Job Posting: 24 April 2026
Closure Date: 9 May 2026, 12:59 AM
Organizational Unit: RAFTD
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: Consultant
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: Accra, Ghana
Duration: 11 months, with possibility of extension
Post Number: N/A
Important Notice: Please note that the closure date and time displayed above are based on the date and time settings of the applicant’s personal device.
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 persons 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. As a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, FAO 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 its strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) leads FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development by identifying, planning and implementing priority activities across the continent. It promotes multidisciplinary programming, supports regional policy dialogue, develops partnerships with regional institutions and development partners, and advances capacity development and resource mobilization in support of food security and agricultural transformation.
Within this framework, the SSTC Sahel Project seeks to strengthen irrigation, water management and land restoration capacities across Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mauritania. The position provides overall coordination and technical backstopping to ensure coherent project delivery across the region. The post is located in Accra, Ghana.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Regional SSTC Officer and will collaborate closely with technical units, country offices and regional coordination mechanisms.
Technical Focus
Project coordination, technical oversight, quality assurance, harmonization of methodologies, and structured support to implementation across participating countries.
Tasks and Responsibilities
The incumbent will carry out the following tasks:
- Coordinate and track the timely delivery of Sahel project activities across participating countries.
- Harmonize methodologies and standardize reporting tools for consistent use across the project.
- Provide technical backstopping and quality review to strengthen the accuracy of country-level outputs.
- Consolidate regional technical inputs and draft contributions for quarterly, annual and donor reports.
- Facilitate cross-country collaboration and alignment within the Sahel project governance and coordination architecture.
- Support coordination of all technical and operational aspects of the project across participating countries.
- Ensure alignment of national implementation activities with regional project frameworks and FAO standards.
- Serve as a technical coordination focal point between RAF, PSTD, UNOSSC and FAO Country Offices.
- Support quality assurance processes for methodologies, mission reports and technical deliverables.
- Facilitate structured communication flows and information exchange among project teams across the region.
- Coordinate implementation across Sahel countries to ensure coherent delivery.
- Provide technical backstopping to national consultants and FAO teams.
- Lead quality assurance of methodologies, reports and guidance materials.
- Support harmonization of tools and reporting frameworks at regional level.
- Review and consolidate technical submissions for reporting.
- Identify operational challenges and propose corrective actions.
- Facilitate virtual technical exchanges and cross-country learning.
- Ensure adherence to FAO visibility and quality standards.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the IAU/UNESCO in agriculture, natural resource management, water management, irrigation and water management agriculture, environmental engineering, civil engineering, development studies, or a related field. Consultants with a bachelor’s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
- At least five years of relevant experience in international development, water resources management, technical coordination or backstopping roles.
- Working knowledge (Level C) of English.
Competencies
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
- Experience working within regional or multi-country programme structures.
- Intermediate knowledge (Level B) of French is considered an asset.
- Strong experience in multi-country coordination, technical backstopping and programme oversight.
- Proven ability to review, consolidate and quality-assure technical documentation.
- Experience with monitoring, reporting and results-based management frameworks.
- Strong ability to work with multidisciplinary and multi-country teams.
- Experience in irrigation, water management or land restoration is an advantage.
- Knowledge of FAO or UN project implementation procedures is an asset.
- Experience in networking with partners in the African region at all levels, including ministries, donors, private sector actors, NGOs and local community-based organizations.
- Relevant experience coordinating and working with both international and local institutions.
- Proven ability to deliver quality outputs under tight deadlines.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All, Integrity and Transparency.
Additional Information
FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process. FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from institutions recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list and the World Higher Education Database (WHED). Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
How to Apply
- Visit the Jobs at FAO recruitment website and complete your online profile.
- Ensure that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills.
- Attach a letter of motivation to your online profile.
- Once your profile is completed, submit your application.
- FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions recognized in the WHED and aligned with ISCED mappings.
- Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization for verification of work history, character, education, military and police records, where relevant.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Only applications received through the official FAO recruitment portal will be considered.
- Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the deadline date.
- If support is needed, candidates may create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for assistance.
