FAO - Special Emergency Programmes Service (TCES)

Profile Code

TCES_01

Profile Description

PROJECT MANAGER - Project OSRO/SOM/708/EC

Duty Station

Somaliland (Northern Somalia)- with possible travel to Nairobi - Kenya

Deadline

27 May 2008

Enter on duty

Duration 6 months. Extendable up to 21 months

Send application to

TCES-Somalia-application@fao.org

Profile Requirements: PROJECT MANAGER (Project OSRO/SOM/708/EC)

Background

Whilst crop production in Somalia is mainly concentrated in the southern riverine and inter-riverine regions, where 90% of Somalia's cereal grain crops are produced, some 10% of Somalia's grain production is produced from the more arid North-West, where the rain-fed production of sorghum from Awdal region is an important contributor. In Awdal region, fertile soils in the districts of Baki and Lughaya, coupled with proximity to urban markets in Boroma, Hargeysa and Djibouti, and a relative abundance of irrigation water from shallow wells and springs in the Dur-Dur water shed, offers considerable potential for the development and expansion of horticultural production in the area. Whilst irrigation agriculture will never be a major sub-sector in the Somaliland economy; nevertheless it can still have a strategic role to play in diversifying and enriching the domestic food basket through the supply of a range of horticultural products. Through increasing household income from irrigated farming activities, the project OSRO/SOM/708/EC intends "To contribute to strengthen and diversify livelihoods at household level amongst people of the Dur-Dur watershed, Awdal region, Somaliland."

Duties and responsibilities

The consultant will, under the overall supervision of the Chief, Technical Cooperation Emergency Services (TCES), the general supervision of the Officer in Charge for Somalia, the direct supervision of the concerned officer in charge of the project in FAO Somalia; with technical support from the Sub-regional Office of Addis Ababa and under the technical supervision of the technical services concerned, ensure effective and timely implementation of the project, provide administrative and technical assistance required by all parties involved in the project, and coordinate all the activities taking place within the region, with regard to the FAO project OSRO/SOM/708/EC: "Irrigation Consolidation and Development of Better Farming Systems in the Middle and Lower Catchments of the Dur-Dur Watershed, Awdal Region, Somaliland."

Duties and responsibilities

  • Assume overall responsibility for ensuring good project performance and achievement of stated outcomes;
  • Develop project work plans to be undertaken by the involved partners;
  • Ensure timely implementation of planned activities as identified in the work plan;
  • Facilitate cooperation with government authorities at all levels in the course of project implementation;
  • Supervise, monitor and evaluate all project activities according to FAO procedures;
  • Manage all the technical aspects and decisions concerning the projects activities;
  • Represent the project in public and at coordination meetings;
  • Ensure adherence to field security procedures for FAO staff and consultants and NGO implementing partners;
  • Perform other related duties and activities as required, following instruction from the chief of TCES and/or the Officer in Charge for Somalia.

Specific Duties

  • Consult with key partner institutions on a regular basis and coordinate the project activities with the partner institutions and their on-going programs;
  • Manage relationships with implementing NGO partners in compliance with donor's rules; this includes preparation and monitoring of Partnership Agreements and review of partners' narrative and financial reports;
  • Supervise, guide and manage project staff, including recruitment, appointment, evaluation and training of personnel required to implement the project in accordance with FAO policy and guidelines, in pursuit of achievement of the overall objectives of the project;
  • With due attention to an agreed reporting schedule, approve and certify for submission to the FAO Emergency Coordinator for Somalia, for onward transmission to FAO HQ and project donor, reports on the use of project resources and achievement of the project outputs and outcomes, including progress reports, monitoring reports and financial reports;
  • In addition to drafting of project reports for headquarters and donors, elaborate project monthly action plans and budget allocations, and develop project promotion materials and feature reports, on own initiative and as requested.

Essential Requirements

  • Degree in Agriculture, Rural Development or related fields;
  • Minimum 3 years experience in the management of rural development projects;
  • Knowledge of participatory approaches to development;
  • Excellent communication and team building skills;
  • Effective negotiation and team leadership skills;
  • Fluency in written and spoken English;
  • Effective report writing and presentation skills;
  • Ability to continue to operate efficiently under pressure and in an insecure environment.

Desirable Requirements

  • Professional work experience in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Somalia;
  • Documented experience in the coordination of a rural development project being implemented by a number of partners;
  • Experience in supervision of rural development projects: construction of irrigation systems and roads, crop systems, post-harvest;
  • Knowledge of Somali language and culture.

<-- Back