Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) Project Assistant

Organizational Setting

In April 2025, the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) for the Sustainable Development of the Brazilian Legal Amazon approved the UNJP/BRA/097/UNJ project \"Environmental Regularization Project through Land Governance and Territorial Planning, as a pillar for Sustainable Development / Land for Women Project\". The intervention was conceived by the Institute of Colonization and Lands of Maranhão (ITERMA) and will have the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the executing agency. 
The \"Land for Women\" project aims to promote land and environmental regularization in settlement areas and rural communities in Maranhão, with a priority focus on women heads of household. Seeking to reduce social inequalities, expand territorial governance and promote sustainable agricultural practices, the intervention will combine land titling actions, training in sustainable practices and entrepreneurship, access to credit and environmental monitoring, with a view to ensuring land tenure security, promoting access to public policies and strengthening economic autonomy.

The project is organized into three project components/deliverables, namely:
•     Formalization of women's lands in rural and traditional communities.
•     Training in bioeconomy practices, sustainable management and female entrepreneurship.
•     Technical capacity of the Governments of Maranhão and Pará for land monitoring and environmental enforcement strengthened.

Reporting Lines

The Project Assistant will work under the overall supervision of the Assistant to the Representative for the FAO Programme Unit in Brazil and under the technical guidance of the MPTF Project Coordinator.

Technical Focus

The Project Assistant will support the implementation of the “Environmental Regularization Project through Land Governance and Territorial Planning, as a Pillar for Sustainable Development / Land for Women Project”, ensuring that activities are executed in accordance with the agreed Project Document (ProDoc), workplans and budget.

Tasks and Responsibilities

•     Support the preparation of progress reports, work plans, financial reports or other documents required for Project accountability.
•     Support the timely implementation of the project activities in accordance with FAO and MPTF rules and procedures,
•     Directly assist the monitoring and updating of the project work, procurement, human resources and travel plans.
•     Liaise with the project coordinator and other team members to support the organization, participate, make records and take necessary follow-up actions, in technical and operational meetings, and other events.
•     As requested by the MPTF Project Coordinator, organize project information and electronic documents in FAO systems, keeping them properly updated.
•     Support the preparation of Terms of Reference (ToR) for the processes of acquisition of goods and materials and contracting services, according to FAO rules and procedures. 
•     Monitor the delivery times of the products of the contracted services (companies and personnel) and verify that equipment and materials meet the required specifications.
•     Prepare travel requests, in accordance with FAO rules and procedures, aiming at the timely execution of project activities.
•     Assist with other project requests, if asked by supervisor.
•     Travel to project sites, if required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING:

Minimum Requirements  

•     Bachelor’s degree in Administration, Accounting, Agrarian Sciences, Social Sciences or other similar areas.  
•     At least three years of experience with the implementation of technical cooperation projects in Brazil related to the following areas: family farming, sustainable rural development, promotion of sustainable value chains, and/or land governance. 
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English and/or Spanish. 
•     Brazilian nationality.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Experience in planning, implementing and monitoring international cooperation projects, preferably with the United Nations System in the country.
•     Working knowledge of the stages of implementation of public policies and legal frameworks on gender, environment and/or rural development.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION