Programme Specialist

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) advances the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation toward more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. This effort promotes better production, improved nutrition, a healthier environment, and enhanced livelihoods, ensuring no one is left behind.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) is located in Apia, Samoa and covers 14 Pacific Island countries. Pacific Island countries continue to face multiple and interconnected challenges, including climate change, natural disasters, economic vulnerabilities, supply-chain disruptions, and increasing food insecurity, all of which continue to affect progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In response to these challenges, FAOSAP implements a broad portfolio of projects and programmes across the Pacific region aimed at strengthening sustainable agrifood systems, food security and nutrition, climate resilience, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, biodiversity conservation, agricultural value chains, and rural livelihoods. These interventions are implemented in close collaboration with governments, development partners, regional organizations, civil society, and local communities.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands, the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, and in close consultation with the relevant Lead Technical Officers (LTOs), the Programme Specialist will support the implementation and coordination of projects and programmes under the FAOSAP portfolio.
The incumbent will liaise closely with FAOSAP Operations, programme, finance, procurement, communications, and technical teams, as well as government counterparts, development partners, implementing partners, and relevant stakeholders, in accordance with FAO policies and procedures.

Technical Focus

Application of effective international development project management methodologies to support sustainable agrifood systems transformation in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including:
• Enabling policy and institutional environments
• Community-based crop and livestock production
• Climate-smart agriculture and resilience building
• Nutrition-sensitive food systems
• Food loss and waste reduction
• Value-chain development and market access
• Agri-entrepreneurship and agribusiness incubation
• Capacity development and knowledge management

The incumbent will support the planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring, and reporting of projects and programmes under the FAOSAP portfolio, in close collaboration with technical and operational teams.

Tasks and responsibilities

Key responsibilities

• Lead overall project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting to ensure delivery within the donor-approved timeframe, including management of any no-cost extensions.
• Prepare and coordinate annual and detailed work plans, procurement plans, budgets, and implementation schedules in line with FAO and donor requirements.
• Lead the preparation, review, and clearance of TORs.
• Working closely with LTO on the technical specifications, Letters of Agreement, service contracts, and procurement actions.
• Provide support with the hiring, onboarding, and performance management of international and national affiliate personnel across the three project countries.
• Exercise supervisory functions over other affiliate personnel (but not staff members)
• Participate in interview panels for the recruitment of affiliate personnel (but not staff members).
• Monitor and evaluate the work of consultants, contractors, and implementing partners, ensuring quality, timeliness, and compliance with FAO standards.
• Organize and lead Project Steering Committee meetings, Annual Review and Planning meetings, and other coordination mechanisms.
• Ensure effective financial management in coordination with the SAP Operations Unit, including budget monitoring, tranche reconciliation, payments, extensions, and closures.
• Prepare donor reports, progress updates, and project documentation, ensuring quality control, accuracy, and timely submission.
• Maintain regular coordination with government focal points and relevant ministries to ensure alignment with national priorities and achievement of project results.
• Ensure implementation of the project communication and visibility plan in collaboration with the SAP Communication Team and in line with donor visibility requirements.
• Keep the donor informed in a timely manner and consulting the donor when needed during the project implementation to ensure compliance.
• Prepare project closure documentation, including sustainability pathways, final reporting inputs, visibility compendium, and handover of assets and knowledge products.
• Represente FAOSAP in national, regional, UN, and donor meetings related to projects / programme assignment upon request and approval by supervisors.

Technical responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance and backstopping to project teams, national counterparts, consultants, and partners on agrifood systems transformation.
• Apply technical expertise in crops and horticulture, livestock, climate-smart agriculture, nutrition, food loss and waste reduction, value-chain development, agribusiness, and policy development.
• Support development and implementation of national and community-level interventions that strengthen domestic food production and resilience.
• Conduct regular field missions to countries to monitor progress, provide technical support, and strengthen stakeholder engagement.
• Review and clearing technical outputs and reports produced by consultants and partners, ensuring scientific rigor and FAO standards.
• Support development of training materials, capacity-building programmes, and knowledge products.
• Facilitate cross-country learning, documentation of best practices, and regional knowledge exchange.
• Build partnerships with regional organizations, academic institutions, private sector entities, and development partners.
• Strengthening synergies between assigned projects and other FAOSAP initiatives and contributing to broader national food systems pathways.
• Support resource mobilization efforts to sustain agrifood system transformation beyond the project period.
• Undertake any other duties required to ensure the successful implementation of the project, as requested by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Business Administration, Project Management, International Development, Agriculture or a related field. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in Programme/Project management, International Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, Agrifood Systems, Donor-funded projects or UN/International Organizations or a related field
• Working knowledge (level C) of English

FAO Core Competencies

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