Senior National Project Coordinator (Forest and Land Use)

Organizational Setting

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 Nations and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
(i)    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO's mandate.
(ii)      provide technical assistance and deliver core services.
(iii)     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.
(iv)     position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
(v)      ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The field programme of the FAO Representation in Malawi includes a cluster of projects and interventions in the fields of Natural Resources and Climate Change. These include, amongst many others, the Malawi component of the regional project ‘Achieving AFR100 with forest and farm producers’, supported by the German Ministry of Environment (BMZ), and the project ‘Transforming landscapes and livelihoods - a cross-sector approach to accelerate restoration of Malawi’ under the Drylands Sustainable Landscapes Impact Programme (DSL-IP) of GEF7.

The primary objective of the AFR100 project is to restore degraded landscapes and enhance the resilience of forest and farm producers through sustainable land management, community empowerment, and climate smart interventions. This aligns with the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100), which aims to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land across Africa by 2030. The objective of the GEF7 DSL-IP project is to develop and implement a cross-sector approach to accelerate restoration of Malawi’s Miombo and Mopane woodlands for sustainable forest and biodiversity management.

To implement, monitor and evaluate these projects, and to support the development of the wider programme of activities in the fields of Natural Resources and Climate Change, FAO Malawi requires the services of a Senior National Project Coordinator (Forest and Land Use).

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Malawi, and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative in Malawi responsible for the programme, and in close collaboration with relevant personnel at the FAO Country Office, sub-regional, Regional and Headquarters Offices, government counterparts, and development partners.

Technical Focus

The Senior National Project Coordinator (SNPC) will be responsible for providing technical leadership and coordination to the two projects as well as any other project as assigned by the FAO Representative Importantly, the SNPC will guide day-to-day coordination and management of all projects under his/her responsibility, ensuring that implementation is in line with the project design and objectives. Further, the incumbent will actively contribute to the formulation of new project ideas, and proposals for resource mobilization.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership, technical direction, and quality assurance for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of all projects under his/her jurisdiction.
• Lead the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and accountability of project budgets, workplans, travel plans, and procurement plans, ensuring compliance with FAO rules and procedures.
• Oversee, coordinate, and drive all project matters to ensure timely, effective, and high-quality implementation of activities and achievement of project results.
• Strengthen, manage, and sustain partnerships with government institutions, resource partners, and service providers, while providing mentorship, technical guidance, and oversight in line with FAO operational rules and regulations.
• Lead engagement and coordination with relevant units and teams to ensure effective follow up, accountability and timely completion of tasks and assignments.
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise field missions and operational activities related to project implementation.
• Provide overall technical leadership, operational oversight, and coordination for the implementation of the AFR100 and GEF7 projects, in close collaboration with project partners and government counterparts at national and district levels. This includes leading the organization and facilitation of partner meetings (monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc), project technical and steering committee meetings, coordinating missions, and regularly briefing and advising FAO’s country Senior Management on project progress, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead the formulation, review, updating, and execution of project workplans, budget plans, travel plans, HR plans, and procurement plans, ensuring alignment with project objectives, implementation schedules, and FAO policies and guidelines.
• Oversee the development, negotiation, implementation, and performance management of sub-contracts with project implementing partners, including Letters of Agreement (LOAs) and Operational Partners Agreements (OPAs), ensuring compliance, accountability, and delivery of agreed results.
• Lead and coordinate the preparation, quality control and submission of periodic project reports, including progress reports, mid-term review reports, final evaluation reports, and project closure and termination reports.
• Provide technical leadership, operational guidance, and troubleshooting support to FAO field offices and project districts, ensuring effective project delivery and promoting synergies with Government programmes and FAO interventions.
• Actively contribute to strategic planning, knowledge sharing, and technical discussions within the natural resources and environment thematic area.
• Identify opportunities, champion innovative approaches, and lead resource mobilization efforts to strengthen FAO's forestry, land restoration, climate change and environmental sustainability portfolio.
• Develop and disseminate knowledge products that capture best practices, support evidence-based policy influence, and increase the visibility of project results and lessons learned.
• Supervise affiliate personnel working under the project.
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in a field of Agriculture, Forestry, Natural Resources Management and any other closely related fields.
• At least ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in agricultural development, natural resource management, watershed management, ecosystem restoration, forestry as well as implementation of donor-funded projects, specifically vertical funds (GEF, GCF and others).
• Working knowledge of English (Level C).
• National of Malawi or resident of 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

• Programme and project management.
• Strategic planning and coordination.
• Irrigation engineering, climate-resilient agriculture and natural resource management.
• Stakeholder engagement and partnership development.
• Monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Operational and financial management.
• Analytical thinking and problem solving.
• Leadership and facilitation skills.

Selection criteria  

• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience in programme coordination and multi-stakeholder engagement.
• Experience working with government institutions, development partners, national organizations and community-based organizations.
• Understanding of FAO project implementation will be an added advantage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION