Community Outreach Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is dedicated to achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. Established in 1945, FAO has grown to include 194 member countries, two associate members, and one member organization, the European Union. The organization operates in over 130 countries worldwide, focusing on various aspects of food security, agricultural development, and sustainable resource management. FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, and enhance the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises. In Pakistan, FAO plays a crucial role in supporting the government in developing policies and programs aimed at improving food security and agricultural productivity, particularly in the face of challenges such as natural disasters and economic instability.

Job Overview:
The Community Outreach Coordinator position is integral to the FAO's efforts in Pakistan, particularly in the context of the Revival of Balochistan Water Resources Program (RBWRP). This role involves working closely with various stakeholders, including community outreach facilitators, project teams, and local communities, to ensure effective implementation of outreach activities aimed at enhancing food security and agricultural sustainability. The coordinator will be responsible for developing and maintaining outreach work plans, overseeing mobilization interventions, and providing technical guidance to ensure that community needs are met. The position requires a strong analytical and quantitative capacity to contribute to the project's objectives, which include improving water resource management and supporting agricultural practices in Balochistan. The coordinator will also play a key role in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of outreach activities, ensuring that they align with the overall goals of the FAO and the RBWRP.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Community Outreach Coordinator will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Implementing community outreach activities under the RBWRP, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with project goals.
• Developing and maintaining a consolidated monthly, quarterly, and yearly community outreach work plan to track progress and outcomes.
• Overseeing mobilization interventions by providing technical guidance to Community Outreach Facilitators, Farmer Field School (FFS) facilitators, and NGOs, ensuring effective collaboration with Technical Working Groups (TWG) and local communities.
• Providing technical assistance on community outreach and mobilization to the project team and supervisor, ensuring that all activities are data-driven and responsive to community needs.
• Organizing consultative community meetings to discuss project interventions and gather feedback from stakeholders.
• Conducting Project Rapid Assessment (PRA) exercises at the field level to inform project implementation.
• Forming new Farmer Groups, such as Water User Associations (WUA), FFS, and Community-Based Organizations (CBO), to enhance community engagement and participation.
• Maintaining records of work plans and monitoring the progress of Community Outreach Facilitators, identifying challenges and providing support to ensure effective delivery.
• Supporting NGOs, TWG, farmers, and agri-businesses in applying for and implementing small and large grants to enhance agricultural productivity. 1
• Providing guidance for awareness-raising and knowledge management activities, particularly in collaboration with academic partners for capacity building. 1
• Performing any other tasks assigned by the supervisor to support project objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in a relevant field, such as agriculture, rural development, development studies, or social sciences. Additionally, a minimum of eight years of relevant work experience in similar positions or with livestock-focused projects is required. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of community outreach and mobilization strategies, particularly in the context of agricultural development and food security. Furthermore, candidates must be nationals of Pakistan and possess a working knowledge of both English and Urdu, with proficiency in local languages such as Balochi and Pashtu considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in a relevant field, which may include agriculture, rural development, development studies, or social sciences. Candidates must ensure that their educational qualifications are recognized and accredited by institutions listed in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
Candidates should have at least eight years of relevant work experience in community outreach, agricultural development, or related fields. Experience working on livestock-focused projects and in field positions across multiple locations is highly desirable. The ability to operate effectively in a team and contribute positively to team dynamics is essential.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English and Urdu is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of local languages such as Balochi and Pashtu is considered an asset, enhancing communication and engagement with local communities.

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 position is based in Quetta, Pakistan, and may involve travel to various project sites within the region. The appointment will be subject to security clearances and other administrative requirements as per FAO policies.