Senior Technical Specialist (STS) at Food and Agriculture Organization Of the United Nations

Reporting Lines

• The STS will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Nigeria and under the day-to-day joint technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer ESF/HQ and the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), and in direct collaboration with the global ASTA team at ESF /HQ.

Technical Focus

• In Nigeria, Lagos State, ASTA will focus on the development of the coconut value chain under the Unilateral Trust Fund project UTF/NIR/078 - “Agri-food System Transformation Accelerator (ASTA)-Upgrading of the Coconut Value Chain in Lagos State.
• The project aims at transforming the coconut value chain by improved technologies that allows for the sustainable production and marketing of high-quality products to substituted imports and increased exports, bringing about increase in incomes, employment, and value-addition along the value chain.

Tasks And Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the technical implementation of all project activities in close collaboration with Government counterparts and FAO technical and financial partners and assures these are in line with the systems-based approach underpinning the ASTA program.
• Oversee capacity development activities related to project activities (in very close collaboration with the Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA) to strengthen Government autonomy in Value Chain Development.
• Lead and manage the entire team of national consultants and staff (with direct reporting lines within FAO and UNIDO) as well as seconded government (LASCODA) officers to ensure effective coordination and collaboration towards achieving project goals.
• Prepare detailed work plans for the project in collaboration with project staff and stakeholders and make implementation arrangements for the field activities and trainings.
• In coordination with the project team, review, and update regularly the project’s annual implementation plans and budgets.
• Manage outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops and seminars; and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.
• Draft Terms of Reference (ToRs) for international & national consultants and follow up on their recruitments and assignments in a timely manner.
• Monitor the work of short-term consultants and review their reports.
• Provide advice to develop policies and strategies as well as national protocols and guidelines related to project work.
• Direct substantive support to consultative meetings and conferences, to include the proposition of agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Supervise preparation of various written outputs and oversee knowledge management and dissemination of the project outputs.
• Communicate regularly and strengthen the relationships with FAO with external technical and financial partners.
• Ensure smooth project implementation through coordination of regular Project Steering Committee meetings.
• Supervise the development and execution of the M&E system applied in the project.
• Ensure technical quality assurance and quality control of the technical outputs of the project.
• Ensure that a facilitation approach enabling the emergence of sustainable systems is utilized throughout.
• Prepare and submit regular periodic and other reports according to the reporting and communication plans.
• Perform any other related tasks as and when requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• An advanced University degree (Master’s level) in agribusiness, agricultural economics, or food systems/industries with focus a on value chain development, or in other related disciplines, is required
• At least 10 years of experience in agricultural development, and implementation of value chain development projects (including agribusiness, market system, processing, and investment/finance aspects) with recognized technical expertise.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other official FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian)

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience working on the coconut value chain is highly desirable. Experience in facilitation projects with a systems-building focus is highly desirable.
• Strong management skills including ability to provide strategic guidance, technical oversight, build strong teams, mentor staff, develop workplans, and manage budgets and project expenditures.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English;
• Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills;
• Readiness to carry out visits to project sites and duty travel as required;
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in emergency situations with tight deadlines;
• Excellent team-building and cross-cultural skills;
• Good computer skills and proficiency in English language is required.
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately.
• Communication skills to maintain good working relationships with people from different nationality and cultural background.