Project Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established to lead international efforts to defeat hunger. 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, ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active and healthy lives. The FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Kazakhstan works closely with the government to advance national priorities related to food security, agriculture, and rural development. The FAO-Kazakhstan Partnership Programme (FKPP) is a key instrument in this collaboration, focusing on strengthening national capacities and promoting sustainable agricultural development. The project 'Development of a National Soil Organic Carbon MRV System for Sustainable Agriculture and Carbon Market (UTF/KAZ/011/KAZ)' is part of this initiative, directly contributing to national development objectives by establishing a national Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system for Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), modernizing soil laboratories, developing digital SOC monitoring tools, and building institutional and field-level capacities.

Job Overview:
The Project Coordinator will play a crucial role in providing overall technical, operational, and managerial support for the implementation of the national project. This position focuses on modernizing systems and infrastructure, including the development of new SOC monitoring protocols, MRV methodologies, digital tools, and laboratory upgrades. The coordinator will also work on strengthening institutional mechanisms and service delivery, ensuring coordinated implementation among various ministries, laboratory networks, research institutions, and land-use monitoring entities. Additionally, the role involves capacity development through the design and facilitation of national training programs, establishing technical working groups, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of SOC monitoring and data systems. Stakeholder engagement and partnership development are also key aspects of this role, promoting collaboration with national authorities, research institutions, universities, farmers’ organizations, and private-sector MRV providers. The Project Coordinator will support evidence-based investment planning and agrifood innovation, contributing to analytical work and policy dialogue on national carbon farming opportunities, sustainable soil management, and priority investments for digital agriculture, soil monitoring, and climate mitigation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Coordinator will be responsible for providing overall leadership and day-to-day coordination of project implementation according to the approved project document, logical framework, workplan, and budget. Key responsibilities include preparing and updating annual and quarterly workplans, ensuring timely delivery and budget control, establishing and maintaining operational coordination mechanisms among national institutions and partners, organizing Project Steering Committee meetings, and preparing documentation. The coordinator will also develop and review Terms of Reference for affiliate workforce, certify deliverables of consultants and service providers, ensure risk monitoring, and propose corrective measures. Additional tasks include leading the development of SOC MRV methodologies aligned with IPCC guidance, developing field sampling protocols, providing technical guidance on integrating field measurements and laboratory results, overseeing QA/QC procedures, coordinating soil sampling campaigns, supporting laboratory strengthening, planning and overseeing duty travel, and preparing various reports. The coordinator will also facilitate technical consultations and knowledge exchange among stakeholders, monitor activities and expenditures, and ensure compliance with FAO rules and regulations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agronomy, soil science, natural resources management, environmental science, climate policy, development studies, or a related field. Additionally, at least five years of experience in project management related to agriculture, climate change, MRV systems, laboratory upgrading, or sustainable land and soil management is required. A working knowledge of Russian and/or Kazakh is mandatory, along with a working knowledge of English. Project Management Professional certificates are considered an asset, and candidates must be nationals of Kazakhstan.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as agriculture, agronomy, soil science, natural resources management, environmental science, climate policy, or development studies. Candidates must ensure that their higher educational qualifications are obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant experience in project management, particularly in areas such as agriculture, climate change, MRV systems, laboratory upgrading, or sustainable land and soil management. Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder, donor-funded projects is essential, as is familiarity with government institutions, research organizations, and international technical partners.

Languages:
A working knowledge of Russian and/or Kazakh is mandatory for this position, along with a required working knowledge of English. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The 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 the appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. The FAO emphasizes the importance of gender-sensitive participation and inclusion of youth in training programs.