Field Project Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members - 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide to promote better production, better nutrition and better environment for a better life.

The FAO Coordination Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip Programme implements the Country Programming Framework for Palestine to enhance the wellbeing of Palestinian people by making the agrifood system more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable in alignment with national policies and strategies and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSCDF).

Since 2002, the FAO Coordination Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS) has supported the preparation for, and response to, food and agricultural threats and livelihood emergencies in the WBGS through emergency relief, rehabilitation, and revitalization of productive capacity. FAO interventions aim to promote social and economic stability within the Palestinian community by addressing barriers to youth employment by tapping into the underutilized potentials of the agri-food sector and enabling young people to capture various market-driven opportunities from the transition to the green economy and help protect access and entitlements of Palestinian farming households to land, water, services, and markets. Such interventions are essential to enhance overall food security, reduce dependency on relief assistance amongst vulnerable Palestinians, and contribute to institution building. 

Reporting Lines

The Field Project Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO WBGS Head of Office, the general supervision of the Head of Programme, and the direct supervision of the respective Project Manager.

Technical Focus 

FAO is seeking a highly motivated Field Project Specialist to strengthen its technical and operational capacities in the implementation of its programme.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Field Project Specialist will provide field technical support and contribute to the implementation of activities across different projects; in particular, s/he will perform the following key functions: 

•    Assists and support the outreach and beneficiary mobilization actions including the design and delivery of information sessions in the different locations within the WBGS; 
•    Assists in the preparation, monitoring, and updating of the fieldwork plans for the implementation of projects’ activities; 
•    Supports the process of beneficiary identification and selection including reviewing and evaluating the screening, scoring, and ranking of applications in accordance with the projects’ targeting criteria, procedures, operational manuals, and other relevant documents; 
•    Assists with conducting field verification visits to the eligible applicants, beneficiaries, and partners to ensure proper documentation and record management of the follow-up, verification, monitoring, and certification processes for implementation progress in collaboration with the related FAO staff; 
•    Provides field technical support to the projects’ beneficiaries during project implementation to assist them in identifying business development needs, developing and implementing business investment plans, and efficiently utilizing the projects’ in-kind and capacity development support to achieve the intended results and impacts; 
•    Supports the projects’ field procurement actions by identifying the types and specifications of goods, works and services to be procured by the FAO and/or the targeted beneficiaries, conducting the required market investigations, verifying the cost of investments, supporting the timely and quality delivery of inputs, works, and services, assisting the evaluation of capacity (ex-ante) and quality of work (ex-post) of related suppliers and contractors and other related tasks as required; 
•    Formulates and follows up on the implementation of the investment support agreements with the projects’ beneficiaries based on the identified and approved business development needs and investment plans in agreement and consultation with the beneficiaries and related partners; 
•    Conducts regular and systematic field visits to monitor and verify the implementation and utilization of in-kind and capacity development support for the projects. Verify, certify, and report the achievement of milestones and results using the tools and procedures outlined in the projects’ implementation and operational documents, including the operational manuals; 
•    Aids in coordinating with the field staff of relevant ministries (Ministry of Agriculture in particular) and other institutions to ensure that field activities are consistent with and complementary to other ongoing agricultural projects; 
•    Assists with providing continuous on-demand support and advice to the beneficiaries and partners; 
•    Assists in the preparation of project reports and information material in line with donor requirements and FAO rules and procedures in a timely manner; 
•    Works closely with implementing partner(s)’ field staff to ensure that the projects’ activities are timely and properly coordinated and implemented; 
•    Contributes to feasibility assessments, studies, reviews, etc., as required; 
•    Collects and document good practices, success stories, and lessons learned; 
•    Raises awareness about FAO grievance mechanism and its confidential dedicated channels of communication and commit to, in accordance with FAO Accountability to Affected People, commitments including those related to Prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. 
•    Performs other duties as and when requested. 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in Business administration, Economics, Engineering disciplines, Fishery, Rural Development, Social sciences, Agriculture, biological or environment sciences, or other related fields. 
•    At least three years of experience in implementing projects in the field of rural development, agricultural development, or related fields.  
•    Working knowledge (level C) of Arabic Language and limited knowledge (level B) of English. For PSAs working knowledge (level C) of English language.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice, areas, acts on learning plan, and applies newly acquired skills. 
•    Ability to apply conceptual models in support of formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects, 
•    Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback, 
•    Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills, 
•    Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities. 
•    Effectively communicates relevant project information to superiors, 
•    Delivers engaging, informative, and well-organized presentations, 
•    Demonstrated ability to work in a team, and interpersonal skills. 
•    Field experience in coordinating and liaising with rural communities. 
•    Familiarity with the local agri-food sector, inputs, and products market.