National Project Coordinator - Green Jobs

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission 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. With 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to support the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and support to countries, ensuring effective operations aligned with international standards of accountability, and work to deliver on programmatic priorities as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs).

Job Overview:
The National Project Coordinator (NPC) will play a crucial role in the implementation of the Green Jobs for Youth in Resilient Agrifood Systems project in Liberia. This position is vital for ensuring the effective delivery of project outputs and outcomes that aim to improve youth employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, skills development, and sustainable livelihoods within resilient and climate-smart agrifood systems. The NPC will provide overall technical, managerial, and operational leadership, ensuring that project activities align with the workplan, budget, and FAO quality standards. The role requires close collaboration with various stakeholders, including government institutions, training providers, youth organizations, and private sector actors, to facilitate the successful execution of project initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Project Coordinator will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including: coordinating the planning, implementation, and monitoring of project activities in Liberia; ensuring alignment with the project workplan, budget, and FAO quality standards; engaging with stakeholders and communicating with key counterparts, particularly relevant ministries and implementing partners; overseeing the identification, selection, and engagement of project beneficiaries, partners, and service providers; coordinating the implementation of training programs, particularly focusing on Soft Skills training; managing financial support schemes for rural youth, including the Wage Employment Programme (WEP) and the Green Entrepreneurship Programme (GEP); ensuring effective coordination with government institutions and other stakeholders; preparing high-quality technical and operational reports, workplans, and progress updates; promoting youth inclusion and gender equality across activities; and performing other related duties as required for successful project implementation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in international development, public administration, business administration, environmental studies, economics, agricultural or development studies, social sciences, or related fields. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in areas such as green jobs, agricultural policy, agricultural business models, rural development, decent rural employment, youth employment issues, or international development is required. Candidates should have an excellent command of written and oral English, and knowledge of another FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, or Russian) is considered an asset. Nationality of Liberia is also a requirement for this position.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in fields related to international development, public administration, business administration, environmental studies, economics, agricultural or development studies, social sciences, or other relevant disciplines. It is essential that candidates have obtained their higher educational qualifications from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in areas such as green jobs, agricultural policy, agricultural business models, rural development, decent rural employment, and youth employment issues, or in international development contexts. This experience should demonstrate a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the agrifood systems and the ability to implement effective programs that support youth and sustainable livelihoods.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is an excellent command of written and oral English. Additionally, having a working knowledge of another FAO language, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, or Russian, is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
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 appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. The position is based in Monrovia, Liberia, and is part of a regional project also implemented in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, funded by the Korean International Agency (KOICA).