National Project Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized technical agency of the United Nations. The FAO mission is to work toward the eradication of hunger and strive for food security for everyone as stated in the 2030 Agenda. The FAO’s Strategic Framework aspires to transform agri-food systems so that they are more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The ultimate goals of these efforts include better production, better nutrition, better environment, and better lives, while leaving no one behind. 
FAO as a specialized agency of the United Nations, is supporting the Government of Vanuatu with several natural resources management, seascapes management and climate change related programme and projects. FAO Vanuatu’s County Office is closely working with the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Forestry Fisheries & Biosecurity (MALFFB), and Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology & Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management, and their respective Departments to build institutional and technical capacity, resilience of ecosystems and the communities, and ensure sustainable tourism. This has been possible through different funds including the Global Environment Facility (GEF). FAO as Implementing Agency to the GEF is supporting both Ministries in implementing several GEF funded projects in the country. Recently, with the successful completion of GEF 5 replenishment cycle “Integrated Sustainable Land and Coastal Management Project”, other GEF funded projects in Vanuatu sought better coordination and collaboration with the government line agencies for their successful implementation.

The National Project Coordinator will perform task under the said projects:

(i)    FAO is co-executing the GEF funded project entitled “Strengthening capacity in the Energy, Agriculture, Forestry, and other Land-use Sectors for Enhanced Transparency in the Implementation and Monitoring of Vanuatu’s Nationally Determined Contribution” in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change (DoCC), Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology & Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management (MoCCA). This project is often termed as CBIT project and targets to end in December 2026.
(ii)    (ii) The GEF 8 replenishment cycle project “Restoring and protecting Biodiversity, Coastal Landscapes, and Climate Change Resilience through Nature based Solutions, Women and Youth Entrepreneurship in Vanuatu” was approved by GEF CEO on 10 December 2024 with funding of 3.935 m usd GEF grants. This child project under the Blue and Green Islands (BGI)- Integrated Program (IP), will be executed by The Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology, Geo Hazards, Environment, Energy and Disaster Management. The Micro-assessment conducted in May 2022 rated the risk as significant.

Reporting Lines

The National Project Coordinator (NPC) will perform task under the overall supervision of FAO Sub-regional Coordinator (SRC) for the Pacific; guidance of A-FAOR (Programme) Vanuatu; and the technical guidance of the Forestry Officer-SAP. The NPC will closely work with the Regional and Sub-regional offices of FAO, and relevant Ministries, and its Departments at Vanuatu to perform the tasks for the outlined projects.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will play a key role to coordinate, collaborate and communicate the ongoing and hard pipeline projects in Vanuatu with a government entities, stakeholders and beneficiaries for successful implementation.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Coordinate and provide implementation oversight to the national and international affiliate personnel recruited by FAO for the project. 
•     Liaise with the National Project Director (NPD) and other stakeholders/partners to strengthen project implementation (LoA- fund disbursement, and LoA implementation) and streamline coordination with the DoCC to achieve the intended output until the end of the project.
•     Coordinate with departments including DoF, DEPC, and DARD regarding the micro-assessment, its procedure and completion for BGI-IP and iCoast Project.
•     Support the ProDoc signing with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade and FAO SAP. 
•     Facilitate and coordinate to support the OPA with the Executing Entity. 
•     Support the Project Inception Workshop and 1st PSC meeting, Project Management Unit establishment and the recruitment of national and international affiliate personnel.
•     Perform other projects tasks and support depending on the requirement of country office.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     University degree in forestry/Natural Resources Management/Seascape Management, Environment, Climate Change, Ecology or related fields 
•     5 years of relevant experience in planning, project implementation, and management of GEF funded projects/programmes including the planning, implementation and execution  
•     Working knowledge of English 
•     National of Vanuatu

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

•     Working experience with FAO in the Pacific is required
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION