Project Implementation Specialist

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Position Title: Project Implementation Specialist
Location: Kyiv
Country: Ukraine
Deadline Date:

Job Details

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. With a mission to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all, FAO ensures that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The organization has 195 members, including 194 countries and the European Union, and operates in over 130 countries worldwide. FAO Ukraine focuses on increasing the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises affecting agriculture, food, and nutrition, particularly in areas such as rural economic development, sustainable agriculture practices, climate change adaptation, and humanitarian assistance. FAO Ukraine collaborates closely with various stakeholders, including the government, civil society organizations, and other UN agencies, to address challenges in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and environmental sectors. The ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine has significantly disrupted agriculture, prompting FAO to support farmers through technical assistance and the implementation of Conservation Agriculture practices to restore soil health and improve agricultural resilience.

Job Overview:
The Project Implementation Specialist will play a crucial role in the implementation of day-to-day project activities within the FAO Mine Action and Land Rehabilitation Programme in Ukraine. This position involves providing effective programmatic, operational, and administrative support to the Programme Coordinator. The Specialist will be responsible for coordinating field activities, ensuring interaction with FAO field offices, implementing partners, and government counterparts. The role requires managing procurement, contracts, monitoring budget expenditures, and addressing operational challenges to ensure the efficiency and timely delivery of the programme. The Specialist will also support the design and implementation of demonstration plots, train farmers, deliver online technical assistance, and engage in monitoring and evaluation activities. This position is vital for enhancing food security and supporting war-affected farming communities in Ukraine.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will carry out the following tasks:

• Support the Programme Coordinator in planning, implementing, and monitoring project activities at both national and regional levels.
• Participate in project formulation and assist in preparing contribution agreements and addendums for new projects, coordinating with the Planning and Operations units.
• Coordinate assigned projects within the programme, ensuring compliance with FAO procedures and programmatic recommendations in work plans, procurement plans, and monitoring plans.
• Draft reports, project briefs, and provide overall support to the Programme Coordinator and FAO Ukraine Senior Management.
• Facilitate the drafting of Letters of Agreement (LoA), procurement requests, and other necessary documentation for project implementation.
• Monitor the implementation of LoAs with Service Providers, ensuring timely submission of reports and closure within project life.
• Liaise with Operations and Procurement Units for operational support to the Mine Action programme.
• Prepare recruitment plans and draft terms of reference for the Mine Action Program, ensuring recruitment plans are on track.
• Collaborate with the Procurement Unit to ensure progress in procuring necessary goods and services. 1
• Maintain close track of budget expenditures for Mine Action projects, alerting discrepancies and proposing corrective actions. 1
• Track project progress in relation to established objectives and timelines in collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit. 1
• Contribute data for project monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, assisting in the development of monitoring tools and systems. 1
• Support the Communication Coordinator to ensure visibility of FAO’s activities and compliance with donor requirements. 1
• Perform other activities as required.

Required Qualifications:
Minimum requirements include a university degree in public/business administration, political economy, political or social sciences, international development, agriculture, economics, or a related field. Candidates should have at least 3 years of relevant experience in coordinating or supporting program implementation within large and complex projects, particularly in mine action, food security, and nutrition operations in conflict or post-conflict contexts. A working knowledge of English at Level C is also required. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate results focus, teamwork, communication skills, and the ability to build effective relationships and share knowledge.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree in a relevant field such as public/business administration, political economy, political or social sciences, international development, agriculture, or economics. An advanced university degree is desirable and may enhance the candidate's profile.

Experience:
The position requires at least 3 years of relevant experience in program management, particularly in coordinating or supporting implementation within large and complex projects. Experience in mine action, food security, and nutrition operations, especially in conflict or post-conflict contexts, is essential. Previous experience with the UN system or related work for donor organizations, consulting companies, or NGOs is considered a strong advantage.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English (Level C) is mandatory. Limited knowledge (Level B) of additional languages such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Kyiv, Ukraine, and involves full-time engagement. The role is critical in supporting the FAO Mine Action and Land Rehabilitation Programme, which aims to revitalize farming communities affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war. Candidates will be assessed against the outlined minimum requirements and selection criteria, which include technical and functional skills relevant to program/project management, operations, and the ability to analyze complex data for policy advice.