Project Coordinator (2 positions)

Organizational Setting

Eswatini has a significant and immediate need for investment in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The amount of climate finance received and disbursed, to date, covers only a small portion of the actual need. The costs of implementing the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions is conditional on receiving adequate means for implementation, including finance in addition to technology development and transfer and capacity building. The financial needs of the country as highlighted in the revised NDC (2021) ranges from USD 950 million to USD 1.5 billion required for the various national and sectoral strategies and action plans achieve net zero emission pathways. With the current situation of the country relying on multilateral organizations for accessing climate finance for implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation interventions, the NDC targets cannot be met.

The Government of Eswatini through the National Designated Authority (NDA) identified GCF Country Priority investment areas in alignment with the 8 GCF result areas program, which need a robust resource mobilization to be achieved, however the NDA lacks direct channels to access GCF resources for the projects in the country’s priority investment areas as there is no DAEs in the country. To address this gap, the NDA nominated two national institutions as candidate DAEs which are Eswatini Bank (EB) and Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA). However, the nominated DAEs have limited capacity and policy framework to fulfil the GCF fiduciary requirements. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was selected as a delivery partner to facilitate the accreditation process for the nominated DAEs and has accessed a readiness grant to facilitate capacity building for the NDA and the nominated DAEs.

The main objective of this readiness is to strengthen national capacities to access climate finance in Eswatini through supporting two national institutions to be accredited to GCF contribute to national climate action, develop a prefeasibility study that would be used by the two institutions and enhance knowledge and awareness of stakeholders on GCF and climate change.

The readiness project will strengthen institutional capacities for nominated entities; Eswatini Bank (EB) and Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA), support implementation of entities work programmes that are aligned to the GCF country programme and support the establishment of collaborative agreements with national private companies and regional accredited entities for enhanced resources mobilization capacities. The main beneficiaries of this project are Eswatini Environment Authority, Eswatini Bank and Ministry of Tourism and Environment and Ministry of Finance.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, the technical supervision of the FAO Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and other relevant FAO Project Task Force Members and in close collaboration with government focal points.

Technical Focus

To ensure coordination and support mainstreaming of set GCF standards (good practices) liaising with FAO and candidate Direct Access Entities in all their operational and financial activities.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Project Coordinator will perform the following specific activities:
• Coordinate day to day project functions within the EEA and EB
• Operationalize all indicators mainstreamed by the GCF Accreditation consultant’s assessment and monitoring tools
• Communicates findings from consultants’ situational analysis for awareness and mainstreaming GCF fiduciary requirements
• Facilitate implementation of action plans for compliance with good practices required by the GCF
• Support the review of gender, environmental and social safeguards policies of nominated accreditation entities to meet GCF minimum requirements aligning with national gender policy
• Operationalize action plans required in improving/updating; Administration, HR, Fraud, Ethics and Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest and gender policies
• Operationalize entity action plan reports (one for EEA another for EB) detailing how to address gaps towards accessing GCF funds
• Coordinate the organization and facilitation of trainings, workshops, consultations and assessments
• Facilitate timely delivery of guidelines and training manual by GCF Accreditation consultant to address identified gaps and assist the nominated entities for accreditation
• Facilitate awareness and delivery of a matrix tool to users within the candidate DAEs
• Facilitate the development of a comprehensive communication strategy for policy reviews
• Lead awareness of all policy reviews to ensure staff understanding and compliance with policy reviews
• Advise on institutional policies and procedures to be adhered to during project implementation
• Advise on institutional functions and roles during project implementation
• Provide guidance on where access specific information and people responsible within the institutions
• Prepare project progress reports
• Facilitate assessment of web – based systems for the institution

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in development studies, economics, environment, natural resources management or any other related
• 5 years of work experience in project management and implementation
• Working Knowledge of English (level C)
• National of Eswatini

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Commitment to inclusiveness and gender equality with demonstrated experience in integrating gender and diversity issues
• Be committed to and able to meet the deadline
• Strong facilitation and coaching skills as well as be familiar with participatory approaches

Selection Criteria

• Experience in EB and EEA operational systems is an added advantage

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION