National Project Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The FAO Representation in Albania (FAOAL) is dedicated to addressing national priorities related to security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, agriculture, and rural development. It operates in close collaboration with the Government of Albania and aligns its efforts with the FAO Country Programming Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. The organization is part of a larger initiative, the GCP/RER/075/PAF 'MAKE-READY', which is a multi-country pandemic preparedness project funded by the Pandemic Fund. This initiative is implemented not only in Albania but also in Kosovo and North Macedonia, with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Bank as the primary implementing entities. The FAO aims to enhance national and regional capacities for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, focusing on the animal health and agrifood sectors. The organization emphasizes early warning systems, disease surveillance, laboratory strengthening, workforce development, and the engagement of vulnerable populations in preparedness efforts.

Job Overview:
The National Project Coordinator will play a crucial role in the day-to-day coordination and technical support for the implementation of the MAKE-READY project in Albania. This position serves as the FAO's focal point on the ground, liaising with national counterparts and beneficiaries. The coordinator will work under the supervision of the FAO Representative in Albania and will closely collaborate with the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), the country Project Manager, and the Project Operational Coordinator based in the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU). The primary focus of this role is to coordinate pandemic preparedness activities in the animal health and agrifood sectors, contributing to the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–31, particularly in the One Health Programme Priority Area. The coordinator will be responsible for ensuring that project activities align with national priorities and effectively address the challenges posed by pandemics.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Project Coordinator will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Liaising and coordinating with relevant national authorities, technical institutes, professional bodies, and other stakeholders across various sectors, including human health, animal health, and the environment.
• Planning, organizing, and implementing national project activities, such as meetings, trainings, and workshops.
• Providing in-country support to international specialists, facilitating planning, data collection, consultations, and communication with national counterparts.
• Supporting the organization and implementation of activities related to surveillance, laboratory systems, and workforce capacity as needed.
• Offering technical input to national processes, including reviewing and updating policies, strategies, legislation, and implementation approaches.
• Strengthening multisectoral coordination mechanisms, particularly the One Health approach.
• Contributing to the development and adaptation of technical guidelines, protocols, and training materials.
• Assisting in monitoring project implementation, including data collection and reporting against established indicators.
• Supporting financial and administrative coordination of project activities at the national level. 1
• Preparing or contributing to technical reports, mission summaries, and other project-related documentation as required. 1
• Performing any other relevant duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (or a university degree combined with additional years of relevant experience) in veterinary medicine, public health, animal health/science, epidemiology, One Health, or a closely related field. Additionally, candidates should have at least five years of relevant professional experience in managing and/or coordinating projects and programs in the fields of animal health and/or public health, including senior-level responsibilities for planning, implementation, monitoring, and stakeholder coordination. A working knowledge (proficient – Level C) of English and Albanian is also required. Candidates must be nationals of Albania or residents in the country with a regular work permit.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in veterinary medicine, public health, animal health/science, epidemiology, One Health, or a closely related field. Alternatively, a university degree combined with additional years of relevant experience may be considered sufficient. It is essential that candidates have their higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in project management and coordination, specifically in the fields of animal health and/or public health. This experience should include senior-level responsibilities for planning, implementation, monitoring, and coordination with various stakeholders. Familiarity with the UN system and experience working with UN agencies, particularly FAO, is highly desirable. Candidates should also demonstrate extensive experience in managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects, preferably including donor-funded initiatives of significant scale.

Languages:
Proficiency in both English and Albanian is mandatory for this position, with a working knowledge at a proficient level (Level C). This bilingual capability is essential for effective communication and coordination with national counterparts and stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates should be aware that the appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. The position may involve working in a multidisciplinary, multi-country team and requires the ability to coordinate multiple activities and stakeholders simultaneously. The FAO emphasizes the importance of results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement as core competencies.