Job Description

FAO Agri-food Wholesale Markets Coordinator

Location :
Ramallah, with frequent visits to project sites in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES


Application Deadline :
28-Apr-23 (Midnight New York, USA)


Time left :
10d 13h 54m


Type of Contract :
Service Contract


Post Level :
SB-4


Languages Required :

Arabic English


Duration of Initial Contract :
12 months which can be extended based on fund availability and performance








UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an intergovernmental Organization with more than 192 member countries. Since its inception, FAO has worked to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting agricultural development, improved nutrition and the pursuit of food security - defined as the access of all people at all times to the food they need for an active and healthy life. To achieve its goals, FAO cooperates with thousands of partners worldwide, from farmers\xe2\x80\x99 groups to traders, from non-governmental organizations to other UN agencies, from development banks to agribusiness firms (further and more detailed information on FAO can be found on the internet site: http://www.fao.org). Since 2002, FAO Coordination Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS) has supported the preparation for and response to food and agricultural threats and livelihood emergencies in the WBGS through emergency relief, rehabilitation and revitalization of productive capacity. FAO interventions help protect access and entitlements of Palestinian farming households to land, water, services and markets. Such interventions are essential to enhance overall food security, reduce dependency on relief assistance amongst vulnerable Palestinians and contribute to institution building. FAO WBGS has been implementing a Multi-donor Agribusiness Programme (MAP II) titled \xe2\x80\x9cPromoting Market-oriented Investments and Innovations for Sustainable Agri-food System Development\xe2\x80\x9d since December 2022. The programme, which is funded by Denmark, the European Union, Switzerland, and Spain, seeks to enable Palestinian agribusinesses to generate better income, trade and welfare by following and promoting innovative approaches toward more sustainable, market-oriented, competitive and profitable agribusiness. FAO is seeking a highly motivated Agri-food Wholesale Markets Coordinator to lead and coordinate a set of interlinked interventions to strengthen the regulatory, governance, managerial, infrastructural and service delivery capacities of the selected Wholesale Central Markets (WCMs). The Agri-food Wholesale Markets Coordinator will work under the overall supervision of the FAO WBGS Head of Office, the general supervision of the Head of Programme, the direct supervision of the Project Manager, and in close collaboration with other relevant FAO WBGS personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Agri-food Wholesale Markets Coordinator will lead and coordinate a set of interlinked interventions to strengthen the regulatory, governance, managerial, infrastructural and service delivery capacities of the selected WCMs and/or community marketing aggregation facilities while capitalizing on the lessons learned from the MAP. In particular, s/he will perform the following key functions:

• coordinate and support the activities related to organizing evidence-based assessments as well as consultations and dialogues with all related actors and stakeholders with regard to the identification of the priority WCMs and/or community marketing aggregation facilities to be targeted;

• ensure day-to-day follow-up throughout implementation, including for the consultative definition and development of i) a sustainable and inclusive regulatory framework; ii) bylaws for the formation of WCM management boards; iii) facility management manuals and guidelines; iv) more efficient and transparent wholesaling activities for farmers, agribusinesses and traders; and v) tailored infrastructural and service delivery improvements for the targeted WCMs or community marketing aggregation facilities;

• assess the economic, environmental and technical feasibility of upgrading various types of infrastructures and service facilities for the targeted WCMs and/or community marketing aggregation facilities;

• develop Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the relevant expertise and support and certify their day-to-day delivery and progress;

• ensure the quality of implementation and provide technical follow-up regarding the infrastructure support through developing technical specifications for works and services to be contracted;

• provide technical and administrative support and tailored coaching and training to ensure the local buy-in and proper functioning of the WCM interventions;

• coordinate and lead regular inspections of project sites to monitor the work progress of the contractors and to ensure conformance to design specifications and safety/sanitation standards and issue any required technical engineering instructions needed for the completion of the works in accordance with the project\xe2\x80\x99s guidelines and objectives; this includes explaining, adjusting and modifying the specifications and the relevant drawings of the works in case of ambiguities or discrepancies;

• conduct on-site visits to verify the technical feasibility of constructing, repairing or rehabilitating various types of agricultural foundations such as community market aggregation facilities, wells, cisterns, packinghouses, pools, main pipes, conveying steel pipes, etc.;

• measure the work progress (quantitative and qualitative) and certify (complete, receive and approve) payment requests, as well as after the completion of any assigned milestones and deliverables;

• assist in the preparation of project reports and information materials as well as documenting success stories and lessons learnt in line with donor requirements and FAO rules and procedures in a timely manner;

• perform other duties as and when requested.

Competencies

FAO Core Competencies:

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN\xe2\x80\x99s values and ethical standards,

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of FAO,

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability,

• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Technical/Functional Competencies: a) Knowledge Management and Learning,

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office,

• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice, areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

b) Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to apply conceptual models in support of formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects,

• Strong IT skills.

c) Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback,

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude,

• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills,

• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure,

• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

d) Communication Competencies

• Effectively communicates relevant project information to superiors,

• Delivers engaging, informative and well-organized presentations,

• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, and interpersonal skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: A Master\xe2\x80\x99s or a Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree in civil engineering or closely related engineering fields. Experience:

• At least 4 years (for the Mater\xe2\x80\x99s degree) and 6 years (for the Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree) in projects supervision and execution, preferably in construction works related to public and agricultural infrastructures

• Proven experience in dealing and liaising with local authorities (municipalities), ministries and civil society organizations.

• Proven experience with infrastructural and facility development of large-scale agri-food marketing facilities.

• Valid membership in the Palestinian Engineers Syndicate.

Language Requirements: Working knowledge of spoken and written Arabic and English. Other: Excellent reporting and communication skills. Professional skills in standard computer applications. Ability to travel to the project sites in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. TO APPLY: APPLICATIONS WITHOUT THE COMPLETED UNDP P-11 FORM WILL BE TREATED AS INCOMPLETE AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. UNDP P11 form (new Personal History form) (google.com). Kindly ensure to upload both CV and P-11 as one document as the system will only allow one attachment.