National Restoration Finance Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission 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. FAO operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 12,000 employees worldwide, working towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Job Overview:
The National Restoration coordinator" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Finance Coordinator will play a crucial role in the operational implementation of an innovative financial mechanism aimed at improving access to finance for small producers and local communities in Tanzania. This position is part of the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) initiative, which is piloting a financial mechanism to address the financial constraints faced by forest and farm producer organizations (FFPOs), smallholders, and rural micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The coordinator will be responsible for ensuring effective delivery, monitoring, reporting, and knowledge documentation of the pilot project, which is funded under the Flexible Voluntary Contribution (FVC) framework. The role involves coordinating with national financial institutions and supporting blended finance initiatives to enhance financial access for targeted communities, thereby contributing to the broader goals of the AFR100 Programme in Tanzania.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary responsibilities of the National Restoration Finance Coordinator include coordinating the day-to-day implementation of the pilot financial mechanism, ensuring alignment with the approved workplan and budget, and facilitating coordination between FAO, financial institutions, SACCOs, and FFPOs. The coordinator will oversee the operationalization of financial instruments, monitor disbursement processes, track portfolio performance, and identify implementation risks while proposing mitigation measures. Additionally, the coordinator will be responsible for monitoring key indicators related to finance mobilization, preparing periodic technical progress updates, and contributing to the documentation of lessons learned and knowledge products. The role also includes supporting blended finance engagement with national financial institutions and organizing relevant stakeholder events.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in economics, finance, development finance, environmental economics, business administration, or a related field. A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in green, development, rural, or SME finance is required, with a demonstrated relevance to forestry, agroforestry, and producer organizations. Candidates must also be fluent in Swahili and have a working knowledge of English, and must be nationals of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as economics, finance, development finance, environmental economics, or business administration. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of financial mechanisms and their application in rural and agricultural contexts.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in areas such as green finance, development finance, rural finance, or SME finance. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives and a solid understanding of blended finance instruments and approaches. Practical experience in operationalizing financial instruments and monitoring portfolio performance is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in Swahili is mandatory, while a working knowledge of English is also required. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory for this position.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must have their higher educational qualifications recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The appointment will be subject to medical fitness certification, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. This position is likely to be full-time and may involve working closely with various stakeholders in the financial and agricultural sectors.