Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been advocating and promoting an integrated approach to land and seascape restoration. FAO assists governments with the planning, implementation and monitoring of restoration projects while promoting sustainable development of nature-based or green and blue value chains.
Under the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, FAO developed in collaboration with UNEP and UNDESA, a Small Island Developing States Flagship (SIDS Restoration Project) which is supported by the Multi Partner Trust Fund of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration focusing on promoting a holistic ridge to reef and seascapes management approach in Comoros, Saint Lucia and Vanuatu, as well as global SIDS-to-SIDS peer learning. Subsequently FAO is recruiting a national project coordinator to be hosted by Vanuatu govt and work across relevant ministries and departments to support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the project interventions in Vanuatu.

Reporting Lines

The National Project Coordinator reports directly to the FAO sub-Regional Coordinator and in close collaboration with the Technical Advisor in Vanuatu and the senior Fishery Resources Officer and Forestry officer in HQ and both the Director of Department of Environment and the Director of the Fisheries Department in Vanuatu, the national project coordinator will carry out the tasks and responsibilities described below.

Technical Focus 

Implementation of national activities of the SIDS Flagship project in Vanuatu under the global SIDS Flagship project co-led by UNEP and FAO with support from the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (UNJP/GLO/1060/UNJ-03).

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Lead, under the overall strategic direction set by the global project steering committee, the national planning and coordination and facilitation of implementation of the national SIDS Flagship activities in Vanuatu and prepare annual national work plans and budgets in line with the global project document;
•    Lead in organizing national and local consultations with project stakeholders and beneficiaries. Organize and facilitate trainings, workshops, exchange visits, working group meetings;
•    Ensure collection of other data necessary to monitor progress of the SIDS Restoration Project in Vanuatu;
•    Prepare and oversee the development of the Terms of Reference for project consultants, contracts, meetings and travels as and when required;
•    Take lead and ensure that all SIDS Restoration Project activities in Vanuatu are carried out on time and within the budget to achieve the stated outputs in the work plan;
•    Prepare updates, progress and final reports and ensure timely submission to FAO HQ and other collaborators, as needed;
•    Reporting on SIDS Restoration Project funds and related record keeping in Vanuatu as per the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP & B);
•    Ensure coordination with other projects and programmes in order to promote synergies and linkages;
•    Coordinate and supervise SIDS Restoration Project field staff, consultants and partners in Vanuatu;
•    Maintain effective communication with the relevant authorities, institutions, government departments and traditional leaders in Vanuatu;
•    Maintain effective communication with the main project partners, including FAO, UNEP, DESA, and regular report on progress to  the global SIDS Flagship project steering committee;
•    Oversee the collection of lessons learned and best practices and contribute to knowledge sharing with other SIDS;
•    Any other related tasks, as needed.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in fisheries, marine sciences, coastal management/planning, marine and coastal management, conservation and restoration, or a related field
•    A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in marine and coastal management and sustainable development
•    Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of French

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Evidence of project coordination involving different sectors and stakeholders
•    Relevant experience in land and/or seascape approach for sustainable development
•    Extent and experience in promoting sustainable (green or blue) value chain development
•    Demonstrated evidence of skills in facilitating and conducting multi-stakeholder consultations
•    Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams and good interpersonal skills
•    Good computer skills as well as ability to use basic GIS tools
•    Extent and relevance of coordinating knowledge transfer under global context.

Selection Criteria

•    Working knowledge of Bislama