National GEF Portfolio Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Mongolia works with the vision \"to be a leading, credible and responsive partner in ensuring food and nutrition security of the population\". The office has been coordinating projects and programmes in research, capacity building, natural resources management, technology transfer, food and agriculture policy, livestock production systems management, emergency and post crisis management, forestry information, statistics, food security and nutrition, emergency response operations, crop production system management, and food quality and safety. 

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Mongolia and the direct supervision the AFAOR and in close liaison with the project implementation unit in close liaison with all the staffs of the FAO Mongolia. 

Technical Focus

The incumbent will work in close collaboration with FAOR office and Project Management Units (PMU) and Operational partners of projects executed through OPIM and perform a broad range of planning and budgeting activities and implementation of relevant policies, procedures and practices.

Tasks and responsibilities

Ongoing projects: 

•    Monitor, and review the status of the project implementation to ensure that all project activities are carried-out according to signed agreement; 
•    Monitor the project budget and financial expenditures and their conformity to the work-plan of assigned projects;
•    Ensure effective operational support to the FAO GEF funded programmes and projects executed in Mongolia; 
•    Ensure consistency with the GEF and FAO’s operational requirements and the country’s rules and regulations;
•    Support performance analysis of FAO/GEF portfolio;
•    Liaise with project counterparts on day-to-day operations and implementations of project activities; 
•    Coordinate the monitoring and review of project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; coordinate the review of inputs, expenditures and time frames; 
•    Identify inconsistencies and delays and, when necessary, propose corrective measures to overcome operational constraints;
•    Accompany field visits to project sites and/or accompany experts in their meetings with donors, government officials and/or other stakeholders; 
•    Coordinate the collection, maintenance, distribution and consolidation of technical and operational data ensuring that all project-related data and documentation is up-to-date in the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS); 
•    Monitor the submission of project reports for inception, six-month project progress and project implementation report, with annexes;
•    Review, with finance units, financial statements/reports from execution partners and take timely action for project cash instalments/transfer for the projects under OPIM (Operational Partner Implementation Modality);
•    Support to organization of mid-term and final evaluations;
•    Prepare and finalize correspondence of operational nature regarding programme / project matters; initiate correspondence to verify data, answer queries, and obtain additional information on transactions and operational matters, as required;
•    Coordinate and follow up on the assurance activity and its report;
•    Facilitate the communication and coordination on assurance activities with OPIM in FAO HQ;
•    Facilitate gender and Environmental and Social Safeguards analysis required at project preparation and implementation phase;

Upcoming project: 

•    Explore the guidance and requirements of GEF 9 to identify the national needs and gaps;
•    Identify national priorities, needs and targets related to Mongolia’s commitments to multi-lateral environment agreements and as might be served via the developing GEF 9 replenishment programme directions;
•    Collect baseline data on ecosystems, forests, land degradation, desertification and food production systems in selected geographic areas;
•    Undertake scoping of current and planned baseline initiatives/investments by Government, international financial institutions, development partners and donor agencies that could serve as co-financing to a project;
•    Prepare project proposals for the GEF 9 funding, 
•    Ensure appropriate recording and administrative processing of requests and inputs for FAO’s assistance received by Government, donors or other organizations;
•    Coordinate the development of GEF 9 project proposal with various operational partners;

Common:

•    Serve as focal point of environment and climate change in FAO Mongolia to facilitate the work with partners;
•    Facilitate the communication and coordination on project management with GEF Operational Focal point (Ministry of Environment and Climate Change);
•    Provide training to Project management officers (PMO) to increase their capacity on GEF project management and implementation;
•    Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Advanced University degree in finance, law, natural resources management, or other fields related to the work of the Organization
•    At least seven years of relevant experience in business, finance and/or environmental project implementation in an area of FAO's activities in the country 
•    Working knowledge of the English and Mongolian languages
•    National of Mongolia

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Ability and knowledge of Microsoft Office computer programs 
•    Ability to work in a team, independently and online
•    Ability to organize meetings, trainings, discussions and assignments
•    Good skills in collecting and integrating information and analysis necessary for project development and implementation
•    Be purposeful, proactive and active

Selection Criteria

•    Experience in writing technical reports in English
•    Demonstrated and keen interest in the work of the FAO and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the charter of the United Nations
•    Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views
•    Experience with policy monitoring and reporting, in the context of development, would be an advantage. 
•    Experience with designing and/or implementing development sector programmes or projects is desirable.
•    Experience is the use of technologies supporting data science solutions relevant to economic and social issues is desirable.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION