occupied Palestinian territory: Project Manager (GCP/GAZ/014/MUL) - NO: IRC4632

Organizational Setting

FAO’s Coordination Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS) Programme assists the Palestinian Government to formulate and implement 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.

The incumbent will manage a recently launched a project entitled “Reform and Development of Markets, Value Chains and Producers’ Organisations” (GCP/GAZ/014/MUL), which seeks to enable the Palestinian agribusiness to generate better income, trade and welfare following an integrated value chain development approach towards more market-oriented, competitive and profitable agribusiness. The project will intervene in all stages of the value chain to achieve the following four outputs: (i) improved production and productivity (pre-production and production); (ii) improved quality and value addition (post-harvest and transformation); (iii) improved competitiveness and market access (distribution and marketing), and; (iv) improved service delivery and institutional capacities (enabling environment).

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO WBGS Head of Office, the Project Manager reports directly to the Head of Programme, and works in close collaboration with the Operations Officer, Field Operations Coordinator, Economist and other relevant personnel.

Technical Focus

Timely and quality implementation of project activities ensuring effective delivery of project outputs.

Tasks and responsibilities

· Establish close collaboration and working arrangements with national/international staff, experts and support personnel and provide day to day supervision and guidance as needed;

· Prepare, coordinate and manage the project workplan, including information on planned deployment of short term expertise and procurement actions, and monitor its implementation consistent with FAO rules and procedures, donor requirements and political/security constraints;

· Contribute to the development of the procedure to administer investment support in response to calls for applications, including the scoring and ranking of applications received, and implement accordingly;

· Overview beneficiary selection processes;

· Ensure timely delivery of services by consultants, suppliers, contractors and implementing partners (NGOs and UN organizations);

· Develop and maintain effective relationships with project partners and stakeholders;

· Organize, and prepare background information for, regular project meetings including those of the Joint Technical Committee and Project Steering Committee;

· Prepare project progress reports in line with donor requirements and FAO rules and procedures in a timely manner;

· Ensure visibility of project activities in close collaboration with the Reporting and Communications Consultant and donors;

· Perform other related duties as required.

Expected Outputs:

· An updated detailed project workplan is elaborated and continuously updated.

· Partnership Agreements with the implementing partners are prepared and their implementation is managed and monitored as per the work plan.

· All project activities (including, but not limited to procurement, recruitment and administering investment support) are implemented in a timely manner in line with the updated work plan.

· Project reports with all relevant annexes are prepared and submitted in line with donor requirements and FAO rules and procedures in a timely manner.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

· Advanced University degree in Development Studies, Economics, Business Administration, International Relations, Agricultural Sciences or other relevant field.

· At least five years of relevant work experience in project management, preferably in the field of agriculture and agribusiness development.

· Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish.

· Well versed with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, email applications and ability to conduct Internet-based research.

· Ability to travel in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

FAO Core Competencies

· Results Focus

· Teamwork

· Communication

· Building Effective Relationships

· Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Selection Criteria

· Extent and relevance of experience in project management including work planning, budgeting, implementation and reporting.

· Extent of experience in coordinating and liaising with private sector, national authorities, UN, donors and non-governmental national and international organizations.

· Demonstrated experience working in complex environments. Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.

· Knowledge of international development architecture including the UN System, NGOs etc. is desirable and understanding of FAO policies and programmes is an asset.

· Demonstrated ability to work in a team, and interpersonal skills.

· Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and prioritize tasks.

To apply, visit the iRecruitment website at http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ and complete your online profile. Only applications received through iRecruitment will be considered.

Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.

Vacancies will be removed from iRecruitment at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date. If you need help, or have queries, please contact: iRecruitment@fao.org