Programme Support Specialist

Job Description

Organizational Unit: FRUGA – FAO Representation in Uganda

Job Type

: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: Consultant

Grade Level: N/A

Primary Location

: Uganda-Kampala

Duration: 11 Months

Post Number: N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The FAO Representation in Uganda (FAO Uganda) is responsible for developing, promoting, and overseeing strategies for addressing country priorities and implementing programmes and projects related to food, agriculture and rural development priorities. FAO Uganda’s programme of work is guided by its Country Programming Framework (CPF) which forms the basis for strategic cooperation over a four-year period between FAO and the Government of the Republic of Uganda (GoU). The CPF is aligned with FAO’s corporate Strategic Objectives (Better Nutrition, Better Environment, Better Production and Better Life) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-25 in support of the Government of Uganda’s (GoU) third National Development Plan 2021 25 (NDPIII). The CPF centers around three main pillars of support: People and the Enabling Environment, People and the Natural Environment and People and Prosperity. 

In line with the CPF, FAO in Uganda strives to engage family farmers and small-scale producers in crop, livestock, fisheries and forestry production systems that are inclusive, innovative and sustainable (Better Production) as well as to protect the most vulnerable populations and help them achieve food, nutrition and income security through resilient agricultural livelihoods (Better Nutrition, Better Life). Projects aim to achieve resilience to climate related shocks for vulnerable populations while conserving, managing and restoring the natural environment that crop, livestock, fisheries and forestry-based livelihoods are based on and derive from (Better Environment). The CPF emphasizes economic growth, job creation and income diversification from market-oriented and resilient agriculture value chains that are gender-responsive and youth-inclusive. This priority area embraces the spirit of the United Nation’s development agenda to ‘leave no one behind’, including women, youth and refugees.

The Programme Support Specialist will contribute to building on the efforts and achievements of ongoing projects that aim at strengthening Uganda’s economic resilience and supporting sustainable livelihoods, by supporting their implementation, monitoring their progress, communicating their results to GoU and donors, and building on evidence generated through these projects to support in the design of new projects and programmes. Ongoing projects include FAO’s work in food security and livelihoods, climate change and natural resource management, refugee response, policy and enabling environment and South-South Cooperation (SSC).

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR), the incumbent will report directly to the Food Security and Livelihoods Coordinator but will work closely with relevant project managers and programme teams.

Technical Focus 

Support the planning, development, implementation, monitoring, advocacy, communications, and outreach of programmes/projects on resilience, food security and livelihoods.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Support the development, implementation and monitoring of assigned resilience, food security and livelihoods programmes and projects – specifically providing technical or administrative support, identifying problems and issues to be addressed and proposing corrective actions, liaising with relevant parties, identifying and tracking follow-up actions. 
•    Compile information and draft/edit documents in response to scheduled and emerging calls for support, including project/programme proposals, background papers, analysis, concept notes, briefs, presentations, etc.
•    Support the development of collaborative work in integrated programme development across technical teams in FAO Uganda. 
•    Support coordination for the UNHCR-FAO partnership by liaising with relevant teams and partners on refugee response topics, attending coordination meetings, and advancing follow-up actions.
•    Support the office’s participation in coordination fora at the request of the supervisor.
•    Undertake field missions as and when required.
•    Perform any other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    A Masters degree related to Agriculture, Livestock, Economics, Development or Communications studies or comparable relevant experience.
•    At least one year’s professional experience in supporting emergency and or development programmes.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Coordination skills (communication) and ability to technically support on food security and resilience needs across different thematic areas.
•    Extent of experience and knowledge in programme development and fundraising 
•    Extent of experience and understanding of the humanitarian-development nexus and associated challenges in the context of resilience programming.
•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.  
•    Specialization/exposure to issues related to disaster risk management/reduction is an asset.

Selection Criteria

•    Demonstrated experience in livelihoods programming in a humanitarian/sustainable development context and
•    Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization in an FAO country office.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/ 
• For more information, visit the FAO employment website
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

CLICK HERE TO APPLY