Programme Specialist

Organizational Setting

The FAO Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean (FAO - SLC), based in Barbados, supports Member Countries in advancing sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agri-food systems across the region. The Office provides technical assistance, policy advice, and capacity development across agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and natural resource management, in alignment with national priorities and global development frameworks.

FAO- SLC works closely with governments, regional institutions, and development partners to design and implement programmes that address key challenges such as food security and nutrition, climate change, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk management. The Office facilitates knowledge exchange, promotes the adoption of innovative practices, and strengthens institutional capacities to improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience.

The Office manages a growing portfolio of climate resilience, ecosystem-based adaptation, disaster risk reduction and management and environmental and natural resources conservation projects across the Caribbean and works closely with the respective Governments to build sustainable, climate and disaster resilient, and nature-positive agri-food systems.

Reporting Lines

Under the direct supervision of the Sub-regional Coordinator for the Caribbean, the Programme Specialist will report to the Field Programme Support and Monitoring Officer.

Technical Focus

The Specialist will be responsible for the coordination of the technical and operational support of the programme and project activities of the FAO Representation in Barbados and OECS (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines).

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals and monitor and review the status of programme/project implementation for the seven countries under the Barbados Representation; the country programmes include TCP projects, TCP Facility projects, Trust Fund projects, and Regular Programme activities/projects.
• Provide support to the Budget Holder in the management of all projects falling under the responsibility of the Sub-Regional Coordinator; specifically, to:

• ensure that project activities are implemented in support of an approved, results-based work plan;
• provide operational guidance and support to technical units and project personnel, identifying and managing risks in consultation with the relevant expert units;
• review operational feasibility of project proposals and oversee operational clearance.

• Liaise and cooperate with Government authorities and with local, national and international institutions in the areas of FAO’s activities in the countries under the Barbados Representation.
• Liaise with the other UN Agencies with respect to the preparation and implementation of the Multi-country Sustainable Development Framework (MSDF), the Sub-regional Implementation Plan of the MSDF and joint UN projects and to support UN Thematic Groups, the Task Forces for monitoring and reporting on the MSDF, the Eastern Caribbean Partners Group, UN Sub-Regional Team Retreats and UN Agency meetings.
• Coordinate the formulation and updating of the Country Programming Framework (CPF), country briefs and the preparation of annual reports as well as producing technical, economic and policy studies as required and developing country level development frameworks.
• Provide technical inputs, background information and programme/project information to support resource mobilization initiatives of the Sub-Regional Office in the Caribbean.
• Provide technical and administrative support to the FAOR in the development and operation of the National Correspondent Scheme in the Sub-Region through liaising with governments, recruitment, evaluation and monitoring of country activities.
• Provide support to FAO’s normative programme through the collection of information and statistics from countries under the Representation.
• Participate in the implementation of the Ex-post Assessment (EPA) for TCP projects of the Organization at the Sub-regional level through the identification of Strategic Objectives and Target Setting for SLC and through support to Administration in the budgeting process.
• Perform any other duties as required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree/University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in climate change, agriculture, environmental sciences, natural resource management or other related discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in agricultural development, project development, implementation and monitoring, and sustainable agriculture
• Working knowledge of English (level C).

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Quality of both oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and partners developing effective working relationships
• Experience with UN system is considered an asset
• Computer literacy is required