Programme Support Assistant — Livelihoods

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is a specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The FAO opened the Rohingya Refugee Crisis Response Program in October 2017, focusing on supporting both Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh, particularly in Cox’s Bazar, where it has taken on a significant role in the Inter-Sectoral Coordination Group (ISCG).

Job Overview:
The Programme Support Assistant — Livelihoods will play a crucial role in the FAO's efforts to support food security and livelihoods in the Rohingya camps and surrounding host communities. This position is designed for a front-line worker who will focus on aquaculture interventions, providing technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives for beneficiaries involved in pond aquaculture and dry fish production. The incumbent will monitor aquaculture models, produce analytical reports, and ensure the effective implementation of activities related to food security and livelihoods. The role requires close collaboration with various stakeholders, including government partners, UN agencies, and civil society, to ensure that programming aligns with the Government of Bangladesh's development priorities and contributes to the overall humanitarian response.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Support Assistant will be responsible for a wide range of tasks, including providing field-level technical support for fisheries and aquaculture interventions, conducting regular monitoring visits to assess fish growth and pond management, identifying and reporting any issues related to fish health and water quality, and assisting in the development of training materials. The incumbent will also facilitate community consultations, training sessions, and capacity-building activities, document field visit findings, support beneficiary verification and distribution of inputs, and participate in coordination meetings with stakeholders. Additionally, the role involves ensuring the dissemination of feedback mechanisms among beneficiaries and addressing any complaints or feedback in a timely manner.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in Fisheries or a related discipline, along with a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in program or project implementation related to fisheries sector development. A working knowledge of English is required, and candidates must be nationals of Bangladesh. The role also requires strong communication skills, the ability to work independently, and a proven track record of successful teamwork and facilitation skills. Familiarity with local dialects and proficiency in MS Office applications are also essential.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a university degree in a relevant field, specifically in Fisheries. Candidates should have obtained their qualifications from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). This ensures that the educational background aligns with the standards set by international educational organizations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in supporting program or project implementation, particularly in the fisheries sector. Candidates should have experience in quality assurance, monitoring, and reporting, demonstrating their ability to contribute effectively to the organization's goals and objectives.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. While not explicitly stated, familiarity with local languages or dialects would be advantageous, as it would facilitate communication with beneficiaries and stakeholders in the field.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements. The appointment is also subject to security clearances. For additional employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.