National Technical Coordinator

Organizational Setting

FAO is a partner agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), to address the world’s most challenging environmental issues related to biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, chemicals, and international waters. GEF provides grants to countries to meet these challenges whilst contributing to key development goals, such as food security.
In this context, FAO India is currently implementing the project titled “Promotion of Sustainable Food Systems in India through Transforming Rice-Wheat Systems in Punjab, Haryana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh” Project under the GEF -7 cycle. This five-year project focuses on four states (Punjab, Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Odisha). The project will: 1) result in major global environmental benefits in terms of reduced land degradation, biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions; 2) provide the country with win-win benefits in terms of improvements in the environmental sustainability of food systems and the income and resilience of farmers, and; 3) generate additional benefits for other food system stakeholders such as improved access to safe and healthy food and to employment opportunities.

Reporting Lines

Under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative in India (FAOR), technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer, FAO, and in regular consultation with the GEF Division, the National Technical Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating technical and service inputs of National Project Management Unit (NPMU) Core Team of National Experts and Short-Term Experts.

Technical Focus

Coordinating technical and service inputs of National Project Management Unit (NPMU) Core Team of National Experts and Short-Term Experts.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Lead the project to effectively address various issues within the different parts of India’s agriculture or food value chain to effectively implement necessary sustainable solutions that have been detailed in the project document.
• Support development of action plans and policy briefs for the growth of sustainable food systems in the country.
• Undertake complex contextual analysis and lead meetings covering the entire food value chain- agriculture, logistics, corporate, etc.
• Lead the necessary engagement with relevant stakeholders in the government and private sector to influence policy making and transformation as per the lessons learnt from the project.
• Mentor and develop a team at NPMU/SPMU for continued progress to bring about transformation in the food systems being targeted at scale.
• Planning and Budgeting
o In-charge of overall management of the NPMU.
o Coordinate the preparation and implementation of the Annual Work Plans and Budget (AWP/B) of the NPMU and provide guidance to the SPMUs for the preparation of the state level AWP/B.
o Liaise with State and Central Departments for mobilising co-finance resources and ensuring effective convergence of project activities with the identified co-financing schemes.
• Project Implementation
o Ensure strong coordination/ learning and sharing among the project states.
o Report to the NPSC, and the Joint Secretary, Crops division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
o Ensure time bound implementation of project activities.
o Ensure strong technical quality assurance of project’s reports outputs and outcomes based on global, national and state-level best practices.
o Coordinate with the FAO Country Office, FAO Lead Technical Officer (LTO), other National Experts.
• Monitoring, Review and Studies
o Report to the NPSC, and the Joint Secretary, Crops division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
o Adhere to all reporting requirements of the MoAFW, GEF, and FAO.
o Implement project developed monitoring and evaluation system to monitor project outputs and outcomes.
o Mobilize technical expertise as and when required.
o Coordinate preparation of the Project Implementation Report, midterm and final evaluation reports.
o Coordinate policy analysis at national-level and support preparation of food system roadmaps for the project states.
• Miscellaneous
o Represent the project in all meetings and forums as required.
o Coordinate with the FAO Country Office, FAO Lead Technical Officer (LTO), other National Experts.
• Any other duties assigned by the project implementing agency.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s level degree or PhD degree in Food systems, Environment Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Agriculture Sciences, Agribusiness, or equivalent.
• At least 10 years working experience in agricultural and environmental management or related fields with recognized technical expertise.
• Working knowledge (level C) of spoken and written English.
• National of India.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience of working with Government agencies on development project.
• Extensive experience in the management of complex projects at national/regional levels.
• Strong technical knowledge and management skills including the ability to provide strategic guidance, technical oversight, mentor staff, build strong teams, develop work plans, and manage budgets and project expenditures.
• Good multi-cultural and interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners at all levels (Ministries, donors, private sector, NGOs and local community-based organizations).
• Experience working with international and donor organizations (World Bank, IFAD, Asian Development Bank, etc.) on implementation of participatory projects.
• Proven written, analytical, computing, presentation and reporting skills.
• Understanding of GEF functioning and procedures will be an asset.
• Working proficiency in Hindi is desirable.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION