National Project coordinator (Agri-food systems)

Organisational Setting

FAOs Country Office (CO) in Armenia is an accredited Representation with the Government of Armenia and responsible for liaison with the Government of Armenia and other national and international stakeholders related to the mandate of FAO. The CO is also responsible for the planning, implementation and monitoring of the country programme. In this context it draws on the expertise available in both the FAO Regional Office for Europe and FAO Headquarters. The CO also monitors the policy developments in the Armenia related to the agrifood system sector in close collaboration with the other national and international stakeholders including the United Nations Country Team (UNCT).

The National Project Coordinator (Agri-food systems) will be responsible for the effective coordination, planning, and implementation of the Joint Programme (JP) Unlocking Sustainable Finance for Nutrition-Sensitive, Climate-Smart Food Systems Transformation in Armenia. The JP seeks to catalyze systemic transformation of Armenia’s food system through four interlinked pathways:
1.    Climate-resilient seed systems,
2.    Sustainable dairy value chains,
3.    Agri-SME financing mechanisms (including a Dairy Development Impact Bond),
4.    Consumer behavior and awareness for healthy diets.
The National Project Coordinator (Agri-food systems) will ensure coherent delivery of project outputs, effective stakeholder engagement, and alignment with national priorities including Armenia’s National Food Systems Pathway, Food Security Strategy (2023–2026), and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

Reporting Lines

The National Project Coordinator (Agri-food systems) will work under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Armenia and the direct supervision of the FAO Programme Coordinator (Lead PUNO of the JP). The NPC will also coordinate closely with the UNDP and UNEP focal points, the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, and national government counterparts (particularly the Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Environment).

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Project Management & Coordination
•     Lead day-to-day coordination of the JP across FAO, UNDP, UNEP and the Government of Armenia. Manage and coordinate effectively and efficiently the project tasks and project components, specific activities and results delivery to ensure its results are in accordance with the logical framework, Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPs/Bs), Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan, Risk Mitigation Plan. 
•     Lead the planning and facilitate the meetings of the JP Steering Committee, Food Policy Lab, and Innovation Incubator, ensuring that the decisions of key project stakeholders are well documented and communicated to all parties involved in project implementation.
•     Coordinate with the Resident Coordinator’s Office and other partners to ensure coherence with UNSDCF outcomes.
•     Conduct field missions and regular technical briefing to the project stakeholders as well as authorized officers from relevant Ministries on project progress, as appropriate. 
•     Technical Oversight & Implementation
•     Support the design and roll-out of pilots on seed systems, dairy value chains, and consumer awareness campaigns.
•     Oversee the establishment and operationalization of the Food Policy Lab and Innovation Incubator.
•     Ensure integration of gender equality, youth inclusion, and biodiversity-positive approaches across all outputs.
•     Facilitate synergies with ongoing national and donor-funded initiatives to avoid duplication and maximize impact.
•     Coordinate and support the design and implementation of innovative financing mechanisms (e.g., Dairy Development Impact Bond, and other access to finance mechanisms).
•     Liaise with development finance institutions, private sector partners, and donors to mobilize co-financing to the JP
•     Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
•     Ensure timely preparation of progress, financial, and narrative reports in line with Joint SDG Fund requirements.
•     Support data collection for SDG indicators and project-specific KPIs (e.g., hectares of pasture restored, SMEs financed, biodiversity-positive products mainstreamed).
•     Oversee external evaluations and ensure adaptive management of the JP.
•     Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy
•     Contribute to cultivating and maintaining good partner relations, including through contributing timely responses to development partners queries, developing ideas to increase fundraising for Food systems transformation portfolio, contribute to the formulation of donor briefing materials and facilitating donor missions. 
•     Facilitate inclusive stakeholder participation, including farmers, SMEs, CSOs, women’s associations, academia, and local authorities.
•     Support national visibility and advocacy efforts, including showcasing Armenia’s biodiversity-positive food systems at COP17.
•     Lead strategic communication and awareness-raising campaigns to promote sustainable diets and biodiversity-positive products.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    
•     University degree in agriculture, food systems, public health, natural resource management, economics, or related field.
•     At least 7 years of progressive experience in programme management in food systems, agriculture, or environment sectors.
•     Working knowledge (level C)of English and fluency in Armenian required. 
•     National of Armenia.

Technical/Functional Skills
•     Strong understanding of food systems transformation, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity-positive approaches.
•     Experience with innovative financing models (DIBs, blended finance, green budgeting) is a strong asset.
•     Ability to manage complex multi-agency, multi-donor programmes.
•     Strong leadership and facilitation skills in diverse stakeholder settings.
•     Knowledge of Armenia’s agri-food sector, policies, and institutional frameworks is desirable

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

Selection criteria:
•     Demonstrated experience with multi-stakeholder coordination, preferably in UN or international development settings.
•     Strong project management skills, including planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting.
•     Proven ability to engage with government, private sector, CSOs, and international partners.
•     Fluency in other languages would be an asset
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION