National Project Manager

VA NO. FAO/KBL/PRJ/SC/06-2020

Functional  Title:

National Project Manager

Type of Contract:

National Project Personnel / Service Contract (NPP/SC)

Grade / Level:

SB-4

Number of Post (s) :

1 (One)

Duration :

12 Months

Extendable / Renewable:

Extendable, Based on Satisfactory Performance and Budget Availability

Probationary Period:

Initial 3 Months

Project / Programme / Unit: 

Strengthening Country Capacity for Engagement with GCF and Direct Access to Climate Finance: (GCF Readiness II) - GCP/AFG/105/GCR Project

Duty Station:

Kabul – Afghanistan, with frequent domestic travel to provinces

Sub – Station:

Nil

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

Organization Settings:

Through its Country Offices, or FAO Representations, FAO assists governments to develop policies, Programmes and projects to address hunger, food security and malnutrition, and provides technical support for the sustainable development of their agricultural, livestock, animal health, and irrigation and forestry sectors as well as emergency preparedness and response. The activities of the FAO Representation include design and implementation of country-tailored field Programmes, liaison with local donor representatives and active public awareness raising and outreach activities related to the mandate of FAO.

FAO assistance in Afghanistan achieves its objectives through capacity development and direct project implementation in four specific areas of FAO’s technical expertise: 

• Better governance through improved capacity for policy planning, land reform, decentralization, and management of common natural resources;
• Fostering expansion of irrigation and field water management; 
• Intensive agriculture for surplus commercialization, value chains development, and job creation;
• Supporting vulnerable farmers for improved food and nutrition security, resilience, and emergency response to natural and man-made disasters and climate change.

This position is established under the GCP/AFG/105/GCR Project in Afghanistan, and the duty station is Kabul, with frequent travels to other project locations in the provinces covered by the respective project.

Project Background:

Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. A high proportion of the population rely on climate-sensitive sectors, particularly agriculture and animal husbandry. Increasingly uncertain and extreme climatic conditions such as droughts, floods and erratic rain fall patterns impact the productivity of these sectors. Climate change therefore poses a direct threat to marginalized, vulnerable communities and sustainable economic development in the country. In this context, Afghanistan will need to build and manage a fruitful partnership with the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoIRA) has been engaged with the GCF to help the country develop and implement durable adaptation and mitigation actions to pursue climate resilient and low emission development pathways. The National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA) – GCF National Designed Authority (NDA) – is implementing an initial Readiness and Preparatory Support project (hereafter referred to as ‘Readiness I’) to strengthen the NDA’s capacity and coordination mechanisms, develop No Objection Procedures (NOP) and an initial GCF country programme.

To further strengthen the NDA’s capacity for strategic engagement with GCF, the NDA has requested FAO to develop this second Readiness proposal (hereafter referred to as ‘Readiness II’) to:

1. Further strengthen NDA capacity, addressing the gaps identified in Readiness I;
2. Increase stakeholder engagement, particularly at sub-national levels and of civil society and private sector;
3. Strengthen capacity for gender considerations in GCF country programming and projects;
4. Further develop the Country Programme;
5. Develop system and capacity of NEPA for MRV of climate finance;
6. Prepare for DAE accreditation; and
7. Develop climate finance strategy including strategy for the private sector to access GCF and for unblocking private investments in climate actions.

The Readiness II implementation will draw on the NDA office and coordination mechanisms established under Readiness I while providing critical technical support a more strategic engagement with the GCF to boost climate finance in Afghanistan.

This project will support NEPA to put in place necessary arrangements to access and effectively implement GCF resources, responding to the needs to strengthen capacities mentioned above.

Purpose of this vacancy announcement:

FAO is looking for qualified national staff to support the work of the FAO – GCF funded project “Further Strengthening Country Capacity for Engagement with GCF and Direct Access to Climate Finance (GCF Readiness II)”. The post is located in NEPA compound, Kabul - Afghanistan. FAO holds the ultimate responsibility for the implementation of the project, the delivery of the planned outputs and the achievement of the expected outcomes. The project will be managed and implemented by FAO.

Key Result:

The project activities are implemented successfully, timely and effectively in conformity with the objectives of the project.

Reporting Lines / Supervision Received/Exercised:

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Afghanistan and technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), and in close collaboration with the relevant staff in FAO Afghanistan and counterpart entities, the National Project Manager  will carry out the following tasks;

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate, manage and administer project tasks in line with the project objectives and FAO guidelines;
• Support the organization of capacity building of NEPA staff for GCF funded projects;
• Network with external centers of expertise on environment (including international agencies, national institutes and NGOs), relevant for the GCF Secretariat;
• Supervise Project staff in their daily activities with respect to their daily deliverables;
• Take the lead in preparing concepts for workshops and project documents by closely involving NEPA and FAO counterparts;
• Identify needs on capacity building programme for NEPA and submit substantive training plans to FAO Management for further consideration counterpart staff;
• Prepare reports including and bi-annual  and terminal reports using standard formats and submit to FAOR;
• Ensure application of quality control measures for all implementation of works at all times; and
• Develop and create a suitable coordination mechanism, rules and procedure for NEPA to mainstream the climate finance issues;
• Contribute to the resource mobilization in the country.

GCF Liaison:

• Serve as a main actor on the ground to support the implementation of GCF-funded projects;
• Facilitate the communication of nominations of entities to the GCF;
• Recommend GCF funding proposals in the context of national climate change strategies and plans, including through consultation processes; and
• Foster communication among National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA), FAO and GCF.

Project Monitoring and Reporting:

• Monitor project progress as agreed in the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP/B), and provide remedial actions such as adjusting activities as necessary, speeding up implementation in case of delays, drafting budget revisions and organizing monitoring missions, if required;
• Elaborate standard project documentation along with the project’s M&E plan such as Project Inception Report, meeting/workshop reports, six-monthly Project Progress Reports including gender/youth assessment, terminal report etc.

Partnership Building and Knowledge Management:

• Maintain regular contact with FAO Country Office and the National Project Director (NPD) of NEPA on project implementation issues of their respective competence;
• Build strategic partnerships and synergies to enhance the impact and sustainability of the project outcomes;
• Represent the Organization at project meetings and events, identify strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and develop and negotiate effective working relationships/ consensus and agreements with national stakeholders.

Other Activities:

• Perform any other related duties as may be his/her directed supervisor.

Expected Outputs:

• Project Inception workshop conducted, and report cleared by Project Task Force (PTF) members;
• Contribute to the implementation of inter-institutional coordination mechanism;
• Contribute to the implementation of NOP;
• Contribute to the implementation of Country Programming process;
• Contribute to the Direct Access Entities (DAEs) development process;
• Contribute to the mobilization of private sector engagement;
• Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP/B) agreed by the Project Steering Committee (PSC);
• Six-monthly Project Progress Reports including gender/youth assessment;
• Final Workshop Reports;
• Terminal Report of project;
• Contribute to evaluation report;
• Overall management and implementation of project.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (TECHNICAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATION)

Education:

• University Degree (preferably MSc Degree) in Environmental or Social Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Climate, Rangeland/Forest Management, Forestry,  Rural Development,  or closely related fields;

Work Experience:

• At least Seven (7) years of relevant experience in project management and/or coordination of environmental projects, or related disciplines with an international NGO, Government of Afghanistan, or UN Organization in a multi-cultural office environment is required.

Technical/Functional Skills:

• Experience in managing environmental project design, results-based management and implementation;
• Excellent interpersonal communication and coordination skills, and a proven ability to work constructively with a variety of stakeholders to achieve common goals;
• Ability to deal with political, technical, and people management challenges, administer budgets and work effectively with all staff and with groups involved in the project;
• Excellent report writing skills;
• Strong familiarity with environment and climate change management issues in Afghanistan, including the political, institutional and socio-economic contexts;
• Strong computer skills with extensive experience in word processing, spreadsheets, and other basic software applications; 
• Excellent knowledge of English and local languages, both spoken and written skills.

Language Skills:

• Excellent knowledge of English and local languages (Pashto and Dari), both spoken and written skills.

COMPETENCIES:

• Core competencies: FAO core competencies include: Understanding FAO’s mandate and its global context; planning, organizing, and delivering quality results; communicating to build understanding and support; working together in teams and partnerships; engaging in continuous learning.
• Operational Effectiveness: Working independently, structuring tasks, establishing priorities and adhering to deadlines. Show a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Contribute ideas and suggestions for process improvement.
• Client Orientation: Focus on results for the client. Attend to inquiries from internal and external clients in an effective, timely and courteous manner. Treat clients with courtesy and respect even when working under pressure. Express a high level of professionalism.
• Interpersonal Communications and Teamwork: Work effectively and efficiently with staff at all levels, listen to others and openly share own ideas. Express sensitivity, cultural empathy and respect for diversity. Productively handle differing views and opinions and strive for achievement of shared goals. Respond positively to feedback.
• Knowledge Exchange and Learning: Share own knowledge and promote a learning culture within the work environment. Actively work towards professional development, including personal learning.  Apply newly acquired skills and support flexibility within the work environment.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINE:

Interested Afghan nationals should complete the FAO Personal History Form (PHF) and submit it along with their application letter and CV to the email address below, clearly mentioning the vacancy number and post title (National Project Manager - FAO/KBL/PRJ/SC/06-2020) in the subject line of the email, otherwise your email will not be considered for further process.

FAOAF-vacancies@fao.org

NOTE: Applicant who failed to attach the FAO Personal History Form (PHF) to their Application will not be considered for further process.

The above required documents can also be submitted in writing (marked “Confidential” and clearly indicating on the sealed envelope the Vacancy Announcement number and position title) to: the Assistant FAO Representative (Administration), FAO Representation, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Jamal Mina, Opposite Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan.

The FAO PH Form can be downloaded using the following internet link:

http://www.acbar.org/applicationform

The last date for receiving applications is 12 April 2020. Please note that applications received after closing date will not be given consideration. Only short listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for test/interview.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce gender diversity
• Qualified females are strongly encouraged to apply
• People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization
• Candidates endorsed in the selection process for this vacancy announcement will be considered for the FAO NSHR Roster for a period of two years. The Roster is used to fill other similar positions at the same or lower grade, and in the same or another duty station inside the country;
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.
• Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Candidates who wish to apply for the positon should indicate their preferred duty station(s) in their application letter (or email).
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview/test.
• Application received after closing date will not be given consideration.
• Please make sure to sign the first page of your PHF while applying for the vacant post.
• Do not forget to write the post title and VA number on subject of your email.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments;
• Email will only be sent to the interviewed candidates.