Organizational Setting

FAO Ukraine is implementing a 48-month duration, EU-funded project titled “Inclusive, competitive and sustainable value chain development in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry” (GCP/UKR/012/EC) (The Project) since 1 February 2021. Due to the outbreak of war in Ukraine in February of 2022, the project went through a reprogramming process coordinated with and ultimately accepted by the donor to ensure that emergency priorities of the government are supported, while continuity is ensured for longer term, development-oriented programming priorities of both EU, FAO and the Ukrainian government where feasible. Reflecting this, the resulting amended project design included the cancellation of the fisheries and forestry-related components; the establishment of two new components to respond to emergency requests of the government and implemented through the FAO emergency response programme (FAO Rapid Response Plan); and activities originally planned under “Component 3: Value Chain Development” and its associated “Outcome 3: Select food value chains are strengthened through improved access to finance, inputs and services to support integration of smallholder farmers into sustainable value chains” slated for continuity, albeit adapted to prevailing war-time circumstances.
This component includes two key instruments, (1) a Matching Grant scheme targeting smallholder farmers and small-scale agri-SMEs with investment support in different value chains; and (2) the provision of technical assistance to grant beneficiaries on pre- and post-investment basis in order to ensure that technical, business advisory, and agronomic advice necessary for successful and sustainable investments are catered for. FAO Ukraine is seeking a National Aquaculture Specialist to support project’s team in aspects of verification of grant applications in Aquaculture VC, support with consultations and trainings for beneficiaries.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO UA Head of Office/Designated Responsible Officer (DRO); the FAO UA Head of Programme the project manager and the direct supervision of National Fisheries Programme Specialist.

Technical Focus

The National Aquaculture Specialist will be responsible for the support, coordination, and provision of effective support in the management of FAO Ukraine aquaculture, to ensure timely and efficient delivery of the portfolio of Ukraine.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Prepare all related materials (technical documents, training content, presentations, etc); and deliver consultations, workshops and trainings as planned through the grant cycles (training programme, review and awarding of applications)
•    Provide technical support to national grant analysts throughout the application review process (screening, evaluation, follow-up,) of the received proposals for investments in Aquaculture VC
•    Provide necessary advice, capacity building and technical support to aquaculture VC actors through telephone-based consultations and regular field visits
•    Conduct field verification visits to the grant program applicants and beneficiaries in Aquaculture VC
•    Provide day-to-day technical consultancy support and guidance to GCP012 projects team as it relates to Aquaculture VC
•    Participate as a member of technical review committee.
•    Carry out other relevant tasks as and when requested by the Supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in Agriculture Science (Aquaculture), Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Social Sciences or related fields.
•    At least five years of relevant professional experience, of which three years’ experience on Aquaculture and Fish Products VCs.
•    Working knowledge of English and Ukrainian.
•    Nationality of Ukraine.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Work experience in NGOs, INGOs, UN or other technical and/or humanitarian assistance organizations.
•    Ability to work under pressure and to carry out several tasks in a timely fashion and under tight deadlines, with minimum supervision
•    Relevant experience and skills in programme and project implementation, project formulation, analysis and planning
•    Good understanding of the purpose and functions of technical programmes, UN’s guidelines, and project / programme management procedures
•    Systematic and efficient approach to work on assignments, good judgment and analytical ability
•    Direct project implementation experience is an asset
•    Knowledge of one of the other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an advantage

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION