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.

FAO emergency and resilience building interventions contribute to the implementation of the Country Programming Framework (CFP) through two of the four priority areas: (2) Sustainable management of the natural resource base and Increasing Resilience and Uptake of Climate Smart Agriculture; (3) Enhance food security and nutrition status;

FAO’s work in emergencies and resilience building focuses on reducing people’s vulnerability to hazards before, during and after disasters through risk assessment, risk reduction, preparedness, coordination, emergency response and rehabilitation. The Emergency and Resilience Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day management of FAO’s emergency and resilience response unit.

Reporting Lines

The Emergency and Resilience Coordinator will work in the FAO Representation in Zambia under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) and direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR Programmes. The consultant will work in close collaboration with the Sub-regional and Regional Support Teams.

Technical Focus

Support to implementation of FAO’s resilience agenda at country level.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Plan and lead components of multidisciplinary teams, coordinate, and/or participate in Organization-wide committees, and provide technical expertise on national emergency and resilience committees and working groups;
• Develop and update the supporting approach, methodology, tools, systems/databases, policies and/or standards to support programme delivery and specific objectives, services and outputs of Division teams focusing on (i) humanitarian policy, interagency collaboration and mobilization of emergency resources; (ii) response, food chain crisis, special operations, classified level emergency preparedness, early warning and support to transition; (iii) and/or programming to integrate resilience into FAO planning at all levels;
• Develop position papers, proposals and/or policy briefs to support humanitarian response and policy development, coordination and liaison with government, international partners such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), WFP, International Organization for Migration, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other humanitarian groups involved in emergency and recovery activities;
• Undertake FAO emergency needs assessment activities and missions, conduct food and nutrition security assessments and analysis, coordinate in-country early warning alerts and further coordination with all partners;
• Provide technical support to ongoing operational emergency and recovery projects and programmes and related capacity development in Zambia supported with Standard Operating Procedures, surge mechanisms and relevant Level capable response systems;
• Promote best practices and provide technical support/services to Decentralized Offices, in collaboration with Regional Offices, to facilitate emergency programming, resource mobilization and integration of emergency and development work in countries, as well as to provide capacity during critical phases of emergencies;
• Monitor, promote and coordinate resource mobilization activities including corporate appeals, donor macro grants, Central Emergency Revolving Fund/Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation (CERF/SFERA) submissions, annual appeals and midyear reviews, as well as collaborate with countries and Regional Offices to facilitate resource mobilization through project and programme formulation;
• Maintain and update FAO emergency information systems, crisis communications, information and advocacy, as well as providing up-to-date information for reporting, audits, evaluations and inputs to FAO Governing Body documents;
• Perform other related duties as required.
• Manage the FAO emergency response in Zambia, including activities relating to: project/programme management, inter-agency coordination, logistics, assessment/analysis, partnerships, missions/presence and others as required.
• Promote resource mobilization efforts, preparing adapted programme and documents and liaising with the donor community in Zambia. Facilitate the development and delivery of effective communication, advocacy and partnership strategies.
• Oversee and support the analysis and assessment, the planning and formulation of emergency, resilience and development projects and programme, drawing on evidence-based analysis and the multidisciplinary team of technical experts, in close cooperation with the Sub regional Office for Southern Africa, Centres and Divisions at headquarters and the Regional Office for Africa.
• Facilitate the effective collection and dissemination of information in the framework of the knowledge management activities of the Organization.
• Manage the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) activities for the unit.
• Coordinate the preparation of briefs and comprehensive reports on FAO’s programme and priorities in the country.
• Ensure timely dissemination of information to the Government, donor community, United Nations (UN) Agencies and NGOs.
• Liaise with government officials, UN Agencies, humanitarian and development partners and beneficiaries on country programme implementation and delivery at the appropriate level to ensure coordination and identify partnership opportunities.
• Perform other duties, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agriculture, natural resource management, Climate Change and Adaptation, social sciences or other fields related to the FAO mandate.
• At least five years of relevant experience in emergency and resilience project activities including coordionation, project operations and/or support involving agronomy and agribusiness activities.
• 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

• 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