Project Coordinator

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Dihlabeng Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

An international organization in South Africa is seeking an experienced individual for project management in climate-smart agriculture initiatives. This role involves developing and coordinating project documents, ensuring timely implementation, and engaging with partners to enhance agricultural productivity. Candidates must possess an advanced degree in Agriculture or Business, along with at least five years of relevant experience. Strong communication skills in English are essential, as well as a commitment to supporting youth and women in agricultural activities.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in project management or agriculture development.
• Working knowledge of English at level C.
• Experience working in value chain development in Caribbean countries.

Responsibilities

• Develop project documents from idea to closure.
• Prepare project progress and financial reports.
• Coordinate capacity building initiatives for women and youth.

Skills

Project management

Agribusiness development

Value chain analysis

Communication skills

Education

Advanced University Degree in Agriculture or Business

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Organizational Setting

The Gender-responsive Climate-smart Agriculture and Food system in the Caribbean is a 4-year project featuring a collaboration between The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean (FAO) and The Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The project will be implemented by FAO in collaboration with the Ministries of Agriculture in eight Caribbean countries. The project aims to promote and encourage the use of climate-smart technologies in viable agricultural value chains in Belize, Grenada, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname. It focuses on addressing youth and gender constraints in value chains and building their capacity so that all value chain actors benefit from increased market access and improved livelihoods.

The activities under the project will prioritize the needs of youth, women and producer organizations, ensure equal access to capacity building and training activities, and develop knowledge products that will enhance learning using participatory methods. Climate smart tools and technologies will also be introduced to improve efficiencies in production, and agro-processing. Market linkages will be promoted through community-based events for farmers and processors connecting buyers both nationally and regionally.

The project’s approach is geared to foster country ownership and to bolster the linkages between farmers, agro-processors and existing public policies and/or interventions at national and regional levels.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of Sub-regional Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and in close collaboration with the FAO technical implementation team, and national project teams, the incumbent will provide technical and operational support for the timely and efficient implementation of project activities in accordance with FAO rules and procedures.

Technical Focus

• Gender-sensitive climate resilient value chain analysis and development of upgrading strategies.
• Agribusiness development and capacity building for producers and processors; strengthening of producer group for improved and efficient participation in value chain activities.
• Climate risk assessments using multi-hazard risk analysis at the community and value chain levels.
• Report on the progress of project deliverables.
• Coordinate project activities with project partners and beneficiaries.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Participate in the development of project documents from project idea to project closure including planning documents and work plans.
• Develop detailed annual work and budget plans based on the approved overall work plan.
• Create schedules for project activities indicated in the annual work plans to ensure all activities are completed on time, ensuring timely implementation of all activities in accordance with the rules of the FAO.
• Prepare project progress and financial reports in accordance with FAO and/or donor procedures and ensuring the accuracy and timely submission of these reports.
• Collect and maintain records on project deliverables.
• Ensure continuous dialogue with project execution partners to oversee the progress of projects and the quality of deliverables.
• Participate in field visits and workshops to monitor and evaluate the progress of project activities.
• Coordinate technical activities in collaboration with project and programme teams.
• Coordinate capacity building initiatives targeting women and youth based on organizational and project targets.
• Coordinate the development of communication and/or knowledge and visibility for project countries.
• Support project data collection, analysis and reporting for monitoring and evaluation of project actions at the national level in alignment with Results-Based Management.
• Ensure that monitoring mechanisms are operational and maintained at the national and community levels allowing for tracking progress according to targets established in the performance measurement framework along with progress reports.
• Organize the Regional, National and/or Technical project steering committee meetings and act as Secretariat.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University Degree in Agriculture, Business administration, or related discipline from an institution recognized on the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO list; Consultants with bachelor’s degree require two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in project management and/ or agriculture development for Caribbean countries.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience working in the agriculture sector in the English-speaking Caribbean.
• Experience working in value chain development in Caribbean countries.
• Experience working with various partners and working with international and national experts to implement project activities.
• Ability to plan and organize own work, results-based focused and meet deadlines.
• Ability to write clear and concise technical documents in English.
• Ability to effectively work with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with Monitoring, evaluation and learning tools and techniques in the Caribbean.
• Familiarity with MS Office tools, especially for project management.
• Limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages would be an asset.