About Organisation:

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has a global mandate to improve nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, raise the standard of living in rural populations and contribute to global economic’ growth. Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO’s efforts – to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

Job Summary:    The FAO Representation in Uganda provides technical assistance to the Government of Uganda to achieve sustainable food, nutrition and income security through resilient, sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems. The Project Assistant will support the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting under the project UNJP/UGA/068/EC entitled “Improving Food Security and Resilience for Food Production Systems in Karamoja” funded by the European Union. The project aims to contributing to enhanced resilience and gender-responsiveness of food production and livelihood systems for food and nutrition security in Karamoja subregion using a food systems approach. This project builds on the work under the project “Strengthening shock-responsive systems in Karamoja’’ (PRO-ACT), jointly implemented by FAO and WFP, including institutionalization of early warning and early/anticipatory actions.

Reporting Lines: Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR), the Project Assistant reports directly to the (TBC) under the guidance of the Food Security and Livelihoods Coordinator in providing technical support in the implementation of all components of the project

Technical Focus: The Project Assistant will support the effective coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the project. The incumbent will also technically support the promotion of innovative climate smart and nature-based solutions and institutionalization of the Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) under the project.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:   The Project Assistant will be responsible for the following:

• • Support timely preparation of draft project work plan, budget, procurement plan and travel plans for review and consolidation.
  • Support timely implementation of project activities in line with the approved workplans.
  • Provide technical backstopping to implementing partners and partner project staff on the promotion of innovative climate smart and nature-based solutions for sustainable integration of crop-livestock production.

• Support planning and implementation of capacity building activities on MHEWS for District Teams, CBCs IPs and Communities.
• Support the development and consolidation of plans and tools for results-based field monitoring and provision of technical backstopping plans to implementing and local governments in collaboration with relevant technical staff and the MEAL unit.
• Participate in routine monitoring of partner activities in line with monitoring plan and provide timely actionable recommendations to address emerging issues.
• Ensure timely submission monitoring data and review draft reports from implementing partners in line with agreed schedules.
• Support planning and execution of field missions, meetings or workshops, and ensure timely submission of draft reports/minutes.
• Compile draft monthly progress briefs from project team members and submit to the Project Coordinator.
• Support timely preparation of draft inception, progress and final reports for the donor(s) for consolidation by the Project Coordinator based on agreed reporting schedule(s).
• Support communication and visibility activities of the project including documentation of lessons-learned, human-interest stories, etc to promote and preserve FAO’s corporate image.
• Undertake any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Minimum Requirements

• The applicant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Project Assistant job must hold a University Degree in agriculture, management, rural development, social sciences or related field from a recognized University,
• A minimum of two years of relevant experience in implementing multi-partner agricultural development and disaster Risk Management projects among rural communities in Karamoja sub-region or similar contexts,
• Working knowledge of English.
• National of Uganda.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in project implementation and monitoring using a result-based management approach.
• Extent and relevance of experience in managing projects dealing with food security and livelihoods and/or climate change adaptation and mitigation and/or addressing value chain development, and/or natural resource management.
• Experience in working with government partners at different levels.
• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting and facilitating multi-stakeholder’s processes including interacting with policy- and decision makers at various levels, communities and private sector.
• Proven coordination skills to implement capacity building projects and activities, including development and organization of training events at the district and local level.
• Demonstrated ability to open up to innovative approaches and new practices.
• Ability to deliver project outputs and budgets on timely manner with high standard quality.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills within team and with external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of farmer field school and other participatory extension approaches is an added advantage.