Field Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.
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 catalyze 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; and
• Ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

STAR-FARM is a 4-year project funded by the EU Delegation and led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (new name: Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) through its line agency - the International Cooperation Department. The project aims at creating an enabling environment for the establishment of sustainable value chains in the Mekong Delta, based on agroecological approaches. FAO will take the management and coordination role in the consortium implementing the project. Besides FAO, the project consortium will involve other research and development institutions, including IRD, CIRAD, ISPAE, VAAS and Can Tho University.

To support the implementation of the project "Smart Agro-ecological Transformation of Farming Systems towards Resilience and Sustainability in Middle and Coastal Zones of the Viet Nam Mekong Delta (STAR-FARM)", FAO is seeking a motivated, dynamic candidate to serve as Field Coordinator for this project.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Viet Nam (FAOR), direct supervision of Lead Technical Officer, Project National Technical Advisor and Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), and day-to-day supervision by the PMU and National Project Coordinator – STAR-FARM Project.

Technical Focus

The Field Coordinator will be responsible for providing technical support and coordination of all project- related field activities and events performed either by project’s donor, PMU, FAO or any of the five project’s consortium members, as well as monitoring and reporting to supervisors and the project team at FAO to ensure that all field works are supported and facilitated in a timely and efficient manner.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Coordinate and collect input from all relevant project stakeholders to develop the project’s field-work periodical workplans in accordance with the project’s overall workplan.
• Coordinate and facilitate the administrative procedures at provincial level to obtain permission for project activities and the work of international staff in the field.
• Support the implementation of all project activities performed on the field by FAO, five consortium members and related stakeholders.
• Research and identify similar initiatives/ programmes/ activities implemented other projects/donors in the same project’s
areas and set up mutual meeting/discussions to discuss collaboration and find synergies.
• Coordinate with other active stakeholders in the project provinces and the VMD and provide advice on potential overlapping
of field activities and ensure synergies among various efforts of all project’s related stakeholders.
• Monitor project field-work progress and actively discuss the various implementation and coordination issues with FAO and other related stakeholders.
• Support the organization of workshops, training, field trip, donor visits and various types of meetings at provinces including logistic and permission arrangement, coordination and cooperation with all the field level stakeholders.
• Regularly liaise and update local government agencies, and other stakeholders on the project progress and any issues that may arise.
• Contribute to periodical operational and other reports of the project.
• Perform other tasks as assigned;

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• A bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agribusiness, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in agricultural development, preferably in a field-based role.
• Working knowledge in the English and Vietnamese
• National of Vietnamese

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience with inter-governmental bodies and multi-disciplinary teams;
• Work experience in development sector and at the field level;
• Work experience with UN system, FAO in particular is an advantage;
• Computer literacy in standard office software and proficiency in project management tools and software
• Good knowledge of agricultural production systems and practices, particularly in the project's focus areas

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.