Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by the FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The position is located in Sukhumi, Georgia.

Reporting Lines

The Project Coordinator / Acting Head of the FAO Project Office shall operate under the overall responsibility of the Regional Programme Leader, direct supervision of the FAO Programme Coordinator, in close coordination with other national and international colleagues of the FAO offices in Sukhumi, Zugdidi and Tbilisi.

Technical Focus

The Project Coordinator/Acting Head of the FAO Project Office will oversee the day to day management of the FAO Project office in Sukhumi, and provide technical support in agronomy to the day to day implementation of the agricultural component of the FAO projects implemented in Abkhazia. These projects support an increased resilience in Abkhazian communities, working in the agricultural sector (promotion of good agricultural practices, including extension to farmers in primary production and postharvest).

Tasks and responsibilities

As head of the FAO Project Office in Sukhumi:

•     Ensure the day to day management of the FAO Project Office
•     Provide guidance to local staff for the correct implementation of the FAO Programme in Abkhazia
•     Ensure the management of FAO assets (cars and equipment) and premises.
•     Act as the local Head of Agency for all the UN coordination in Abkhazia
•     Act as the Security focal point for FAO in Abkhazia
•     Lead the communication with the different stakeholders based in Sukhumi.

As Project Coordinator of the FAO projects in Abkhazia:

•     Support the creation of a network of 20 demonstration plots in Abkhazia, 10 of them dedicated to dairy production, and 10 dedicated to Integrated Farming Systems and Crop Diversification with a strong component of Integrated Pest Management in vegetable production.
•     Provide guidance to the local teams in the implementation of demonstration plots for extension purposes, including GAPs, IPM, as well as for the implementation of demonstration farms in dairy production.
•     Establish and maintain effective project coordination mechanisms, ensuring alignment between technical, operational, and administrative components.
•     Oversee the monitoring of project progress, including tracking indicators, milestones, and deliverables in accordance with the Logical Framework Matrix (LFM).
•     Organize and supervise the work of technical teams, through weekly work plans aligned with project workplans.
•     Organize and participate in the activities of extension and capacity development, including the preparation of training programs, training materials, and organization of training events.
•     Support the preparations of project reports. Consolidate inputs and finalize reports for submission to the donor.
•     Maintain updated work plans and procurement plans. 
•     Provide guidance to the preparation of technical specifications for the procurement of agricultural inputs/equipment needed for the implementation of the project.
•     Follow up on the budgets of the projects, and timely organize resources (study tours, missions, external consultancies, procurement) as required for the implementation of the projects.
•     Ensure day to day implementation of the viticulture project on enhanced preservation of local grape genetic resources and availability of their propagation materials through establishment of a grape collection vineyard 
•     Contribute to improvement of knowledge on management of endemic grapevines
•     Complete outlook studies on various agricultural products relevant for the Abkhazian market.
•     Follow up on the monitoring and annual control plans for Abkhazia’s most dangerous crop pests and diseases.
•     Create concept notes for project activities that will have a benefit to the local agricultural sector.
•     Develop, follow-up on, and update the workplans, budgets, and logical frameworks for all the projects under the Abkhazia component in Georgia.
•     Other duties as required.

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, agronomy, foot technology or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•     Five years of relevant experience in agriculture; proven experience in management and monitoring of agriculture related projects
•     Working knowledge of English and Russian

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Demonstrated understanding of agricultural sector
•     Excellent communication skills, proven ability to convey complex ideas through clear and effective oral presentations.
•     Good skills in community mobilization as well as inter-personal relations. 
•     Work experience in the implementation of projects in agriculture in the region will be an asset
•     Extent and relevance of experience and skills in project management at field level. 
•     Computer literacy with spreadsheets, databases and electronic programmes is an asset. 
•     Quality of both oral and written communication skills.