National Programme Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) was established in 1996 in Samoa. Its mission is to coordinate the FAO's work across 13 member countries in the Pacific subregion, which include Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and one Associate Member, Tokelau. The office is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing programs and projects that address security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, nutrition, agriculture, and rural development priorities. It also maintains relations with institutions and entities across the subregion. The SAP office operates as a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) located in Bangkok, and it plays a crucial role in enhancing the FAO's presence and effectiveness in the Pacific region.

Job Overview:
The National Programme Specialist will play a pivotal role in operationalizing FAO’s presence in Tuvalu, ensuring effective delivery of programs that align with the country's needs and regional priorities. This position is part of FAO’s Country Office Network transformation and aims to strengthen country-level engagement through enhanced coordination mechanisms, resource pooling, and targeted technical support. The Specialist will contribute to the national agrifood systems transformation in Tuvalu, ensuring that FAO’s initiatives are effectively coordinated and aligned with national and regional frameworks such as the UNSDCF and CPF. The role requires a proactive approach to program coordination, portfolio management, and strategic engagement with various stakeholders, including governments, UN partners, and donors.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the National Programme Specialist include serving as the focal point for program coordination and implementation in Tuvalu, ensuring alignment with national priorities and FAO frameworks. The Specialist will provide technical support to engage with government counterparts, UN agencies, and regional organizations to facilitate effective program delivery. They will also contribute to consultations with national stakeholders to identify priority areas for FAO support, coordinate the implementation of agriculture and food security projects, and ensure adaptive program implementation based on evolving country needs. Additionally, the Specialist will coordinate resource mobilization efforts, participate in the preparation of project proposals for donor funding, liaise with technical units to ensure compliance and operational efficiency, and lead the organization of visibility events such as World Food Day. The role also involves monitoring and reporting on project progress and supporting assessments and evaluations of FAO’s interventions in Tuvalu.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in relevant fields such as Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Rural Development, Food Security/Nutrition, Forestry/Fisheries, Environmental or Natural Resource Management, Business Administration, or project management. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of three years of relevant experience in program/project management, policy analysis related to agriculture and food security, and monitoring and evaluation. A working knowledge of English is also required, and candidates must be nationals of Tuvalu.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in a relevant field recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. This could include degrees in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Rural Development, Food Security/Nutrition, Forestry/Fisheries, Environmental or Natural Resource Management, Business Administration, or project management. The emphasis is on having a solid academic foundation that supports the technical and operational demands of the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least three years of relevant experience in program or project management, policy analysis specifically in agriculture, food security, and rural development, as well as experience in monitoring and evaluation. This experience should ideally include working with governmental bodies, NGOs, or UN agencies, which will provide the necessary context and understanding of the operational environment in which the FAO operates.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the stakeholders involved in the FAO's initiatives in Tuvalu.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be full-time and may involve a contract duration that aligns with the project timelines and funding availability. The role is focused on national engagement, and candidates must be nationals of Tuvalu. Compensation and benefits details are not specified in the job description but are typically aligned with FAO standards and practices.