National Project Coordinator (Agrifood Systems)

Organizational Setting

The FAO Sub-regional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) was established in Samoa to coordinate FAO's work across 13 member countries and one Associate Member in the Pacific sub-region. SAP is responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing programmes to address food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development priorities, and maintains relations with sub-regional institutions and entities. SAP is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok.

The Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agrifood Systems (STODAS) project is funded by the European Union Delegation (EUD) to the Pacific under project reference FED/2022/436-777 (FAO: GCP/SAP/011/EC). The project operates across Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands with a total EU budget of EUR 10 million, and aims to foster resilient, sustainable and inclusive agrifood system transformation through the following three outputs:

Output 1: Strengthened policy and institutional environment in support of national agrifood systems transformation agenda
Output 2: Strengthened sustainable and community-based production systems
Output 3: Strengthened capacities for sustainable agrifood systems

In Fiji, the project works in close partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry (MOAW), among other public, private and civil society stakeholders.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator (SRC), the National Project Coordinator (NPC) will directly report to the Programme Specialist / Project Management Specialist (PMS) based in Apia, Samoa, who acts as Team Leader for the project. The NPC will work in close collaboration with the FAO Assistant FAO Representative (AFAOR) in Fiji, the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), the international agriculture specialist assigned to the project, and the project's operations, procurement, M&E and communications teams. The NPC will maintain effective day-to-day working relations with MOAW and other national stakeholders in Fiji.

Technical Focus

The National Project Coordinator will serve as the primary in-country focal point for STODAS project implementation in Fiji during the assignment period. The NPC will provide effective technical and operational leadership to ensure that all three project outputs advance substantially in Fiji in accordance with the approved Year 3/NCE workplan, the project's Logical Framework Matrix (LFM), and FAO and EU policies and procedures.

The NPC will take ownership of delivery, provide oversight and coordination support for Outputs 1, 2 and 3, and represent FAO in national stakeholder engagements. The role requires strong technical knowledge of agrifood systems, policy development, project management and partnership coordination, as well as the ability to manage Letters of Agreement (LOAs) and procurement processes in compliance with FAO standards.

Tasks and responsibilities

Project Leadership and Coordination

•     Provide in-country leadership for STODAS implementation in Fiji, ensuring timely delivery of project outputs within approved workplans and budgets.
•     Understand and apply the project objectives, Theory of Change and relevant national policies, including Fiji’s Pathway to “A Safe, Resilient, Innovative Food System” and the Food and Nutrition Security Plan.
•     Lead implementation planning and stakeholder consultations in coordination with the PMS, LTO and national partners; support approval of workplan revisions.
•     Coordinate, monitor and report on project implementation, identifying risks and recommending corrective actions.
•     Represent FAO STODAS in national coordination mechanisms, consultations and project governance meetings, including PSC-related forums.
•     Participate in Annual Review and Planning Meetings.

Output 1: Policy and Institutional Environment

•     Lead implementation of Output 1 activities in Fiji, ensuring delivery of policy analyses, briefs, recommendations and advisory services.
•     Support policy reviews, assessments and evaluations of agrifood-related policies, strategies and sector plans.
•     Facilitate development, validation and dissemination of policies and strategies related to agrifood systems transformation, climate resilience, nutrition, digitalization and agribusiness development.
•     Organize stakeholder consultations, dialogue platforms and validation workshops, ensuring inclusion of women, youth and vulnerable groups.
•     Coordinate food loss and waste assessments and support implementation of mitigation measures, including improved post-harvest practices.
•     Oversee analytical studies, market assessments and feasibility studies related to agrifood systems development.
•     Contribute to capacity-building programmes for policymakers, extension officers, private sector actors and civil society organizations.
•     Maintain effective collaboration with MOAW and other relevant ministries and stakeholders.

Output 2: Production Systems

•     Coordinate and monitor implementation of LOAs and service contracts under Output 2, ensuring timely delivery and compliance with FAO standards.
•     Support activities related to climate-resilient crop and livestock production systems, nurseries, demonstration sites and farmer support programmes.
•     Coordinate procurement planning and timely preparation of technical specifications for project inputs and equipment.
•     Conduct regular field monitoring visits and provide technical support to implementing partners.

Output 3: Agribusiness Capacity Development

•     Oversee and support the operation of the Agribusiness Incubation (ABI) Centre in Fiji.
•     Support delivery of agribusiness, entrepreneurship and value-addition training programmes, particularly for women and youth.
•     Facilitate identification and support of small agribusinesses and strengthen linkages with the ABI Centre.
•     Monitor implementation of Output 3 LOAs and service contracts.

LOA and Procurement Management

•     Lead preparation of LOA scopes of work, selection of service providers and monitoring of implementation in accordance with FAO procedures.
•     Coordinate procurement-related activities, including preparation of technical specifications and support for customs clearance and logistics processes.
•     Provide technical guidance to service providers and monitor compliance with contractual obligations and reporting requirements.
•     Coordinate with procurement and operations specialists to ensure compliance with FAO and donor requirements.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

•     Work closely with the national M&E consultant to ensure quality data collection, monitoring and reporting, including gender-disaggregated data.
•     Support baseline surveys, beneficiary databases and project monitoring systems.
•     Prepare inputs for progress reports, PSC updates, Annual Review and Planning Meetings and donor reports.
•     Support project evaluations and other monitoring and assessment exercises.

Communications and Knowledge Management

•     Support implementation of project communication and visibility activities in accordance with EU and FAO requirements.
•     Ensure appropriate branding and visibility for project outputs, events and publications.
•     Document and disseminate lessons learned, success stories and knowledge products.
•     Represent STODAS at relevant national and regional events as required.

Other Duties

•     Perform other duties required for the effective implementation of the STODAS project.
•     Maintain close collaboration with the FAO AFAOR in Fiji and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate project delivery.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     University degree in agriculture, agrifood systems, natural resource management, development studies, public policy or a closely related field from an institution recognised by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO.
•     A minimum of three years of progressively responsible professional experience in agricultural development, agrifood systems, project management or related fields, with demonstrated in-country experience in the Pacific, preferably in Fiji.
•     Working knowledge of English. 
•     National of Fiji

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Strong leadership, coordination and team management skills.
•     Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills, with demonstrated ability to work effectively across government, civil society and private sector.
•     Strong analytical and report-writing skills, with ability to produce clear, concise and high-quality reports in English.
•     Proven ability to manage complex workplans and multiple priorities under time pressure.
•     Knowledge of gender mainstreaming and youth inclusion in agricultural development programmes.
•     Proficiency in standard office software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with project MIS or data management tools is an advantage.

Selection Criteria

•     Proven track record in managing development projects funded by international donors, including experience with LOA or contract management.
•     Experience in agrifood policy development, stakeholder consultation facilitation or capacity building for government counterparts and civil society.
•     Experience working with government ministries, CSOs and international organizations in a collaborative implementation setting.
•     Familiarity with FAO project management procedures, including procurement and reporting, is an asset.
•     Knowledge of iTaukei or Hindi is an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION