National 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. Founded in 1945, FAO has grown to include 195 members, comprising 194 countries and the European Union. The organization operates in over 130 countries worldwide, focusing on achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mission is to eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, and enhance the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and support to countries, facilitating partnerships and resources to deliver technical assistance and develop capacities while adhering to international standards of accountability. The organization emphasizes the importance of effective operations and adequate human and financial resources to achieve its programmatic priorities, which are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

Job Overview:
The National Project Coordinator will play a crucial role in the implementation of two significant projects aimed at transforming agrifood systems in Nepal. The first project, 'Strengthening Agrifood Systems in Nepal,' is funded by the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund and focuses on addressing challenges such as low agricultural productivity, climate vulnerability, and food insecurity. The second project, 'Innovative Financial Solutions for Local Food Systems Transformation in Nepal,' is a UN Joint Programme that aims to develop innovative financing solutions for local food systems. The National Project Coordinator will be responsible for providing overall technical, programmatic, and operational leadership for these projects, ensuring effective planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting. The role requires a strong focus on stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and results-based management, with an emphasis on promoting gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. The coordinator will work closely with various stakeholders, including government institutions, UN agencies, financial institutions, and community organizations, to maximize synergies and enhance the sustainability and impact of project investments.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Project Coordinator will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: preparing and regularly updating detailed implementation plans, annual work plans, and budgets; coordinating implementation across target municipalities; maintaining a joint implementation and synergy matrix for project activities; overseeing day-to-day coordination of the Joint SDG Fund project; serving as the principal operational focal point for municipal technical experts and FAO technical officers; translating project documents into clear assignments and tracking progress; guiding inception and baseline assessments; coordinating capacity development initiatives; ensuring transparent beneficiary identification; overseeing technical specifications and project-supported inputs; establishing a results-monitoring system; leading the preparation of various reports; supporting coordination mechanisms; monitoring contracts and procurement services; identifying and coordinating mitigation measures for risks; and ensuring responsible data management and community engagement.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree (Bachelor's or higher) in fields such as Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Development Studies, Economics, Natural Resource Management, Public Policy, or Project Management. Additionally, a minimum of five years of progressive professional experience in the implementation, coordination, and management of agriculture, agrifood systems, rural development, climate resilience, or related development programs is required. A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory, and candidates must be nationals of Nepal or residents with a valid work permit. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and project monitoring tools is essential, along with proven experience working with various stakeholders, including government agencies, development partners, and community organizations.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree (Bachelor's or higher) in relevant fields such as Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Development Studies, Economics, Natural Resource Management, Public Policy, or Project Management. Candidates must ensure that their qualifications are recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of progressive professional experience in areas related to agriculture, agrifood systems, rural development, climate resilience, or natural resource management. Experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, as well as coordination of donor-funded projects, is essential. Familiarity with FAO or UN operational procedures is considered an asset, along with experience in stakeholder engagement and capacity development activities.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English (level C) is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Chinese is considered an advantage, particularly for communication and collaboration with Chinese counterparts involved in the CIDCA-supported project.

Additional Notes:
The position does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. 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 role may involve field travel and other related duties as required by FAO. The organization emphasizes the importance of maintaining complete and auditable records of activities and ensuring responsible data management when working with communities.