, department and agencies, CSOs and private sector.
•     Manage and coordinate project activities to ensure efficient provision of both administrative and technical support 
•     Coordinate the timely and quality implementation of overall project components by providing technical support and ensuring appropriate linkages amongst the consultants and other actors.
•     Follow up with the Operations and Finance Officer and other administrative staff  for timely response to financial and administrative issues
•     Develop a full project work plan and associated expenditure plan.
•     Prepare policy briefs and updates FAOR, the LTO, the NDA, GCF Focal Person and the Minister
•     Prepare project progress report (every 6 months in accordance with FAO reporting requirements)
•     Monitor procurement and bid documents development and in selection process.
•     Coordinate the organizing and conducting of assessments, consultations and workshops, including arranging logistics 
•     Coordinate the organizing of trainings and other workshops including other engagements;
•     Coordinate with relevant national stakeholders and communities in service delivery;
•     Providing technical guidance and support to project staff and partners on adaptation-related issues. 
•     Ensuring effective communication about the project's progress and achievements. 
•     Adhere to FAO’s rules and standards of behavior.

In close collaboration with Office of Communications (OCC) branches and appropriate Communication focal points, the incumbent will:

•     Coordinate with the Communication Officer to develop and disseminate awareness raising materials at the various levels

FAO Standards and guidelines:

Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en 
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia  
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE(https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).

Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

•     Perform other tasks as may be requested by his/her supervisor and the Regional Coordinator;
Project management and administration
•     Provide advice on project and monitoring for the achievement of results at the output, outcome and impact levels;
•     Lead and liaise with the Project Management Unit (PMU) in all aspects of the project work and coordinate project activities at national, district, chiefdom and community levels.
•     Develop project work plan and expenditure plan and identify risks that may affect project results and apply corresponding mitigation strategies.
•     Develop an effective monitoring and evaluation system for project deliverables
•     Ensure proportional approach, cohesion and coordination between different components within the country
•     Work with the PMU to address obstacles and challenges
•     Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues, such as gender, communication and human rights, monitoring and evaluation. 
•     Ensure good coordination and collaboration with governments, beneficiaries, key stakeholders etc.
•     Represent the project in national/international fora on NAP and climate adaptation/mitigation. 
Policy advice and knowledge management: 
•     Provide strategic policy advice to the NDA, GCF Focal Person, relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies and other partners on issues related to NAP. 
•     Lead and direct in knowledge management and capacity strengthening at national level;
•     Assist in the recruitment of some technical staff

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Master’s degree in environment, climate change, natural resource 
•     At least 5-years’ experience in project management and implementation related to the environment, forest and climate
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English .
•     National of Sierra Leone

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/ Functional Skills

•     In depth understanding of GCF operations, NAP development and climate risk assessment;
•     Ability to lead and coordinate the project teams for effective delivery of projects objectives and expected results, within the limits of the budget and timeline of the project.
•     Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize large amount of data into analytical and practical knowledge/ information.
•     Significant experience in project management, preferably in climate change adaptation or a related field. 
•     Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, as well as experience in stakeholder management and financial management. 
•     Familiarity with climate change adaptation strategies, policies, and best practices, as well as relevant national and international framework
•     Extensive professional experience in coordination of climate change or NAP projects/programmes.
•     Extensive experience in leading (physically and/or remotely) field teams and provide technical expertise and strategical backstopping during the implementation of the proposal
•     Previous work experience in coordinating GCF or global project would be an added advantage.

Selection Criteria

•     Master’s degree in land governance is an added advantage.  
•     Thorough knowledge of national institutions, and their mandates
•     Previous working experience with UN or international organizations will be an added advantage.
•     Demonstrated knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation;
•     Knowledge of the Green Climate Fund architecture, the NDC and the transparency framework of the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC.
•     Experience in organizing, facilitating and generating reports for workshops and interinstitutional dialogues.
•     Experience in international founded projects related to forestry, environmental management and climate change.
•     Experience in working with Government.
•     Any further language may be an added advantage.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION