Programme Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission 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. With 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. In Lebanon, FAO has been active since 1977, responding to various crises with a growing project portfolio that primarily targets farmers, fishers, and their organizations to enhance their resilience and capacity to access markets while managing resources sustainably. FAO Lebanon supports national efforts to improve food security and strengthen rural livelihoods through its multi-thematic programme portfolio.

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the Programme Leader in the effective coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of FAO Lebanon’s CPF Outputs 2 and 3 programme portfolio. This position focuses on Natural Resource Management and Resilience & Livelihoods workstreams, ensuring operational coherence among the programme team, operations unit, and administrative team. The Programme Specialist will initially provide hands-on support to project managers and technical staff, enhancing their project management practices throughout the programme cycle, from workplan development to project closure. As the team’s project management capabilities improve, the role will transition towards portfolio-level monitoring and consolidated reporting, ensuring that implementation data supports informed management decisions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Specialist will be responsible for coordinating the FAO Lebanon CPF Outputs 2 and 3 programme portfolio, tracking implementation progress across projects and thematic areas against workplans, budgets, and results frameworks. They will identify implementation bottlenecks, flag risks to the Programme Leader, and assist in developing corrective action plans in consultation with project managers and technical teams. The role includes ensuring alignment of all projects with FAO programme cycle management guidelines and donor requirements, organizing portfolio review meetings, and facilitating internal programme coordination sessions. Additionally, the Programme Specialist will provide direct support to technical staff in managing projects, including preparation and tracking of annual workplans, procurement plans, implementation schedules, and project budgets. They will monitor technical and financial progress at the project level, prepare regular implementation status updates, and support project closure processes. The role also involves serving as the primary internal coordination link between the programme team, operations unit, and administrative team, ensuring effective communication and addressing operational and logistical requirements. Quality assurance and programme cycle management are key responsibilities, including preparing and reviewing Terms of Reference, project reports, and ensuring compliance with FAO standards. The Programme Specialist will also support the preparation of donor progress reports and contribute to data collection and analysis across the CPF Outputs 2 and 3 workstreams, documenting lessons learned and good practices.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Development Studies, or a related field. A minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in programme or project management, coordination, or formulation in the agriculture, food security, resilience, natural resource management, or rural development sector is required. Additionally, candidates must have a working knowledge of English (level C) and be nationals of Lebanon. FAO core competencies include strong analytical and problem-solving skills, organizational skills, ability to meet tight deadlines, prioritization skills, communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural team environment.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s Degree in relevant fields such as Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, or Development Studies. A Master’s degree is considered an asset, and candidates must have their qualifications recognized by an institution accredited in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 6 years of relevant experience in programme or project management, coordination, or formulation within the agriculture, food security, resilience, natural resource management, or rural development sectors. Experience with FAO, UN agencies, or international organizations is highly desirable, as is knowledge of Lebanon’s agriculture, food security, and crisis context.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English (level C) is mandatory for this position. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not specified as requirements.

Additional Notes:
FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and 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 may involve full-time work, and candidates are encouraged to visit the FAO employment website for additional opportunities.