National Grant Operation Specialist

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

This Beneficiary Grants Operational Manual (GOM) is developed by the Budget Holder (i.e., FAOR Lao PDR) based on Manual Section 703 for specifying the operational procedures that will be used in the project Climate Smart Agriculture Alternatives for Upland Production Systems in Lao PDR (hereafter CRA project) for cash grants to the project beneficiaries. The procedures are recorded in this manual for cash grants for supporting Community-led Climate Resilient Investment packages (CRIPs), value-chain piloting and value-chain investments. This beneficiary GOM describes all aspects of the award and implementation and progress monitoring of the Beneficiary Grants.

This manual is to be cleared in advance by the Director of the Project Support Division (PSS) (MS 703.2). It will be based on the feasibility assessment and technical guidance by the Inclusive Rural Finance Team (IRF) of the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) (MS 703.4). It is understood that the clearance of this GOM by FAO/PSS is risk based, considering the risks presented by a specific beneficiary cash grants modality within a specific context, plus the control measures proposed by the Budget Holder to manage and mitigate these risks. The CRA project is Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant funded that is being implemented by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Department of Land Administration and Management (DLAM) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is the main executing agency. The project is being implemented through operational partner implementation modality (OPIM) and the OP is World Vision International Lao PDR.

Climate change poses significant current and expected risks to Lao PDR, particularly for farmers. Forecast trends indicate bifurcated and intense rainfall events during the wet season resulting in greater levels of precipitation and increased flooding. It will also result in a hotter and drier dry season leading to increased droughts and more crop failures. The project covers four districts in Northern Laos in two provinces - Phonphong and Viengkham districts in Luang Prabang province and Xiengkhor and Kuanh districts in Houaphanh province. The rural households in the project area that are heavily reliant on agriculture as their main source of livelihood are particularly vulnerable to these threats, with both high exposure and high sensitivity, especially those relying on rainfed production of lower-value commodity crops such as rice and other upland crops. Small agribusinesses in the rural areas are financially weak and find difficulties to source agricultural products from the project district and add value to reach to consumer markets.
The project objective is to enhance resilience of vulnerable upland communities to climate change impacts through climate-smart agricultural practices in upland production systems. The project has the following four components.
• Component 1: Enabling environment to promote and incentivize resilient and sustainable rural landscapes in Lao PDR
• Component 2: Resilient and sustainable land-use planning and value-chain networks in two provinces of the northern uplands.
• Component 3: Climate-smart technologies and innovations deployed in two provinces of the northern uplands.
• Component 4: Monitoring and evaluation, project communication, and lesson-learning

Reporting Lines

The National Grant Operation Specialist works under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Lao PDR, the direct supervision of the AFAOR-P, and the technical supervision of the Lead National Consultant, Climate and Livelihood Expert for Grant Management Manual, with support from the International GEF Expert. The incumbent will be the coordinator of the MS703 process for FAO in charging in the beneficiary Grant covering the overall process of assessment and approval.

Technical Focus

The technical focus is on designing, delivering, and institutionalizing the grant operation for the CRIPs, Value Change piloting, and Value Change investments of the project Climate Smart Agriculture Alternatives for Upland Production Systems in Lao PDR (hereafter CRA project) for cash grants to the project beneficiaries.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Lead the formulation of the Grant Management Manual and Small Grant Selection Process, ensuring alignment with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Beneficiary Grant under ESP Beneficiary Grant MS703.
• Oversee the implementation and reporting of small grants and LoA-based activities, ensuring that financial and narrative reports meet project and donor requirements.
• Facilitate the consolidation of all partner and grant reports into the project’s official reporting system and ensure operational compliance with FAO and GEF.
• Assist the Lead National Consultant and the Climate and Livelihood Expert to serve as national grant operation focal point for manage grant operation and procurement of LoA.
• Facilitate the CRA Beneficiary Grant Technical Committee (BGTC) to finalize the grants selection process.
• Assist in the smooth and timely implementation of project GOM in support of the results-based and partners contractual work plans, through administrative, logistical support procedures according to FAO rules and standards.
• Assist in the coordination and review of project operational arrangements through contractual agreements (OPA & LoA) with key project partners, in collaboration with the focal point for all FAO-GEF projects in regard to finance and material inputs for OPA and LoA.
• Request the Budget Holder to take a decision on the award and value of beneficiary cash grants, which must be determined through a process that guarantees transparency and integrity.
• Assist in the execution of accurate and timely actions on all operational requirements for personnel-related matters, and for smaller-budget equipment and material procurement, and project staff and consultant related field disbursements;
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in public management, agricultural development, rural development, climate change, climate finance or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in facilitation, procurement, grant proposal design and delivery, or technical advisory services in agriculture, climate change, environment, climate finance, or development projects
• Minimum 5 years of experience in facilitating the agricultural and environmental project implementation for government institutions and development partners
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Lao PDR

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong organizational and administrative skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in multicultural environments
• Proposal design and delivery
• Knowledge management & e-learning
• Coordination and facilitation

Selection Criteria

• Track record of grant operation proposal developing and delivering, preferably on agriculture, climate resilience and rural development.
• Knowledge and experience with Government of Lao PDR governance structure.
• Experience in GEF project development and management, including familiarity with GEF modalities, investment criteria, feasibility studies, cost-benefit analysis, gender mainstreaming, indigenous peoples, and environmental and social safeguards is required.
• Experience in working with multi-stakeholder coordination (government ministries, and development partners) is required.

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 http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• 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 http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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