Program Co-ordinator, FAO-Rural Institutions and Participation Service (SDAR), Rome

Vacancy Announcement:

GCP/INT/803/UK: Improving Support for Enhancing Livelihoods of the Rural Poor

Terms of References:

Programme Co-ordinator

Level: P-5

Duration: 3 Years - Renewable up to 5 years

Duty Station: FAO Headquarters, Rome, ITALY

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of SDAR (Rural Institutions and Participation Service), the Programme Co-ordinator will perform the following tasks:

1. act as facilitator for the Programme Co-ordination Team of the LSP (Livelihoods Support Programme)

2. ensure the application of rules of decision making and team operations agreed to by the Programme Coordination Team (PCT) and approved by management

3. facilitate the processes of developing teams and enabling group work

4. support the Programme Co-ordination Team in the implementation of the LSP work plan

5. prepare proposals for funding, recruitment, and supplies and regular reports on progress towards meeting milestones, to be forwarded to FAO, DFID, and other partners through the regular channels, as appropriate

6. act as budget holder for funds from DFID and other potential partners and prepare quarterly consolidated budgets and budget reports for the whole programme, for forwarding through the appropriate authorities

7. support PBE (Office of Programme, Budget and Evaluation) and the PCT in the development of a system to monitor programme activities and delivery of outputs, and in overall monitoring and evaluation of LSP

8. be responsible for ensuring the implementation, administration, and overall co-ordination of the cross-cutting sub-programmes on Institutional Learning (1.1) and Training/Capacity Building (2.1), drawing on the sub-programme teams and outsourced services and support as appropriate

9. directly supervise the LSP Administrative Clerk and other staff associated with the LSP Secretariat (Associate Professional Officers, Volunteers, Consultants, etc),

10. in close collaboration with the Senior Community Forestry Officer, Forestry Policy Institutions Branch, assist in the supervision of the Networking/ Conflict Management expert

11. act as convenor of the LSP Forum and other teams and institutional mechanisms to be determined to ensure the smooth flow of information to all LSP participants

12. act as the key interface between Sustainable Livelihoods (SL) programmes and sub-programmes within FAO, as well as with other UN Agencies, SL programmes, donors and other parties interested in the LSP

Skills and Competencies Profile

Facilitating development, change and learning

The Co-ordinator will need to demonstrate an understanding of the theory of change management, and that s/he has been involved in the dynamic processes which enable development and change. This will require good process skills.

The programme will need to learn as it develops, both from its own activities and from those of others with whom it interacts, and this also will require skilful facilitation.

Working with people

The morale of the programme will depend to a large extent on the strong interpersonal skills of the Co-ordinator. S/he will need to exhibit a clear understanding of the theory of team dynamics and team building, a proven track record of working in teams over their working career, and a capacity to facilitate the processes of developing teams and enabling group work.

This will entail demonstrating skills in dealing with conflict, listening, feedback, and helping others to develop.

Management and administrative capacity

The Co-ordinator will have strong management and administrative capabilities. S/he will have proven capacity to develop, manage, direct, co-ordinate and deliver work programmes and build the teams necessary to implement them with minimal supervision and support. This will require an affinity for problem solving and decision making. The work will need an ability to keep the goals of the programme in perspective, and a resilience to maintain this vision, through both good and not-so-good times.

A further skill set in the management and administration of work will be around planning, and a clear understanding of, and working knowledge in the use of the tools that make this possible. S/he will need to be able to demonstrate familiarity with all stages of the project cycle, and of project cycle management.

Communications

The Co-ordinator will need to have excellent networking skills, since the work will entail being the key interface not only between programmes and sub-programmes within FAO, but also with other UN Agencies, SL programmes, donors and other interested parties in the external environment. This will require that s/he exhibit strong skills in negotiating, influencing, and facilitating.

S/he will also need the ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both written and oral presentations, and to articulate views in a clear and easily understood way.

Technical skills

The Co-ordinator will need to have a grounding in the natural or social sciences, and to show a good working knowledge of Sustainable Livelihoods Approaches. In the management of two of the sub-programmes, s/he will need to understand institutions and governance, and to have been involved in institutional capacity building processes.

Essential Qualifications

Education: The Co-ordinator should have an advanced University degree in the natural or social sciences or related discipline, and some background in team facilitation or management.

Experience:

The Co-ordinator must demonstrate familiarity with Sustainable Livelihoods Approaches, have worked for a minimum of 5 years in developing countries, and successfully served for at least 10 years in progressively

responsible positions in at least three of the following areas:

Languages:

As principal reporting requirements will be to a UK donor,written and spoken fluency in English is essential.

Desirable experience/qualifications:

Prior experience with a UN agency would be desirable. Previous training and capacity building experience would be desirable. Fluency in French and/or Spanish is desirable. Please address applications no later than 24 September 2001, to:

Ms. J. Dey-Abbas

Rural Institutions and Participation Service (SDAR)

Tel: 39-06-57056232

E-mail: [email protected]