Job Posting: 24 April 2026
Closure Date: 16 May 2026, 12:59 AM
Organizational Unit: RAF – Regional Office for Africa (Accra)
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: Consultant
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Duration: 11 months
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 Sustainable Development Goals 2030 through FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022–31 by supporting transformations 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) has identified Animal Production Systems and One Health Platforms and Actions (APSOH) as one of its Programme Work Areas under the regional thematic priority Sustainable Agrifood Production Systems, aligned with the Better Production pillar of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–31. RAF leads FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through identification, planning and implementation of priority activities, while also promoting regional policy dialogue, capacity development, partnerships and resource mobilization across Africa.
Within this framework, FAO RAF is the designated office overseeing the Africa CDC-led regional Pandemic Fund project, “Harmonizing Continental Networks and Systems for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in Africa (HARMONIZE)”, alongside AfDB and UNICEF as Implementing Entities. The project seeks to strengthen pandemic prevention, detection and response capacities across the African continent by promoting locally driven solutions, standardized approaches, and cross-border and multisectoral collaboration, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings, with the aim of building resilient, efficient and community-centered public health systems.
As a financial intermediary, FAO-RAF will use the project fund pass-through modality and ensure implementation through AU-CDC, as project beneficiary, as well as through delivery partners, in line with FAO administrative and financial rules. The project will also engage a range of additional delivery partners.
Reporting Lines
The Project Coordinator will report to the Senior Animal Production and Health Officer for the FAO Regional Office for Africa and the Budget Holder of the project. The incumbent will implement the project in close collaboration with AU-CDC, the other Pandemic Fund Implementing Entities (AfDB and UNICEF), delivery partners, the FAO headquarters and RAF regional Pandemic Fund Project Team, as well as the Sub-regional Animal Production and Health Officers for FAO’s subregional offices in Central, East, West and Southern Africa.
Technical Focus
The Project Coordinator will provide technical leadership and coordination to project implementation for timely delivery and quality results. The technical focus includes partnership, coordination and communication; leadership of a multisectoral team; project cycle management; disease surveillance, diagnostics, preparedness and response; One Health in agrifood systems; monitoring and evaluation; community-based approaches; inclusivity and diversity.
Tasks and Responsibilities
The incumbent will deliver the following specific tasks:
Project work planning
- Maintain a dashboard of the HARMONIZE project partners and ensure updated communication and coordination aligned with FAO’s mandates, rules and regulations.
- Coordinate and facilitate the development of detailed annual workplans relevant to FAO’s contribution to HARMONIZE, in collaboration with AU-CDC, other Implementing Entities, delivery partners and relevant stakeholders, and submit them for clearance.
- Prepare project procurement, travel and recruitment plans in line with FAO rules and regulations.
- Formulate and facilitate the signing of contracts related to project implementation with implementing partners.
- Review and support implementing partners in developing specifications and Terms of Reference for goods and services contracts, and supervise consultants, implementing partners and service providers engaged in project delivery.
Project implementation monitoring and reporting
- Ensure sound implementation modalities, including Operational Partners Implementation Modality (OPIM), Letters of Agreement (LoA) or other appropriate instruments as required.
- Coordinate and supervise implementation of project activities contracted to implementing partners to ensure coordinated delivery of results.
- Ensure implementation follows the logframe and the M&E framework, meets milestones on time and responds effectively to actions needed to keep implementation on track.
- Ensure implementing partners submit results in time for quarterly, half-yearly and annual reporting to FAO and the Pandemic Fund Secretariat.
- Monitor planned project activities on a day-to-day basis and provide weekly, monthly and six-monthly updates to the Lead Technical Officer and the RAF Pandemic Fund team as required.
- Monitor implementing partners’ contract performance and recommend corrective measures where necessary.
- Serve as Secretary to the FAO component of the HARMONIZE Project Taskforce (PTF), organize meetings and maintain records of proceedings.
- Coordinate and collaborate with Implementing Entities and implementing partners to ensure timely integration of results into the project’s Results, Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks.
Coordination, collaboration and synergy building
- Lead and participate in coordination meetings involving the Pandemic Fund Secretariat, RAF Pandemic Fund coordination mechanisms, FAO NSAH-CJW and implementing partners.
- Liaise and coordinate with other Pandemic Fund projects implemented in beneficiary countries for efficient use of resources and to avoid duplication.
- Build effective and innovative synergies with other HARMONIZE Implementing Entities and stakeholders to ensure coordinated implementation through the One Health approach.
Leadership
- Provide technical leadership to ensure timely achievement of targets, milestones and quality results.
- Manage and supervise material and financial resources, and affiliated workforce, allocated to the FAO component of HARMONIZE.
- Identify and act on constraints and issues requiring timely resolution and corrective action.
- Ensure project activities are implemented and managed in accordance with FAO and Pandemic Fund guidelines and procedures.
- Identify and escalate critical implementation issues, including delays, gaps, risks and major changes, to the attention of the Lead Technical Officer for timely resolution.
Other
- Assist the Senior Animal Production and Health Officer in resource mobilization and project formulation to support sustainability and potential scale-up of project results.
- Perform any other related duties as required by the Lead Technical Officer and the FAO Subregional Coordinator in East Africa.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the IAU/UNESCO in Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science, One Health, Epidemiology, Biomedical Sciences, or another relevant discipline. Consultants with a bachelor’s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
- At least five years of professional experience in the management of multisectoral, multi-country projects under an international framework, using the One Health approach.
- Working knowledge (Level C) of English.
FAO Core Competencies
- Results Focus
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
- Extent and relevance of experience in planning and managing projects related to animal health, wildlife, community development and One Health in agrifood systems.
- Demonstrated ability to write technical and communication documents in both English and French.
- Intermediate knowledge (Level B) of French is considered an asset.
- Familiarity with drafting procurement plans.
- Familiarity with FAO’s work, especially in the African region and the UN system, is considered an asset.
- Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
- Demonstrated track record of strategic planning and leading project implementation in livestock, agriculture, public health, community engagement and/or environment-related sectors.
- Experience with the development of monitoring and evaluation plans.
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.
- If support is needed, candidates may create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for assistance.
