Local Project Management Specialist – Pandemic Preparedness

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) lead FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of priority programme activities. REU ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, supports policy dialogue, strengthens regional partnerships, and oversees the implementation and monitoring of FAO programmes and projects in Europe and Central Asia.

The position is linked to the Pandemic Fund project “MAKE-READY - North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo¹  Emergency Ready”, a multi-country initiative implemented by FAO across the Europe and Central Asia region. In Kosovo, the project is implemented in close collaboration with the Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA).

The project aims to strengthen Kosovo capacities for the prevention, early detection and effective response to zoonotic disease threats through a One Health approach. It supports enhanced surveillance systems, laboratory capacities, workforce development, risk assessment and multisectoral coordination mechanisms, contributing to improved pandemic preparedness.

Within this framework, the Local Project Management Specialist will support the project office in Kosovo and REU technical teams in the effective coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of project activities, working closely with FAO, local counterparts, implementing partners and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the timely achievement of project objectives and results.

Reporting Lines

The Local Project Management Specialist will operate under the overall guidance of the Deputy Regional Representative/Regional Programme Leader, the direct supervision of the Field Programme Officer and will closely cooperate with the technical and operational teams.

Technical Focus

The Local Project Management Specialist supports FAO in the effective coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of project activities in close consultation with the Local Technical Advisor. The incumbent will serve as the primary responsible for monitoring project progress against agreed workplans and project indicators, supporting field implementation, and ensuring compliance with FAO procedures, donor requirements and reporting obligations.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Ensure the overall sound and timely implementation of the project activities, in line with the approved workplan, budget and donor requirements at local level;
• Support the Local Technical Advisor in the coordination and regular communication with all project partners to facilitate effective collaboration and achievement of project objectives;
• Be responsible for the regular review and monitoring of project implementation against workplan targets, milestones and indicators, and proactively support identifying and address implementation bottlenecks;
• Be responsible for the liaison and coordination with other implementing entities, delivery partners, FAO programme and operational teams and relevant UN Kosovo Team focal points for matters related to monitoring and reporting of achieved targets.
• Be responsible for organizing regular project coordination meetings, both in person and online to review progress of project activities and achievement of milestones, in line with the agreed workplan;
• Support planning, organization and implementation of project activities, including meetings, trainings, workshops and other project events;
• When pertinent, participate in local field visits to the project implementation sites to gather evidence for monitoring and reporting purposes;
• Draft the terms of reference for project management local specialists (including, monitoring, communication, gender, reporting etc.) including tasks, responsibilities and reporting lines, for review and clearance of the respective FAO’s responsible officers;
• Support the preparation of Letters of Agreement (LoAs) and contracts under the project, with specific attention to budget, performance indicators and means of verification, monitoring and reporting requirements;
• Contribute to project visibility, knowledge-sharing and communication activities, as required;
• Coordinate the collection of relevant project implementation documentation, data and evidence from stakeholders and project partners for monitoring and reporting purposes;
• Support and contribute to the timely preparation donor-related narrative progress and terminal reports, and other supporting documentation, ensuring timely submission and consistency with agreed reporting requirements.
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture, economics, public or business administration, finance, accounting, social sciences, or another field related to FAO mandate.
• At least five years of relevant working experience in the management and coordination of projects.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Albanian.
• National of Serbia or Albania or resident of one of the two countries with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection criteria

•     Knowledge of Serbian will be considered as an asset.

¹ References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION