National Grant Operation Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations 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 organization operates through various programs and projects, including the Climate Smart Agriculture Alternatives for Upland Production Systems in Lao PDR project, which focuses on enhancing resilience to climate change impacts in vulnerable communities.

Job Overview:
The National Grant Operation Specialist will play a crucial role in the implementation of the Climate Smart Agriculture Alternatives for Upland Production Systems project in Lao PDR. This position involves overseeing the operational procedures related to beneficiary grants, ensuring that they align with the project's objectives and FAO's standards. The specialist will be responsible for the formulation of the Grant Management Manual and the Small Grant Selection Process, ensuring that all activities are compliant with the Standard Operating Procedures for Beneficiary Grants. The role requires a strong focus on designing, delivering, and institutionalizing grant operations that support community-led climate-resilient investment packages and value-chain investments. The specialist will coordinate with various stakeholders, including government institutions and development partners, to facilitate the smooth implementation of project activities and ensure that financial and narrative reports meet the requirements of both the project and its donors.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Grant Operation Specialist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including leading the formulation of the Grant Management Manual, overseeing the implementation and reporting of small grants, and facilitating the consolidation of partner and grant reports into the project's official reporting system. The specialist will assist in managing grant operations and procurement processes, ensuring transparency and integrity in the selection of beneficiary cash grants. Additionally, the role involves coordinating the CRA Beneficiary Grant Technical Committee to finalize the grants selection process, providing administrative and logistical support for project implementation, and ensuring compliance with FAO and GEF operational standards. The specialist will also be responsible for executing timely actions related to personnel matters and procurement of equipment and materials, as well as performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in public management, agricultural development, rural development, climate change, climate finance, or a related field. A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in facilitation, procurement, grant proposal design and delivery, or technical advisory services in agriculture, climate change, environment, climate finance, or development projects is required. Additionally, candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in facilitating agricultural and environmental project implementation for government institutions and development partners. A working knowledge of English is mandatory, and candidates must be nationals of Lao PDR.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in fields such as public management, agricultural development, rural development, climate change, climate finance, or related disciplines. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of grant management and the specific challenges faced in agricultural and environmental projects.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically a minimum of 7 years in relevant fields such as facilitation, procurement, grant proposal design, and delivery. Candidates should also have at least 5 years of experience in implementing agricultural and environmental projects, particularly in collaboration with government institutions and development partners. This experience is crucial for effectively managing grant operations and ensuring compliance with project requirements.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the stakeholders involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates should note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.