Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind. FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level. The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. 
Specifically, FAO Country Offices:

i.    Advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate.
ii.    Provide technical assistance and deliver core services. 
iii.    Assist and catalyze partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.  
iv.    Position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management

The project on “UGANDA REDD-plus RBP for results period 2016-2017” funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) aims at addressing the main drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in UGANDA, through reduction of emissions while laying the foundation for sustainable development in the country´s land use and forestry sector. It builds on over a decade of national commitment and international collaboration and aims at promoting sustainable forest management through climate-smart agriculture, improved management of forest resources, and forest restoration. These efforts will strengthen community resilience and will contribute to Uganda`s commitments such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National. Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP). FAO supports Uganda to (i) design and adopt national contributions to the mitigation of climate change through REDD , including the provision of additional social and environmental benefits, and in conformity with the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC)´s REDD safeguards; (ii) implement national contributions to the mitigation of climate change through REDD with the necessary institutional arrangements in place; (iii) development and improvement of Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) capacities, institutional framework and carbon rights to access results-based payments.

Reporting Lines

Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative in Uganda and the direct technical supervision of the Team Leader, Forestry FAO Uganda, and the technical backstopping of the Lead Technical Officer, the National Project Manager/Coordinator will work with other programme specialists, and analysts in the implementation of the project.

Technical Focus

The main role of the national project coordinator is to organize work plans, procurement plan and budget to ensure effective implementation of the project while fostering regular stakeholder engagement

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Lead the daily management and coordination of the project team and activities.
•     Lead work plan of the project management unit (PMU).
•     Coordinate the development and updating of project-related documents and ensure their implementation and monitoring throughout the project’s duration.
•     Ensure the development of Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWP/B), procurement plans, travel plans and M&E plans.
•     Ensure compliance with FAO, GCF and UGANDA government procedures.
•     Coordinate inter-agency and inter-ministerial activities.
•     Organize regular coordination with implementing partners such as Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE). 
•     Support the convening of the Project Board (PB) / Project Steering Committee (PSC).
•     Coordinate technical reporting to FAO and GCF.
•     Supervise technical affiliate personnel and implementing partners.
•     Liaise with FAO technical units at the Regional and Subregional Offices and the Headquarters, as needed, to support the implementation of the project, including the timely mobilization of experts.
•     Support the strategic alignment of the project with the FAO Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the FAO’s Strategic Framework and Regional Initiatives (RIs).
•     Represent the project in external engagements.
•     Carry out any other task that may be requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     University degree in forestry, natural resource management, or a related field
•     Ten years of relevant experience in natural resources management, forest and/or land management and on REDD / halting deforestation including knowledge on REDD process and at least one (or more) among: implementation of emission reductions actions (including through social forestry, sustainable supply chains, peatlands/mangroves management), MRV and forest and land monitoring
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English
•     National of Uganda

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
•     Experience and knowledge on forests climate / results-based finance opportunities are desirable.
•     Experience in sustainable forest and sustainable agriculture production and markets would be considered an additional asset.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in working with intergovernmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.
•     Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining partnerships, including government institutions and agencies.
•     Demonstrated ability to formulate, draft and finalize clear technical and policy documents, guidelines and manuals, in English.
•     Extent and relevance of work experience on forest monitoring and social forestry/community-based forestry in the context of national and sub-national REDD implementation.
•     Excellent communication skills and ability to present complex topics to a variety of technical and non-technical audiences.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION