Technical Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The project “Contributing to Food Security for refugees and host communities living in Lebanon”, UNJP/LEB/041/EC, is a Joint Programme implemented in Lebanon by two United Nations (UN) Rome-based Agencies (RBA) agencies: the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). 
In light of the continuing impacts of the ongoing and multifaceted crises on Lebanese population as well as refugees, the Project seeks to increase the local sustainable production of key agricultural products contributing to food security and import substitution and contributing therefore to the improvement of the living conditions and resilience of host communities and refugees living in Lebanon. The Project is aligned with the objectives set by the European Commission’s “Food and Resilience Facility” (FRF), specifically, the short-term objective of responding to commodity shortage emergencies, and medium to long term objective of helping sustain local agricultural systems and support the development of less input-intensive and more climate relevant agricultural practices. 
The project has three Outputs:
Output 1: Productive capacity of 5 000 farmers and 2 000 farmworkers is improved through material or cash-based assistance and technical training.
Output 2: Increased availability of arable land and agricultural assets.
Output 3: Institutional capacity building for seed production and other agricultural inputs is strengthened.
The Technical Coordinator is expected to streamline the project implementation through both agencies while ensuring a constant coordination with the government represented by the Ministry of Agriculture. The position require coordination and time management skills. The coordination needs to ensure the timely implementation of the project and provide regular updates to the donor.
 
 
Reporting Lines

The Technical Coordinator will perform his/her tasks under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and WFP Country Director in Lebanon, the technical supervision of Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and working under the direct supervision of the Programme Managers of FAO and WFP.

Technical Focus 

The Technical Coordinator is responsible for coordinating all activities related to the formulation of fully developed proposal and ensure cohesion between the project components.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Coordinate the project through work planning, budget management, monitoring and evaluation and follow-up with project partners to ensure all activities are implemented in accordance to the project logframe, in consultation with relevant technical focal points in FAO and WFP;
•    Prepare in consultation with FAO and WFP programme managers a detailed project work plan and follow up on the timely implementation of all activities;
•    Coordinate the implementation of pre-set activities with FAO, WFP and the Ministry of Agriculture.
•    Coordinate the smooth implementation of the project and ensure consistency among the various components of the project and related activities, as foreseen in the project document and log-frame;
•    Participate in the project inception and coordination workshops.
•    Prepare regular progress reports as needed and closely liaise with FAO and WFP relevant technical focal points, in line with FAO guidelines and donor requirements maintaining quality control;
•    Support the procurement of all goods, works and services for the project, and in the preparation of contracts and agreements for the outputs in the proposal that will be implemented in partnership with FAO contractors and service providers and WFP’s Cooperating Partners while ensuring compliance with both agencies corporate policies, criteria and procedures. 
•    Liaise with FAO’s contractors and service providers to monitor the implementation of project outputs across different regions in Lebanon 
•    Liaise with WFP’s Cooperating Partners and accordingly conduct field visits to monitor the implementation of project outputs across different regions in Lebanon 
•    Support the recruitment of project consultants including preparation of Terms of Reference and oversee the work of consultants and project staff in collaboration with the FAO and WFP programme managers – ensuring quality control and relevance of consultancy;
•    Initiate regular dialogue with MOA to ensure alignment, address challenges and provide support;
•    Ensure regular communication with all project stakeholders and in particular with the FAO, WFP, EUD, MoA, LARI and Green Plan; 
•    Organize the Project Steering Committee and Technical Committee and other related project meetings;
•    Support in monitoring and evaluation, including reporting; 
•    Attend regular meetings with keys stakeholders as needed (EU, MOA, FAO, WFP, Green Plan) 
•    Participate in large and complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.;
•    Contribute to project reviews and evaluations, and contribute in the drafting of the project progress reports summarizing achievements, challenges and lessons learnt;
•    Perform any other related duties as may be required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements   
 
•    Advanced University degree in Agriculture Sciences, Agricultural Economics, Food Security, or other related fields; or University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses; 
•    Minimum of seven years of relevant experience in management / coordination position in the agriculture and food security sectors;
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and Arabic;
•    National of Lebanon.

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;
•    Extent and relevance of experience in agriculture development projects and similar projects;
•    Extent and relevance of experience with UN agencies, namely FAO and WFP;
•    Extent and relevance of experience in collaborating with international and national experts and ability to work in a team and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds, 
•    Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts including host population, donors, NGOs and other UN agencies; 
•    Extent and relevance of experience working with the Government agencies at the national level and regional level;
•    Extent and relevance of experience in working with a diverse group of stakeholders and develop consensus and joint working;
•    Good analytical skills; 
•    Resourcefulness; initiative, maturity of judgement, tact, and strong negotiating skills;
•    Extent and relevance of experience in facilitation and communication including high-level coordination and chairing of meetings; 
•    Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under his/her supervision;
•    Understanding of the international humanitarian response architecture, including coordination mechanisms, humanitarian reform and action, and funding mechanisms;
•    Experience in Social Sciences / Protection, and/or Environmental Sciences is an asset;
•    Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION