Lead Technical Advisor

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 Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) is responsible for addressing food, agriculture, and rural development priorities in the subregion, providing technical assistance and support to governments and country offices, including Zambia, to develop policies and programs that promote sustainable agriculture and food security. The office collaborates with various stakeholders, including regional economic integration organizations, to implement strategies that reduce hunger and malnutrition while promoting sustainable use of natural resources.

Job Overview:
The Lead Technical Advisor (LTA) will play a crucial role in leading the FACE-NDC project, which aims to support Zambia's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 47 percent by 203

• This position requires a strategic leader who can coordinate a large consortium of partners, including government ministries, academic institutions, and international organizations, to ensure effective implementation of the project. The LTA will be responsible for overseeing the planning, organization, monitoring, and delivery of the project across nine interdependent Work Packages. This includes ensuring that all activities align with the project document, Zambia's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), and the requirements set by the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The LTA will also be tasked with maintaining strong collaboration with various stakeholders, including government departments, donors, and civil society, to achieve the project's objectives and promote sustainable development in Zambia.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Lead Technical Advisor will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Leading the overall implementation of the FACE-NDC project, providing strategic direction, technical advice, and quality assurance to the Project Management Unit (PMU) and consortium partners.
• Establishing and maintaining an effective consortium coordination framework, including governance calendars, clear roles and responsibilities, and regular coordination meetings.
• Coordinating planning and delivery across the nine Work Packages, ensuring interdependencies are managed and the project-wide Annual Work Plan and Budget are formulated and updated.
• Overseeing the application of core methodological disciplines across all Work Packages, including structured diagnostics, gender-responsive delivery, and integration of behavioral science.
• Managing the project-wide monitoring, evaluation, and learning system, ensuring timely reporting and preparation for evaluations.
• Preparing high-quality progress and financial reports for donors and responding to queries.
• Facilitating governance body meetings and tracking decisions and follow-ups.
• Supporting operational processes for project implementation, including agreements with partners.
• Collaborating with government departments and other stakeholders to enhance project visibility and communication. 1
• Identifying and mitigating implementation risks and promoting knowledge management and learning across the project.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in agriculture, forestry, natural resources management, environmental or climate sciences, education, development studies, or a closely related field. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in managing and coordinating complex, multi-partner development or climate programs is required, along with field-level leadership responsibilities. A working knowledge of English at Level C is mandatory, and familiarity with climate-finance-funded projects and donor reporting processes is highly desirable.

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 relevant fields such as agriculture, forestry, natural resources management, environmental or climate sciences, education, or development studies. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to qualify for the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in managing and coordinating complex, multi-partner development or climate programs. Candidates should have demonstrated experience leading or coordinating multi-agency consortia or joint programs, particularly in the context of climate change and sustainable development. Experience working in Southern Africa, especially in Zambia, is considered an asset.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of German is considered an asset, which may enhance communication with certain stakeholders and partners involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and involves international recruitment. The Lead Technical Advisor will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative in Zambia and will coordinate closely with various stakeholders, including government ministries and consortium partners. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and runs from March 2023 to February 2030, focusing on building capacity for climate action in Zambia.