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 India is implementing several Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded initiatives aimed at delivering national and global environmental benefits while conserving biodiversity and restoring land and forest landscapes. In addition, a number of projects—including those supported under FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP)—are currently under implementation or development and contribute to agrifood system transformation in India, in line with the Country Programming Framework (CPF). Collectively, these initiatives promote integrated and multidisciplinary approaches to agrifood system transformation. They seek to simultaneously advance environmental protection, inclusiveness, and livelihood improvement, in line with FAO’s strategic Four Betters, while expanding investment opportunities, actively engaging the private sector as a key partner in driving sustainable and scalable transformation, and working closely with the Government of India.

Under GEF 6, FAO India is implementing the Green-Ag Project which strengthens policy and institutional frameworks to mainstream biodiversity conservation, sustainable land and forest management, and climate change mitigation in agriculture, with field level demonstrations in Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand.

Under GEF 7, FAO is implementing the FOLUR project, promoting sustainable rice–wheat systems in Punjab, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha to reduce land degradation, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing farmer livelihoods.

GEF 8 is guided by the Healthy Planet, Healthy People framework, recognizing the strong link between human well being and environmental health. As a GEF partner agency, FAO supports countries in delivering sustainable, transformative, and scalable results.

FAO also supports the Government of India through complementary initiatives on climate resilience and resource management, including fisheries infrastructure under TCP projects, community based irrigation under Indian Irrigation Towards 2030, partnerships with NABARD on carbon markets, and FAO India will soon start preparing a new set of TCP for 2026-2027 cycle.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in India, and in close coordination with the Assistant FAO Representatives (Programme and Administration), and in close collaboration with relevant technical officers, GEF and TCP Project Managers and implementing partners will be responsible for the effective coordination, implementation, and oversight of FAO India’s programme of internationally funded projects and TCPs.

Technical Focus

The Programme Coordinator will guide and coordinate with all relevant Project Managers to implement the FAO GEF and TCP projects in India.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include:

1. Strategic Coordination and Oversight
•     Provide overall coordination, technical guidance and strategic oversight for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of FAO India projects funded by GEF and TCP and other international partners, ensuring alignment with approved project documents, workplans, and budgets.
•     Ensure coherent and timely delivery of project outputs, outcomes, and results across multi state and multi stakeholder project teams.
 

2. Technical Support to GEF and TCP Project Teams
•     Support and guide Project Managers and project teams in planning, implementation, problem solving, and adaptive management to ensure effective delivery of activities.
•     Provide technical guidance on FAO-approved project management tools and methodologies, including results-based management (RBM), risk management, safeguards, gender mainstreaming, and compliance with FAO and GEF policies.
 

3. Annual Work Planning, Budgeting, and Consolidation
•     Lead the consolidation of annual and multi year workplans, budgets, and implementation schedules, in coordination with relevant units at FAO RAP and Headquarters, and implementing partners.
•     Review and ensure internal consistency across national and state-levels and partner-led planning inputs.
 

4. Monitoring, Performance Tracking, and Risk Management
•     Monitor project performance against results frameworks, indicators, milestones, and implementation targets.
•     Identify bottlenecks, risks, and emerging issues, and propose corrective measures to ensure timely and effective implementation.
•     Maintain oversight of risk mitigation measures and ensure the updating of risk logs and assurance plans.
 

5. Reporting and Quality Assurance
•     Coordinate the preparation, quality control, and timely submission of technical, financial, and narrative progress reports to FAO Headquarters, donors, and national counterparts.
•     Ensure compliance with FAO and GEF-specific reporting formats, standards, and deadlines.
 

6. Financial Monitoring and Oversight
•     Support financial oversight in close coordination with FAO administrative and finance units, including monitoring budgets, tracking expenditures, and contributing to financial forecasting.
•     Ensure adherence to FAO financial procedures and donor requirements.
 

7. Procurement and Contracting
•     Facilitate procurement processes and contract management for consultants, service providers, and implementing partners.
•     Ensure that procurement activities follow FAO rules, documentation requirements, and quality standards.
 

8. Reviews, Evaluations, and Audits
•     Coordinate and support GEF 7 mid-term reviews (MTRs), terminal evaluations, audits, and supervision missions.
•     Liaise with internal and external stakeholders and ensure timely provision of documents, data, and logistical support.
 

9. Stakeholder Engagement and Representation
•     Maintain effective working relationships with Government of India counterparts at national and state levels, including relevant ministries, departments, and implementing agencies.
•     Liaise with donors, UN agencies, and development partners to facilitate coordination and information exchange.
•     Represent FAO India in programme meetings, Project Task Force meetings, coordination platforms, and stakeholder consultations.
 

10. Knowledge Management and Capacity Development
•     Support knowledge management by documenting and disseminating lessons learned, good practices, and success stories.
•     Contribute to capacity development of national staff, implementing partners, and project teams on project management, monitoring, reporting, safeguards, and compliance requirements.

11. Oversight of Operational Partners Implementation Modality (OPIM)
•     Support the monitoring of the Operational Partner Implementation Modality (OPIM), including review of progress updates and tracking of key indicators.
•     Coordinate with State Operational Partners to finalize and submit all donor-mandated reports, ensuring quality and compliance with FAO/ donor templates.
•     Support Joint Review Meetings (JRMs) and ensure the preparation and submission of related documents, including updates to the Risk Mitigation and Assurance Plan.
 

12. Other Responsibilities
•     Perform any other duties required to support effective implementation and coordination of FAO India’s project portfolio.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in agriculture, environmental sciences, natural resource management, development studies, or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•     At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in project/programme management including 5 years of in-country project implementation in any other country and two years in India., preferably with international organizations or UN agencies.
•     Working knowledge of English (C1); knowledge of Hindi or other Indian languages is an asset.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical skills and competencies

•     Experiences in leading GEF and other internationally funded projects will be an asset
•     Knowledge of FAO and GEF work/procedures, or other UN agencies, would be an asset.
•     Strong project management skills, including planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
•     Proven coordination and stakeholder engagement skills with government, donors, and implementing partners
•     Proven experience in planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of multi-stakeholder development projects.
•     Strong knowledge of Government of India systems, policies, and institutional frameworks relevant to agriculture, climate change, environment, or natural resources.
•     Demonstrated ability to coordinate with multiple partners, including government counterparts, donors, and implementing agencies.
•     Experience in financial management, procurement and HR.
•     Strong analytical, communication, and team management skills.

Note: Applicants should be independent of any organizations that have been involved in designing, executing or advising on any aspect of the project being evaluated in the MTR and should not have been involved in any aspect of the project previously.