National Operations Specialist (SURAGGWA Project)

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Liaise and assist government authorities and local, national, and international institutions in areas of FAO's activities and with other UN agencies, representing FAO at inter-agency meetings as required.
• Promote the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization's mandate, programmes, national priorities, and activities, including development and maintenance of communication tools and support to FAO's regulatory framework.
• Coordinate the collection, consolidation, and maintenance of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries, including information on external aid in corporate systems, and monitor national policy changes affecting agriculture.
• Participate in producing technical, economic, and policy studies, and in developing country-level frameworks such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
• Participate in the identification, formulation, and preparation of programme and project proposals, and monitor and review project implementation to ensure activities align with work plans; identify inconsistencies and propose corrective measures.
• Brief, train, and supervise junior staff, ensuring adherence to procedures, work requirements, accuracy, and diligence.
• Monitor project activities and ensure adherence to the FAO country programme budget and conformance with UN standards and regulations.
• Develop and aid strategic planning and implementation of the SURAGGWA project to strengthen resilience.
• Retrieve, enter, select, and analyse data from various sources (including FAO corporate systems and databases), verify data documents, and perform necessary calculations.
• Assist in organizing and handling day-to-day operational activities of SURAGGWA and FAO Nigeria across all aspects of project cycle management (identification, formulation, appraisal, approval, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and closure).
• Monitor budgets, support field budget authorization preparation, reconcile expenditures, and assist in report preparation.
• Examine and process various payments, reimbursements, and disbursements.
• Assist in preparing Letters of Agreement (LoAs) and subsequent financial monitoring and payment processing.
• Participate in country missions as necessary and provide technical assistance in monitoring and impact assessment.
• Liaise with national and sub-national government levels and other relevant partners to map gaps in national policies relating to fisheries and aquaculture.
• Prepare technical content for working papers, advocacy materials, web pages, articles, invitation letters, and information material for technical networks, workshops, conferences, and outreach events, presenting on FAO work as required.
• Collaborate with technical experts to develop/update quantitative and qualitative tools and resources required to implement strategy at the country level.
• Carry out any other relevant duties within technical competence as requested by FAO.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University Degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or any other field related to the work of the Organization.
• Three years of relevant experience in agricultural development and/or project implementation in an area of FAO's activities in the country.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Hausa.
• National of Nigeria.

FAO Core Competencies:

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

Technical / Functional Skills:

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.

• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project development and management.
• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines, and project/programme management procedures (preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO).
• Extent and relevance of experience in policy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture, and rural development.
• Extent and relevance of experience in collecting country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries.
• Extent and relevance of experience in identifying, formulating, and preparing programme and project proposals, as well as project implementation, monitoring, and review.

Reporting Lines:

• The National Operations Specialist will provide operational and coordination support for the implementation of the SURAGGWA project, ensuring effective planning, execution, and monitoring of project activities.
• The role will leverage knowledge of local institutions, administrative processes, stakeholder dynamics, cultural contexts, and languages to facilitate collaboration with government counterparts, communities, and implementing partners, while ensuring compliance with FAO operational procedures and timely delivery of project outputs.

Technical Focus:

• The National Operations Specialist will provide operational and coordination support for the implementation of the SURAGGWA project, ensuring effective planning, execution, and monitoring of project activities.
• The role will leverage knowledge of local institutions, administrative processes, stakeholder dynamics, cultural contexts, and languages to facilitate collaboration with government counterparts, communities, and implementing partners, while ensuring compliance with FAO operational procedures and timely delivery of project outputs.

Application Closing Date
21st August, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

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
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website:
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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