Project Specialist (SC11) – Mogadishu, Somalia

Organizational Setting

The key mission of the FAO Representation in Somalia, which is led by FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist and support the national government to develop policies, strategies and programme aimed at accelerating the Implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the area of FAO’s global mandate and Strategic Objectives. More specifically, FAO’s response aims to address national needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, developing agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources and respond to recurrent emergencies. The current portfolio of activities of the FAO Representation in Somalia includes a wide scope of technical support interventions ranging from policy support through livestock and crop production, to natural resource management, Nutrition, value chain, food security analysis and water and land information management. FAO is also implementing several emergency, resilience-building, and development interventions, with the support of its five field offices and close to 400 staff in partnership with the Federal and State line ministries.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Somalia, the general supervision of Head of Programme, and the direct supervision of Agriculture Sector Coordinator.

Technical Focus

The Project Specialist will provide operational support to field activities of the project(s).

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide operational support to field activities of the project(s).
•    Ensure the proper implementation of the monitoring framework, carry out data collection and surveys, backstop monitoring and evaluation of field activities according to the agreed work plan.
•    In consultation with the Project Manager and government stakeholders, identify and validate the community-based groups and civil society organizations for implementation of activities.
•    Support the Project Manager on crucial project management aspects, including coordination support related to activities with government and other stakeholders.
•    Assist in developing and implementing project work plans to include all aspects of project activities.
•    Manage relevant Letters of Agreement/Letters of Understanding (LoAs/LoUs), trainings and capacity building events related to the project and support in the identification of the participants for the trainings and workshops.
•    Provide support to the Project/deputy Manager to select service providers/implementing partners and draft agreements and ensure project inputs are procured and distributed following FAO procurement procedures.
•    Support the project manager in the timely preparation and release of all required project/programme briefs and comprehensive reports for submission to donors and/or for corporate use.
•    Review and consolidate partner and field monitoring reports, analyse monitoring data and report on progress to the project manager.
•    Provide support to the Project Manager to organize internal and external meetings/workshops with various stakeholders in relation to the project.
•    Contribute to the timely preparation of project reports (monthly, quarterly & annual) and respond to the queries related to project activities.
•    Prepare project related technical briefs, reports, case studies and best practices to showcase programme results in close collaboration with FAO Somalia teams.
•    Maintain programmatic and financial documentation for FAO corporate use and relevant parties.
•    Provide support to the Project Manager to establish a coherent system of information covering each activity of the project, including the project Key Performance Indicators (KPI).
•    Identify synergies/gaps related to similar initiatives by the development partners and government stakeholders, in coordination with the technical consultants.
•    Work closely with key program support functions, including programme sectors, compliance, M&E, logistics and procurement units to ensure smooth implementation of project activities.
•    Provide training and guidance to project staff to ensure maximum compliance with FAO Standard Operation Procedure.
•    Perform any other duties, as directed by the Project Manager.