National Operations Specialist (SURAGGWA Project), Kano

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner to ensure zero hunger in the country. FAO provides support in three priority areas: sustainable increase in production and productivity, agriculture-based economic growth, and increased resilience of livelihoods to threats and crisis. The current portfolio of projects in Nigeria includes activities related to agriculture (crop), livestock, Fisheries, Natural Resource management and Food Security Information Management and Analysis.

The incumbent will contribute to the country’s programme and portfolio as foreseen in the project he/she will be assigned to provide technical support.

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.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Liaise and assist government authorities and local, national and international institutions in the areas of FAO's activities in the country and with other UN agencies. He/she may represent 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 (such as website, press releases and publications) and support to implementation of FAO's regulatory framework (Codex Alimentarius, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Safe Use of Pesticides, etc.) in the country.
•     Coordinate the collection, consolidation and maintenance of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries, including information on external aid in FAO's corporate systems, and monitors changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector.
•     Participate in producing technical, economic and policy studies, as required, and developing country level development 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 monitors and reviews the status of programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; identifies inconsistencies and delays and, when necessary, proposes corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
•     Brief, train and supervise junior staff; ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements as well as accuracy and diligence of the work provided.

Specifically, the incumbent will:

•     Monitor project activities and ensure adherence to FAO country programme budget and conformance with UN standards and regulations.
•     Develop and aid strategic planning and implementation of the SURAGGWA project to strengthen the resilience of the people of coern in Nigeria
•     Retrieve, enter, select and analyse data from a wide variety of sources, including FAO’s corporate  systems and data bases; verify accuracy of data documents; make necessary calculations.
•     Assist to organize and handle day-to-day operational activities of the SURAGGWA and FAO Nigeria. This entails providing support in all aspects of project cycle management, i.e. project identification, formulation, appraisal and approval, implementation and monitoring, reporting and closure
•     Monitor budgets, support field budget authorization preparation, reconcile expenditures and other data and assist in the preparation of reports.
•     Examine and process a variety of payments/reimbursements/disbursements of various payments.
•     Assist in preparing Letter of Agreements (LoAs) and subsequent financial monitoring and payments processing of the LoAs.
•     Participate in country missions as necessary and provide technical assistance in monitoring/impact assessment.
•     Liaise with Government (at national and sub-national level) 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 other outreach events; present on FAO work as required.
•     In collaboration with technical experts, develop/update quantitative and qualitative tools and resources required to implement strategy at country level.
•     Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by FAO.
•     Undertake any other actions related to the project as requested by FAO

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

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) 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 the field of policy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development.
•     Extent and relevance of' experience in the collection of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals as well as programme/project implementation, monitoring and review.

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.