South Sudan: Deputy Head of Field Office

Oct 18, 2020 | Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representatives, is to assistant governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner to ensure zero hunger in the country. FAO provides support in three priority areas: sustainable increase in production and productivity, agriculture-based economic growth, and increased resilience of livelihoods to threats and crisis.

The current portfolio of projects in South Sudan includes activities related to agriculture (crop), livestock, Fisheries, Natural Resource management, food information systems is implemented with humanitarian, transitional and development funding. The incumbent will contribute to the country’s programme and portfolio as foreseen in the project he/she will coordinate and be assigned.

Reporting Lines

The Deputy Head of Field Office will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for South Sudan, the direct supervision of the Head of Field Office.

Technical Focus

  • In the absence of the Head of Field Office, represent FAO in meetings, conferences and seminars to be held in the state;
  • Assist in coordination of technical support of FAOSS to projects being implemented in the state, as determined by need, including monitoring and evaluation efforts;

Tasks and responsibilities

  • Consolidate area based annual work plan for the field office covering all project activities
  • Ensure synergy and complementarity in implementation of the programs/projects for increased impact;
  • Coordinate direct implementation of project activity by the FAO Field Office
  • Provide programmatic support to NGO partners to enhance activity delivery and complies with both FAO’s rules/regulations and the donor standards as defined in the respective project documents;
  • Monitor field activity delivery with reference to the area  based annual work plan and letters of agreement with NGO partners (timeliness, achievement of project objectives and impact);
  • Conduct emergency needs assessments in response to any humanitarian crises in the state;
  • Contribute to the development of concept notes and proposals, in support of resources mobilization efforts;
  • Prepare and update field office program reports and other documentation related to project operations;
  • Identify training needs and capacity building activities and arrange for necessary support;
  • Prepare monthly activity implementation reports;
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Candidates will be assessed against the following:

Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor Degree in Animal Health& Production, Rural development, Agricultural Sciences/economics, Business Administration and Social sciences.
  • Working knowledge of English, limited knowledge of Arabic will be an added advantage
  • South Sudan National.

FAO Core Competencies

  • Results focus
  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Building effective relationships
  • Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

  • Systematic, well-structured and efficient approach to work assignments. Analytical ability, accuracy and consistency. Exercise diligence and care in dealing with records and expenditures;
  • Ability to effectively use standard office software, such as MS Office (Access, Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint);
  • Working knowledge (level C) of English and working knowledge of the local language(s) is required.
  • Good knowledge of the UN system, procedures and operational activities would be an advantage.
  • Ability to operate effectively in a team, contributing positively to team operations and working relationships
  • Understand and adhere to FAO goals and principle and the FAO South Sudan strategy and objectives.
  • Proven experience in emergencies and development initiatives in the Horn of Africa preferably in South Sudan.  
  • Demonstrated field experience in the implementation of Humanitarian and development projects
  • Experience in project formulation, planning, operation, and budget management
  • Demonstrated experience in dealing with senior government officials, development partners and NGOs
  • Experience in community based development and participatory approaches and in particular with grassroots associations and farmers groups

Additional Information

  • FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: Careers@fao.org
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
  • Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications
  • For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/ 

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

How to Apply

  • Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.
  • We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
  • If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org