National Lead Technical Expert

Organizational Setting

Aligned with national priorities for the Sustainable Development Goals, FAO in Serbia focuses its activities to accelerate action towards sustainable agriculture. Jointly with partners, FAO works on issues related to forestry, food system transformation, biodiversity, land degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, and the impacts of climate change and natural disasters on agriculture and the rural economy. By working closely with partners across sectors, FAO aims to improve agricultural productivity, food security, and land restoration, and protect ecosystems and biodiversity through environmentally friendly strategies and practices that help increase community resilience- in the spirit of Agenda 2030.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Country Representative, the direct operational supervision of the National Programme Coordinator, under the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and in close collaboration with the FAO project team and relevant national and local partners (including UNOPS and UN Women), the National Lead Technical Expert will lead and coordinate the daily implementation of project activities.

Technical Focus

The position focuses on the implementation of the Joint Programme “Unlocking Investments for SDG Acceleration and Agrifood Systems Transformation in Serbia”. The expert contributes local knowledge and technical expertise related to sustainable investments, agriculture and rural development, territorial coordination, investment pipeline development, and the facilitation of communication and coordination among relevant stakeholders. Key partners and stakeholders include government ministries, local governments, NGOs, farmers and farmers' associations, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), and commercial banks.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Lead Technical Expert will organize the implementation and delivery of project activities toward the fulfillment of objectives, milestones, and targets and will coordinate and lead the local team on a daily basis and perform the following key actions:

•     Lead and coordinate the work of national consultants; prepare and update the project implementation plan, support the procurement plan, and draft ToRs/LoAs. 
•     Establish internal and external communication structures; maintain coordination with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SKGO), the Rural Network of Serbia, PUNOs, and RCO; mobilize public and private stakeholders. 
•     Prepare and lead the project inception mission, organize inception workshops, and prepare materials for Project Steering Committee Meetings. 
•     Facilitate the establishment and operational support of Territorial Investment Platforms (TIPs); lead territorial diagnostics and stakeholder mapping to identify priorities and investment constraints. 
•     Lead the identification, screening, and advancement of investment opportunities (concept development, feasibility studies, business planning, technical documentation); support IPARD-aligned investment opportunities with the IPARD Managing Authority and Directorate for Agrarian Payments. 
•     Engage with IFIs, commercial banks, guarantee providers, EBRD, and the Serbian Competitive Agriculture Project (SCAP World Bank) to define cooperation mechanisms and match investment opportunities with financing sources. 
•     Actively drive the achievement of ambitious gender participation benchmarks in coordination with UN Women; monitor technical delivery of project partners and prepare progress, interim, and ad-hoc project reports for donors and FAO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
•     Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience (Category B) in managing, leading, or coordinating projects related to agricultural investments, rural development, territorial development, or agrifood systems transformation. 
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English and Serbian. 
•     National of Serbia or resident with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION