National Liaison Specialist at Food and Agriculture Organization: (Deadline 2 January 2025)

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 through FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022-31 by supporting the transformations to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for a Better production, Better nutrition, Better environment, and a Better life, leaving no one behind. The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) leads FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of the priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with offices, centres and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities.

RAF supports FAO’s work in member countries, develops and maintains strategic partnerships with continental organizations, and supports countries in developing strategies, policies, regulatory frameworks, and regional and country policy dialogues that sustain efficient and inclusive agricultural and food systems. RAF also facilitates partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders, including development partners, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The RAF has identified Animal production systems and One Health platforms and actions (APSOH) as one of its Programme Work Areas (PWA) under the regional thematic priority, Sustainable agrifood production systems, which corresponds to the Better Production of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31.

From FAO, the RAF is the designated office to implement the regional Pandemic Fund project “Strengthening One Health-based PPR in the Greater Virunga Landscape (SOHPPRGVL)” as one of the implementing entities (IEs). Other IEs in this project are WHO and UNICEF. RAF in addition to its IE role will also provide overall coordination support to the project.

The SOHPPRGVL project is being implemented through implementing partners (IPs): Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and the Gorilla Doctors (GD). The Ministries in charge of tourism,  wildlife, agriculture, livestock industries, and health of the three countries (DR Congo, Rwanda, Uganda) are the beneficiaries of the project.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the project Lead Technical Officer (LTO) Senior Animal Production and Health Officer for the FAO Regional Officer in Africa (RAF), the National Laison Specialist (NLS) will report to the Project Coordinator. The NLS will work under the overall administrative supervision and guidance of the FAO Representative in Rwanda. S/he will assist implementing the project in close collaboration with the Country Team Leader for Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), other IEs’ (WHO & UNICEF) and the IPs (GVTC, WWF, Gorilla Doctors), offices in Rwanda. The NLS will coordinate the SOHPPRGVL project activities with the activities of other Pandemic Fund projects in the country.

Technical Focus 

Coordination and communication, Multisectoral team player; Disease surveillance, diagnoses and response; One Health in agrifood systems; Laboratory capacity and networking; Wildlife ecosystem; Community-based approach; Inclusivity and diversity; Ecotourism.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the of the PC, overall supervision of the FAO-RAF Senior Animal Production and Health Officer and administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in Rwanda, the NLS will assist coordination of the project implementation. The incumbent will deliver the following specific tasks:
•    Assist the PC with the country-level information to prepare detailed SOHPPRGVL project annual work plans in consultation.
•    Assist the PC formulate/ facilitate project implementation-related contracts with implementing partners.
•    Liaise with IPs, plan field visit and collection of project implementation data, activities and outputs, from the field.
•    Assist the PC by liaising with IPs and the relevant government authorities and support the implementation project activities by the IPs.
•    Assist the PC in organising regular stakeholders’ meetings of the project coordination unit (PCU), project steering committee of delivery partners (PSC), Regional technical committees (RTC), and implementation mechanisms established for PPR, from community-based teams to national/regional teams across all relevant sectors, and prepare meeting records.
•    Monitor the implementation of planned SOHPPRGVL activities on day-to-day basis and provide weekly, monthly, and six-monthly updates to the PC.
•    Facilitate the SOHPPRGVL project baseline, midterm and end line assessments activities in the project implementation areas (4 districts au Rwanda – Burera, Musanze, Nyabihu, and Rubavu)
•    Participate in the formulation/design and dissemination of project visibility material / products.
•    Document project success stories and lessons learnt articles.
•    Monitor IPs contract performance on a regular basis and give feedback to the PC including recommended corrective measures where necessary.
•    Perform any other related duties as may be required by the PC and or the LTO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in veterinary medicine, animal science, wildlife, One Health, Epidemiology, biomedical sciences or any other relevant disciplines.
•    At least three years of professional experience in supporting multi-sectoral, multi-country project under the international framework, using the One Health approach.
•    Working levels (Level C) of English
•    National of Rwanda.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Demonstrated track record of successfully strategic planning and leading project implementation in the agriculture, public health, wildlife, community engagements, and or the environment sectors.
•    Experience with the development of monitoring and evaluation plans
•    Familiarity with the FAO or UN agencies work in Rwanda will be considered as an asset.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in the planning and management of projects related to animal health, wildlife, community development and One Health in the Agrifood systems.
•    Demonstrated ability to write technical and communication documents in English.
•    Excellent communication skills.
•    Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION