Provincial Coordinator (Sudurpashchim Province)

Duration: 6 months with further extension

Organizational Setting

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
• advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
• provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
• assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
• Position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation;
• ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The position is located in the Sudurpashchim Province, based in the Provincial office of the FAO Nepal Country Office, and will support the field implementation of projects in the region. The Provincial Coordinator for Sudurpaschim Province will serve as the primary focal point for the project at the provincial level, ensuring effective planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of project activities in close collaboration with provincial and local government authorities, implementing partners, community stakeholders, and FAO Nepal. The incumbent will facilitate stakeholder engagement, strengthen partnerships, support work plan development and execution, monitor progress against agreed targets, identify and address implementation bottlenecks, ensure compliance with project requirements and donor obligations, organize meetings and capacity development activities, and contribute to knowledge management, documentation, and reporting. The Provincial Coordinator will also provide strategic and technical support to promote alignment of project interventions with provincial priorities, enhance local ownership, and ensure the timely achievement of project outcomes and sustainable impact across Sudurpaschim Province.

Reporting Lines

The Provincial Coordinator works under the overall supervision of the FAOR in Nepal, direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Programme), and in close coordination with the Emergency and Resilience Coordinator, and the technical supervision of the FAORAP/HQs, and in close consultation and coordination with the government counterparts.

Technical Focus

The Provincial Coordinator will support provincial-level planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of FAO projects in Sudurpashchim Province and the western region of Lumbini Province, with emphasis on stakeholder coordination, capacity development, quality assurance, climate resilience, gender equality and social inclusion, and timely achievement of project results.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Coordinate provincial-level planning and implementation of ReFAME activities in line with the project document and approved annual work plans, ensuring disaggregated planning by year, district, and budget headings.
• Support the Project Management Unit (PMU) in effective execution of project activities, including finalization of Letters of Agreement (LOA)/contracts in consultation with the PMU, and maintain close coordination with the FAO Nepal Country Office.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to track progress, address implementation bottlenecks, and ensure quality and timely delivery.
• Coordinate and maintain strong working relationships with the PMU, Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment (Sudurpashchim Province), Division Forest Offices, Provincial Ministries, Local Governments, UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure harmonized, complementary, and sustainable interventions.
• Lead and support capacity-building initiatives, including capacitating human resources hired by the Operational Partner (OP), government counterparts, community institutions, and project beneficiaries for smooth implementation.
• Develop concept notes and detailed budget estimates for project activities and events, integrating gender equality, social inclusion, and climate resilience considerations.
• Support and monitor implementation of related FAO projects in Sudurpashchim and western region of Lumbini Province (e.g., ReFAME, GAFSP-PO, Four Better Model Village) to ensure quality of implementation, synergy and complementarities.
• Facilitate visits from FAO CO, RAP, HQ, government counterparts, and other stakeholders, and coordinate with technical officers for necessary support.
• Represent FAO Nepal at provincial and local coordination meetings, workshops, and technical forums, including emergency-response, food security and nutrition coordination mechanisms and line agencies.
• Apply accountability and quality assurance mechanisms, organize periodic review and reflection meetings, coordinate Project Task Force meetings, and prepare required progress reports (quarterly, biannual, annual) in line with project, OPA, and donor requirements, documenting lessons learned and good practices.
• Provide coordination support to short-term consultants and undertake additional technical, coordination, or operational assignments (e.g., ITB, RFQ, RFP, BOQ, M&E, reporting, proposal development, etc.) as requested by the FAO Country Office to ensure effective achievement of project results.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in agricultural science, international development, natural resource management, climate change or any other related field.
• At least five years of progressive professional experience in implementation, coordination and management of agriculture, agrifood systems, rural development, climate resilience, natural resource management or development programmes.
• Working knowledge of English (level C).
• National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal or resident of the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field-based assignments.
• Extent and relevance of experience in coordinating agriculture, agrifood systems, rural development, climate resilience or natural resource management projects.
• Demonstrated experience working with provincial and local governments, civil society organizations, UN agencies, development partners and other stakeholders.
• Experience in project planning, monitoring, reporting, budgeting, capacity development and coordination of service providers or operational partners.

Selection Criteria

• Strong experience in provincial-level coordination, field implementation and stakeholder engagement.
• Proven ability to prepare and monitor work plans, budgets, procurement-related inputs, risk registers and progress reports.
• Demonstrated capacity to organize and facilitate training, workshops, review meetings and technical coordination forums.
• Strong skills in monitoring implementation, documenting results, preparing reports and addressing operational bottlenecks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and deliver results under pressure

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.