JOB DESCRIPTION

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 Subregional Office for West Africa is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed-upon strategies and projects for transforming food, agriculture and rural development. It also develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations such as ECOWAS, CILSS, UEMOA and Mano River Union. It assists the FAO Country Representations (FAORs) in the subregion with addressing subregional food security, agriculture, and rural development issues at country level. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Africa.
As a pillar of FAO’s strategic framework 2022-31, which focuses on the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood, better environment is a key strategic pillar with the objective to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems and combat climate change (reduce, reuse, recycle, residual management) through more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems. The Programme Priority Area focuses on Climate and agri-food systems; Bioeconomy; Biodiversity and ecosystems.
Livestock is an essential component of the West African rural economy, with a large contribution to agricultural GDP ranging from 5% in coastal countries to 44% in Sahelian countries, according to ECOWAS. Pastoralism is a source of income for 80 million people and plays a fundamental role in the resilience of populations, including in terms of jobs and food security. ECOWAS is developing a transformative project to enhance livestock systems’ resilience to climate change in the region. Climate change poses significant risks to livestock production, affecting food security, livelihoods, and ecosystems.

FAO as an accredited agency for GCF has received a request from ECOWAS to support the development of a full-fledged project proposal to be submit to the GCF. This project aims to develop innovative adaptation strategies and mitigation measures through data-driven analysis of climate impacts. The consultant shall be hired under the project TCP/SFW/3904.

Reporting Lines

The Expert on Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation will be under the overall supervision of the Sub Regional Coordinator SFW, the direct supervision of the Senior Policy Officer at SFW, the technical supervisor of the SFW Animal Health and Production officer and Project Development Specialist (GCF) in consultation with OCB Teams.

Technical Focus

The Expert on Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation will support a team of experts for the design and preparation of a GCF multi-country full fledge project proposal. The Expert will lead stakeholder engagement and facilitation efforts, ensuring active participation, consensus-building, and alignment of the project’s objectives with the needs of all stakeholders. The expert will work closely with the experts recruited under this project to ensure smooth coordination between the outputs.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Expert on Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation for designing of a multi-country full-fledge project proposal will carry out the following tasks:
•    Support the identification and oversee project formulation at their different stages and in close collaboration with the FAO country offices, FAO GCF unit and relevant regional and/or sub-regional technical officers.
•    Identify key stakeholders in the ECOWAS region related to livestock production, including farmers, herders, government officials, NGOs, and community leaders.
•    Develop a stakeholder engagement strategy that outlines approaches for involving stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
•    Build partnerships with local organizations and community groups to enhance collaboration and support for the GCF project.
•    Prepare detailed reports summarizing stakeholder feedback, engagement activities, and recommendations for improving participation.
•    Assist FAO Team to provide training and capacity-building sessions for stakeholders on effective engagement practices.
•    Assess stakeholders’ interests, capacities, and potential contributions to the project.
•    Assist FAO Team to organize and facilitate consultations, workshops, and focus group discussions to gather stakeholder input on project design.
•    Ensure balanced participation of marginalized groups, including women, youth, and pastoralist communities.
•    Document stakeholder inputs and align them with project objectives.
•    Participate to dialog between FAO SFW Tam and stakeholders and the project development team.
•    Develop communication materials tailored to different stakeholder groups, ensuring clarity and accessibility.
•    Help FAO TEAM to empower stakeholders to actively participate in decision-making processes.
•    Document stakeholder perspectives and ensure their alignment with project objectives.
•    Work closely with the FAO GCF Unit, the FAO technical units, the project development specialist and experts to ensure appropriate quality control, completeness, and timeliness of project proposals.
•    Contribute to organizing meeting and workshops to validate the proposal.
•    Performs other related duties as required.

FAO Standards and guidelines:

Liaison with the OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes.

All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology: http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).

Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field.
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in stakeholder engagement, facilitation, or participatory project design, preferably in the livestock or agricultural sector.
•    Full proficiency/Working knowledge of French

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 in ECOWAS countries
•    Extent and relevance of experience in GCF or other Climate Funds (GEF…)
•    Extent and relevance of experience in working with diverse stakeholder groups, including governments, private sectors, and local communities.
•    Familiarity with participatory approaches to project design and implementation.
•    Strong knowledge of ECOWAS regional dynamics and/or the GCF framework.
•    Strong interpersonal and communication skills for engaging with diverse stakeholders.

Selection Criteria

•    Requirement of such position (diploma & language skills)
•    Professional experience and similar products delivered.
•    Mission-related studies particularly in Africa/focus in West Africa.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements