Programme Specialist

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. In Egypt, FAO's country programme is aligned with national strategies and priorities, focusing on sustainable agricultural development, climate change adaptation, and food security, among other areas.

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist will play a crucial role in overseeing the implementation of assigned projects related to agriculture and water management within FAO Egypt. This position requires a strong alignment with FAO's Strategic Framework and national priorities, ensuring that projects meet donor requirements and contribute effectively to the broader goals of FAO Egypt. The Specialist will provide technical and operational support to enhance the efficiency and impact of the projects, ensuring that they are executed in a timely and high-quality manner. The role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including government agencies, donors, and implementing partners, to ensure that project goals are met and that innovative practices are integrated into project activities. The Programme Specialist will also be responsible for developing training materials, conducting training sessions, and facilitating multi-stakeholder platforms to discuss relevant issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Specialist include leading the planning, implementation, and monitoring of assigned projects in agriculture and water management. The Specialist will ensure the timely delivery of project outputs, coordinate with stakeholders, provide strategic technical guidance, oversee the integration of sustainability principles, and develop training programs. Additionally, the Specialist will manage project budgets, develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks, prepare reports, and represent FAO in various meetings and conferences. The role also involves identifying risks to project implementation, ensuring adherence to environmental and social safeguards, and promoting gender equality and nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices. The Programme Specialist will also supervise affiliate personnel and perform other tasks as requested by the FAO Representative.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Engineering, Water Resources Management, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Natural Resources Management, or a related field. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in project formulation, implementation, and management, particularly in water management or related projects, is required. Candidates should also demonstrate a working knowledge of English and Arabic at level C, as well as core competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, and building effective relationships.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in a relevant field. For consultants with a bachelor's degree, two additional years of relevant professional experience are necessary to meet the qualifications for this role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in project formulation, implementation, and management, preferably within the context of water management, water governance, irrigation, or natural resources-related projects. Candidates should have experience working in multiple locations or areas of work, and a strong background in planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of projects is essential.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge of English and Arabic at level C. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory for this position.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Cairo, Egypt, and candidates will be assessed against the minimum requirements outlined in the job description. The role may involve full-time engagement, and the successful candidate will be expected to work closely with various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and donor representatives. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO's policies and standards.