Social Protection Specialist

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. 
 
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and malnutrition. 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.

Social Protection is a critical pillar for the acceleration of progress in the fight against hunger, food insecurity and rural poverty. FAO is implementing the United Nations Joint Programme on Social Protection Phase III which aims to support the Government of the Republic of Zambia in closing strategic gaps in the provision of social protection while ensuring coherent policies and programmes that are interoperable and integrate critical mainstreaming agendas.

Reporting Lines

The Social Protection Specialist will work under the overall supervision of FAO Representative and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (programmes) and in close collaboration with the relevant staff in FAO Zambia and the counterpart entities, the incumbent will carry out the following tasks.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide technical, operational and programme management support for the United Nations Joint Programme on Social Protection Phase III. The role will support the National Coordinator in implementation, monitoring and reporting. The role will facilitate collaboration among the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Ministry of Agriculture and UN implementing Partners Agencies.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Support and contribute to planning, coordination and monitoring of activities related to the United Nations Joint Programme on Social Protection.
•     Participate in partnership engagements with the Government, bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, civil society, and other UN agencies to support sustained commitment towards extending social protection to rural communities.
•     Support the development of strategic documents through consultations with the key stakeholders in the agriculture and social protection sector. 
•     Contribute to the formulation and preparation of concept notes, work plans and reports. 
•     Liaise with internal counterparts to ensure collaboration, and monitoring of ongoing social protection projects and other projects as needed
•     Participate in implementation, monitoring and review of programme activities ensuring all operational activities are in line with the work plan, the budget and the project document and this will include review of outputs and expenditures while taking corrective action in consultation with the appropriate officer. 
•     Facilitate recording and processing requests for FAO’s support as received from Government, donors or other organizations.
•     Accompany field visits to project sites and/or accompany project managers and/or experts in their meetings with donors and government officials, as requested. 
•     Track budget expenditures for project activities and flag any variances to the appropriate officer. 
•     Perform any other assigned task.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree in development studies, sociology or social work or any field related to the FAO mandate
•     At least 5 years of relevant experience in planning, coordination and administration support, and working with projects in the area of social protection and sustainable livelihoods
•     Working knowledge of English 
•     National of Zambia

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional skills

•     Proven skills in problem solving, relationship management, 
•     Experience with a UN Agency is an added advantage  
•     Work experience in more than one location or area of work 
•     Attention to detail and problem-solving skills 
•     Excellent verbal and written communication skills 
•     Strong organizational and planning skills and commitment to discretion and confidentiality 
•     Familiarity with UN human resource administrative procedures and systems 
•     Ability to work independently and meet deadlines. 
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION