Job Posting: 24 April 2026
Closure Date: 16 May 2026, 12:59 AM
Organizational Unit: RAF
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: Consultant
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: Nairobi, Kenya
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 Sustainable Development Goals 2030 through FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022–31 by supporting transformations towards a more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood system, 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 in food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of priority activities across the region. It promotes a multidisciplinary approach to programming, supports strategic partnerships with regional organizations and development partners, and contributes to policy dialogue, regulatory frameworks, capacity development and resource mobilization across African food systems.
Within RAF, Animal Production Systems and One Health Platforms and Actions (APSOH) has been identified as one of the Programme Work Areas under the regional thematic priority Sustainable Agrifood Production Systems, corresponding to the Better Production pillar of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–31. RAF is also the designated FAO office overseeing the AU-IBAR-led regional Pandemic Fund project, titled “Strengthening One Health Capacity for Enhancing Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in Lake Chad Basin (SCOPE)”, alongside AfDB and UNICEF as Implementing Entities.
As a financial intermediary, FAO RAF will use the project fund pass-through modality and ensure implementation through AU-IBAR, as project beneficiary, as well as through delivery partners, in accordance with FAO administrative and financial rules. The project aims to strengthen cross-border capacities for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response through an integrated and inclusive One Health approach in the Lake Chad Basin, targeting Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.
Reporting Lines
The Project Coordinator will report to the Senior Animal Production and Health Officer for the FAO Regional Office for Africa and the project’s Budget Holder. The incumbent will implement the project in close collaboration with AU-IBAR, the other Pandemic Fund Implementing Entities (AfDB and UNICEF), delivery partners, the FAO headquarters and RAF regional Pandemic Fund team, as well as the Sub-regional Animal Production and Health Officers in Central and West Africa.
Technical Focus
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
Under the direct supervision of the FAO-RAF Senior Animal Production and Health Officer and the overall administrative supervision of the FAO Regional Office for Africa, the Project Coordinator will provide technical leadership and coordination to project implementation for timely delivery and quality results. The incumbent will carry out the following tasks:
1. Project work planning
- Maintain a dashboard of SCOPE project partners and ensure updated communication and coordination aligned with FAO mandates, rules and regulations.
- Coordinate and facilitate the development of detailed annual work plans for the SCOPE project in collaboration with AU-IBAR, other Implementing Entities, delivery partners and other key stakeholders, and submit them for clearance.
- Prepare project procurement, travel and recruitment plans and submit them for clearance.
- Formulate and facilitate the signing of contracts related to project implementation in line with FAO rules and regulations.
- Review and support implementing partners in developing specifications and Terms of Reference for goods and services contracts, and supervise consultants, partners and service providers involved in project delivery.
2. Project implementation monitoring and reporting
- Ensure sound implementation modalities, including OPIM, LoAs or other appropriate instruments for delivery by implementing partners.
- Coordinate and supervise implementation of contracted project activities to ensure coordinated delivery of results.
- Ensure implementation follows the logframe and M&E framework, meets milestones on time and responds effectively to issues affecting progress.
- 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.
- Monitor partner contract performance and recommend corrective measures where needed.
- Serve as Secretary to the FAO component of the SCOPE Project Taskforce, organize meetings and maintain records of proceedings.
- Coordinate and collaborate with Implementing Entities and implementing partners to ensure timely incorporation of results into the project’s Results, Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks.
3. Coordination, collaboration and synergy building
- Lead and participate in all coordination meetings of the project, including those involving the Pandemic Fund Secretariat, FAO NSAH-CJW and implementing partners.
- Liaise and coordinate with other Pandemic Fund projects in the selected countries to improve efficiency and avoid duplication.
- Build effective and innovative synergies with SCOPE Implementing Entities and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated implementation through the One Health approach.
4. Leadership
- Provide technical leadership to ensure timely achievement of targets, milestones and quality results.
- Manage and supervise the human, material and financial resources allocated to the FAO component of the SCOPE project.
- 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.
5. 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 in the selected countries.
- Perform any other related duties 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, Wildlife, One Health, Epidemiology, Biomedical Sciences, or another relevant discipline. Consultants with a bachelor’s degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience.
- At least five years of professional experience in managing complex, cross-functional projects involving multiple stakeholders, preferably within a 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
- Intermediate knowledge (Level B) of French is considered an asset.
- 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.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Familiarity with drafting project procurement plans.
- Demonstrated track record of strategic planning and leading project implementation in livestock, agriculture, public health, wildlife, community engagement and/or environment-related sectors.
- Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
- Prior experience in developing monitoring and evaluation plans.
- Familiarity with FAO’s work, especially in Africa and within the UN system, is considered an asset.
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO’s 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.
