National Project Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Sub-regional Resilience Team for Southern Africa (SFS-REOSA) is an integral part of the FAO's mission to combat hunger and improve nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security across the globe. Established to address the unique challenges faced by southern Africa, the team operates with the primary goal of reducing vulnerability and the risk of food and nutrition insecurity in the region. The organization works closely with regional bodies, governments, and country offices to develop and coordinate emergency and resilience policies, programs, and projects. With a focus on sustainable development, the FAO aims to enhance the productive capacity and livelihoods of vulnerable groups, particularly in the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors. The team is currently emphasizing the mitigation of climate-induced shocks and hazards that threaten food security and the livelihoods of the most vulnerable populations in southern Africa. The FAO is known for its collaborative approach, engaging with various stakeholders to achieve its mission and objectives, and operates in multiple countries across the region, making a significant impact on food security and nutrition.

Job Overview:
The National Project Specialist position is designed to support the resilience program development and implementation within the FAO's framework. This role is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of the FAO's emergency and resilience projects in Southern Africa. The specialist will work under the supervision of the Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and the Resilience Team Leader, contributing to resource mobilization efforts and ensuring that the resilience programs are effectively developed and executed. The position requires a proactive approach to programmatic support, including organizing technical meetings, conducting research, and preparing project briefs that facilitate informed decision-making. The specialist will also play a key role in liaising with various stakeholders, including government institutions, NGOs, and other UN agencies, to foster collaboration and enhance the impact of resilience initiatives. The role demands strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, ensuring that the FAO's objectives are met and that the needs of vulnerable populations are addressed.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Project Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Providing programmatic support to FAO emergency and resilience projects in Southern Africa, ensuring alignment with the organization's goals.
• Organizing technical meetings, conferences, and workshops to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among stakeholders involved in the resilience program.
• Conducting basic research and analysis in assigned project areas, contributing to the preparation of project briefs that support informed decision-making and planning.
• Scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, taking minutes, and ensuring follow-up on action items for the SFS Coordination Unit for Emergencies and Resilience (CUERE).
• Participating in regular meetings organized by other SFS Technical Coordination Units to ensure that the CUERE perspective is integrated into broader discussions.
• Supporting the production of reports on meetings, workshops, and conferences as requested by Technical Officers.
• Conducting research and contributing to the development of concept notes and proposals for resource mobilization for emergency and resilience programming in Southern Africa.
• Maintaining an up-to-date database on FAO resource partners in the region.
• Assisting in the preparation of meetings with donors, implementing partners, and other stakeholders to enhance resource mobilization efforts. 1
• Developing PowerPoint presentations and other materials for interagency technical meetings with UN Agencies and NGOs. 1
• Participating in technical meetings organized by the Food and Nutrition Security Working Group (FNSWG) and the Regional Inter-Agency Standing Committee for Southern Africa (RIASCO). 1
• Performing any other duties as required to support the FAO's mission and objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in disaster management, climate change, food security, nutrition, agricultural economics, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry, and fisheries), or a related field. Additionally, they should have at least 2 years of relevant experience in technical cooperation activities, policy advice, and analysis related to food and nutrition security, agriculture, rural development, fishery, forestry, and monitoring and evaluation of policies and programs. Strong analytical and report-writing skills are essential, along with a working knowledge of English. Candidates must be nationals of South Africa or residents of the country with a valid work permit.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in a relevant field such as disaster management, climate change, food security, nutrition, agricultural economics, or sustainable agriculture. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of food and nutrition security and the various factors that influence agricultural and rural development in the context of southern Africa.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in humanitarian programming, particularly in technical cooperation activities related to food and nutrition security, agriculture, and rural development. Candidates should demonstrate a proven ability to liaise and build partnerships with UN agencies, NGOs, and government institutions, particularly in the context of addressing challenges posed by droughts, floods, and other climate-related events.

Languages:
A strong 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 regions and communities served by the FAO's initiatives.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be full-time and may involve collaboration with various stakeholders at national and international levels. The role is critical for enhancing the FAO's resilience programming in Southern Africa, and candidates should be prepared to engage in a dynamic and challenging work environment. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO standards, and the organization is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.