Project Assistant

Organizational Setting 

 The key mission of the FAO Representation in Somalia, which is led by FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist and support the national government to develop policies, strategies and programme aimed at accelerating the Implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in FAO’s global mandate and Strategic Objectives. More specifically, FAO’s response aims to address national needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, developing agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources and respond to recurrent emergencies. The current portfolio of activities of the FAO Representation in Somalia includes a wide scope of technical support interventions ranging from policy support through livestock and crop production, to natural resource management, Nutrition, value chain, food security analysis and water and land information management. FAO is also implementing several emergency, resilience-building, and development interventions, with the support of its five field offices and close to 400 staff in partnership with the Federal and State line ministries. 

Reporting Lines 

• Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for Somalia, and the direct supervision of the Agriculture Sector Coordinator.

Technical Focus 

• The incumbent will Support the project teams in plant protection activities implementation in various parts of Somalia and provide technical backstopping to FAO field staff and implementing partners on implementation of SCRP and other agriculture sector projects as well as providing technical backup to different projects under agriculture sector.

Tasks and responsibilities 

• Compile the field data from the technical staff as it relates to the inputs stock levels, equipment servicing requirements.
• Support Project Manager in management of project data by maintaining a library for core project documentation.
• Liaise closely with the field technical staff on all matters related to plant protection and ensure a timely exchange of relevant information with the project manager.
• Preparation of draft LoAs and LoUs with partners for project implementation.
• Support the Plant Protection Project Manager in the processing of LoA/LoUs for the projects with implementing partners.
• Provide operational support to procurement actions related to plant protection projects.
• Provide operational support in organizing and coordinating field visits to by donors, FAO management and press
• Support the Project Manager in coordinating the project administration activities to ensure smooth management.
• Support the project manager in preparing interim and terminal reports and any other reporting requirement.
• Conduct verification of expenditure and activities of service providers in the project.
• Work closely with key program support functions, including Programme sectors, Compliance, M&E, Logistics and Procurement units to ensure smooth implementation of Project activities.
• Guide the field projects team to ensure maximum compliance with FAO Standard Operation Procedure.
• Initiate and follow-up on procurement actions with the relevant units within FAO.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING 

Minimum Requirements  

• University degree in agriculture, development studies, social sciences or project cycle management or similar qualification.
• At least three years of professional experience in project operations/implementation.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Somali.
• National of Somalia.

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2402526