Project Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The main aim of the FAO Country Offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

The Project Coordinator will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Sudan, and in close coordination with the Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER), FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE), and other relevant FAO technical divisions.

Technical Focus

Lead, coordinate, and oversee the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of project activities of the assigned project/s ensuring technical quality, operational coherence, and achievement of intended results.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Provide leadership and mentoring to project affiliate personnel and implementing partners, promoting teamwork, accountability, and continuous learning
•     Ensure coordinated, high-quality and results-oriented implementation of all project components, in alignment with FAO’s Strategic Framework, donor requirements, and national priorities.
•     Act as focal point for all coordination with other implementing partners of the assigned projects as well as relevant other project stakeholders and field partners.
•     Compile and submit timely, project reports according to FAO and the donor’s requirements. 
•     Ensure compliance with contractual obligations (including commitments made within the following annexes: the Environment and Social Safeguards (ESS, Complaints and feedback mechanism (CFM) and integrated pest management (IPM). 
•     Lead the preparation and periodic updating of annual work plans and procurement plans in consultation with technical teams and relevant FAO units.
•     Supervise and coordinate national affiliate personnel specialists across value chain, agribusiness, land tenure, land-use planning, and mechanization components, ensuring complementarity and sequencing of interventions.
•     Coordinate the tasks of the international affiliate personnel specialist working under the assigned project or projects
•     Provide oversight and quality assurance for technical deliverables, analytical reports, and capacity-development activities led by thematic specialists.
•     Ensure strong coordination and collaboration with government institutions, youth organizations, financial service providers, UN partners, and the private sector to foster synergies and sustainability.
•     Oversee mainstreaming of gender equality, youth inclusion, environmental sustainability, and conflict-sensitive approaches across all activities.
•     Manage the preparation and clearance of Letters of Agreement (LoAs), procurement packages, and contracts with implementing partners and service providers.
•     Coordinate monitoring, evaluation, and reporting in collaboration with MEAL and operations teams, ensuring timely and accurate submission of progress and financial reports.
•     Coordinate with the cash and voucher specialists for all related activities in the assigned projects.
•     Facilitate documentation of lessons learned, success stories, and best practices for visibility, communication, and knowledge-sharing purposes.
•     Represent FAO in coordination fora and thematic working groups on youth employment, agribusiness, and food systems resilience.
•     Ensure close coordination between international and national specialists to maintain technical alignment and avoid overlap of roles and responsibilities.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     Advanced university degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Rural Development, elations or a related field.
•     At least 10 years of relevant international experience in managing multi-stakeholder agricultural development, resilience and livelihoods projects, with a focus on youth employment, entrepreneurship, or private-sector engagement.
•     Working knowledge (Level C) of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills  

•     Demonstrated capacity in managing large programme, multi-component programmes with complex operational structures.
•     Proven expertise in agribusiness, value-chain development, and financial inclusion for smallholders and youth.
•     Strong strategic planning, budgeting, and analytical skills.
•     Excellent leadership, negotiation, and communication abilities, with demonstrated experience in stakeholder coordination.
•     Capacity to work effectively under pressure and in fragile contexts while maintaining quality and accountability.
•     Prior experience with FAO, UN agencies, or international NGOs is an advantage.
•     Prior experience in fragile or post-crisis contexts and familiarity with FAO operational modalities is an advantage.

Selection Criteria

•     Proven experience in technical project management, coordination of multidisciplinary teams, and collaboration with government and humanitarian and development partners.
•     Experience working in humanitarian, post-crisis, or transition contexts is highly desirable. 
•     Knowledge of Arabic or another FAO official language is an asset.