Organizational Setting
FAO Timor-Leste supports the Government of Timor-Leste and national partners in the formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting of projects financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), including projects under the GEF Trust Fund, Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), and other related climate and environmental finance windows. These projects contribute to national priorities on climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, sustainable land and water management, climate-resilient agriculture, fisheries, food systems transformation and community resilience.
FAO Timor-Leste GEF projects may be implemented through different execution arrangements, including government execution, non-government organization or technical partner execution, or other arrangements approved under FAO and GEF procedures. Across these arrangements, FAO provides implementation support, fiduciary oversight, quality assurance, safeguards oversight, technical assistance, coordination support and reporting in accordance with FAO rules and GEF requirements.
FAO Timor-Leste is seeking to recruit a National GEF Projects Operation and OPIM Coordinator to provide dedicated operational coordination and oversight for the FAO Timor-Leste GEF portfolio, with particular emphasis on the effective management of operational partnerships, execution arrangements, fiduciary compliance, assurance follow-up and delivery support.
The position is located in the FAO Representation in Dili, Timor-Leste
Reporting Lines
The National GEF Projects Operation and OPIM Coordinator will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Timor-Leste and the day-today supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme. The incumbent will also work closely with the Lead Technical Officers, Funding Liaison Officers, government counterparts, operational partners and project management units.
Technical Focus
The position will focus on operational coordination, OPIM and execution support, partner performance monitoring, fiduciary compliance, assurance follow-up, budget and delivery tracking, reporting support and coordination with FAO Timor-Leste, FAO Regional Office, Headquarters, GEF coordination teams, government counterparts and operational partners.
Task and Responsibilities
The incumbent will ensure effective operational coordination and implementation support provided to FAO Timor-Leste GEF projects, including timely funds flow, partner reporting, assurance follow-up, budget monitoring, project delivery support and preparation of management and donor reporting inputs. In particular responsibilities will include :
- Support coordination of funds transferred to and managed by operational partners or executing entities under FAO Timor-Leste GEF projects, ensuring that transactions, reporting and documentation are completed in line with signed agreements, approved work plans and FAO procedures;
- Liaise with government ministries, Directorates, national institutions, civil society organizations, operational partners and service providers to facilitate timely implementation, funds flow, procurement, logistics and reporting;
- Coordinate with FAO Regional Office, Headquarters, OPIM support functions, GEF coordination teams and relevant technical units on implementation support, compliance, reporting, assurance and risk management requirements;
- Monitor project budgets, delivery, commitments and expenditures to support BH in making decisions on effective resource allocation against approved annual work plans and budgets;
- Review and consolidate annual work plans and budgets, progress reports, financial reports, fund requests and supporting documentation submitted by project teams, operational partners or executing entities;
- Track co-financing, parallel financing and partner contributions, and support timely collection of evidence required for GEF reporting and project reviews;
- Support implementation and monitoring of Risk Mitigation and Assurance Plans, including follow-up on assurance activities, audit findings, management actions and agreed recommendations;
- Provide operational and administrative coordination support to GEF project teams, including recruitment, procurement, travel, logistics, field missions, meeting organization, asset management and documentation
- Support coordination and follow-up with national operations, finance, procurement, monitoring, communications and technical personnel engaged under FAO Timor-Leste GEF projects;
- Perfrom other related duties as required
Specifically, the incumbent will be tasked to:
- Support the preparation, update and implementation of project implementation manuals, operational guidance notes, reporting calendars, filing systems and other tools required for effective project delivery
- Provide regular updates to FAO management, Budget Holders and Project Task Forces on implementation progress, operational bottlenecks, delivery risks, budget status and required follow-up actions;
- Support preparation of Project Progress Reports, Project Implementation Reports, supervision mission documentation, steering committee materials, donor updates and completion reports;
- Coordinate and follow up with operational partners and executing entities to strengthen partner performance, timely implementation and accountable delivery;
- Support compliance with FAO rules, GEF requirements, signed agreements, approved work plans, safeguards and risk-management requirements;
- Facilitate communication among project teams, government counterparts, FAO technical units, operational partners and service providers to resolve implementation bottlenecks;
- Contribute to lessons learned, knowledge sharing and capacity development related to OPIM, execution arrangements, operational planning, reporting and assurance processes;
- Prepare an end-of-assignment report documenting achievements, challenges, lessons learned and recommendations; and
- Perform other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as requested by FAO in support of the FAO Timor-Leste GEF portfolio.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- University degree in business administration, public administration, finance, project management, development studies, natural resources management, environmental management, agriculture, economics or a related field;
- At least five years of relevant experience in project operations, administration, financial coordination, partner coordination, project implementation support, risk management, reporting or related work, preferably in externally financed development, climate, environment or natural resources programmes;
- Working knowledge of English and Tetum is required. Knowledge of Portuguese and/or Bahasa Indonesia would be an asset.
- National of Timor-Leste or resident in the country with a valid work permit.
FAO Core Competencies
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
- Extent and relevance of experience in project operations, financial coordination, budget monitoring, procurement, logistics, administration and implementation support
- Experience working with operational partners, executing entities, government institutions, civil society organizations or service providers, including coordination of funds flow, reporting and documentation;
- Knowledge of donor-funded project implementation, fiduciary compliance, risk mitigation, assurance follow-up, audit actions and reporting requirements;
- Familiarity with GEF, climate finance, biodiversity, climate resilience, natural resources management or agrifood systems projects would be an advantage;
- Demonstrated ability to consolidate work plans, budgets, fund requests, progress reports, financial reports and supporting documentation;
- Strong coordination, communication, analytical, planning and problem-solving skills, including the ability to work with multidisciplinary teams and multiple stakeholders.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
