National Coordinator (Flagships Initiative)

The National Coordinator will provide leadership, management, and technical guidance to ensure the achievement of programme objectives and delivery of project outputs across flagship initiatives aimed at transforming agrifood systems in Lesotho. The role involves coordinating stakeholders, facilitating partnerships, and supporting implementation of projects under the Special Programme for agrifood system transformation.

Responsibilities

• Acquaint self with all support projects for the implementation of the Special Programme for agrifood system transformation and associated flagship initiatives
• Provide technical guidance to government departments and other implementing partners for ongoing projects
• Work closely with national focal points for different flagship initiatives and instil ownership and leadership across government departments
• Liaise with South-South technical partners for effective delivery of technical assistance to the OCOP initiative
• Facilitate collaboration between government departments and the National University of Lesotho for establishing a robust potato seed system
• Prepare and monitor implementation of annual workplans for different support projects
• Liaise with FAO technical units for mobilizing technical and financial resources for scaling the initiative in Lesotho
• Ensure effective liaison and maintain good communication with global and regional partners including International Potato Centre and the Chinese Academy for Agricultural Science
• Facilitate policy dialogue for establishment of public private partnership for development of robust potato seed system including infrastructure and production facilities
• Coordinate internal and external actors for delivery of the special programme for agrifood system transformation
• Carry out any other duties related to implementation and delivery of flagship initiatives

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Agronomy, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics or related field
• 10 years of relevant experience in Agronomy, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics or related field
• Working Knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and Sesotho
• National of Lesotho
• FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED)
• 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
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances

Skills

• Agronomy
• Agricultural Economics
• Agriculture
• Programme Management
• Project Coordination
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Partnership Facilitation
• Food Systems Transformation
• Technical Guidance
• Performance Assessment
• Security Clearance Procedures

Languages

English, Sesotho