Project Coordinator (AU-CDC HARMONIZE)

Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Duration: 11 months

Deadline: 15 May 2026, 11:59:00 PM

Job Description

• 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

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 through FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022-31 by supporting transformations to a more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for a Better production, Better nutrition, 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 (PWA) under the regional thematic priority, Sustainable agrifood production systems, which corresponds to the Better production of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31.

The RAF leads FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with Offices, centres and divisions at the headquarter, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities. In its programme delivery, in addition to the achievements of the 2030 SDG agenda, RAF supports FAO’s work in Member countries, develops and maintains strategic partnerships with regional organizations, and supports countries in developing strategies, policies, regulatory frameworks regional and country policy dialogues that sustain efficient and inclusive agricultural and food systems. FAO RAF also facilitates partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders, including development partners, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

FAO RAF is the designated Office overseeing the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (AU-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 Implementation and Coordination Modalities

As a financial intermediary, FAO-RAF will use the project fund pass-through modality and ensure its implementation through the AU-CDC the project beneficiary as well as a delivery partners, following the FAO administrative and financial rules. The project will engage with a range of other delivery partners as well. It aims to strengthen pandemic prevention, detection, and response capacities in the African continent by delivering locally driven solutions, standardizing approaches, and promoting cross-border and multisectoral collaboration, while leveraging Africa CDC’s convening mandate to harmonize systems, networks, and capacities, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings, towards resilient, efficient, and community-centered public health systems across the continent..

Reporting Lines

The Project Coordinator will report to the Senior Animal Production and Health Officer for the FAO Regional Officer in Africa and the Budget Holder of the project. S/he will be implementing the project in close collaboration with AU-CDC, other PF Implementing Entities (AfDB & UNICEF) and delivery partners, the HQ and RAF regional Pandemic fund Project Team as well as the Sub-regional Animal Production and Health Officers for the FAO Sub-regional offices in Central, East, West and Southern African regions.

Technical Focus

The Project Coordinator will provide technical leadership and coordination to the project implementation for timely delivery with quality results. Partnership, Coordination and communication, Leadership to multisectoral team; Project cycle management; Disease surveillance, diagnostics, preparedness and response; One Health in agrifood system; Monitoring and evaluation; Community-based approach; 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 maintained updated communication and coordination responding to partners call, aligning FAO’s mandates, rules and regulations.
•    Coordinate and facilitate the development of the detailed HARMONIZE project annual work plans relevant to FAO`s work in collaboration with AU-CDC and other IEs, Delivery Partners, and other relevant key stakeholders and submit to the LTO and Budget Holder’s nominee for clearance.
•    Prepare HARMONIZE project procurement, travel, and recruitment plans and submit them to the LTO and Budget Holder’s nominee for clearance in alignment with FAO’s rules and regulations.
•    Formulate/ facilitate the signing of any contracts related to the project implementation with implementing partners.
•    Review and support IPs in developing specifications, ToRs for goods and services contracts required by the project and supervise activities of consultants, IPs and companies that would provide the goods and services.

Project implementation monitoring and reporting

•    Make necessary arrangements to ensure a sound implementation of the project using adequate implementation modalities including Operational Partners Implementation Modality (OPIM), Letters of Agreement (LoA) or other appropriate instrument as required to ensure implementation by the Implementing Partners.
•    Coordinate and supervise implementation of the project activities contracted to IPs to ensure coordinated attainment of project results.
•    Assure that the project implementation follows the log-frame and the M&E framework, meet the project milestones in time and response quickly and effectively should any actions be required to keep the project implementation on track.
•    Make sure that the IPs submit the results in time and use them to prepare and submit the Quarterly, half-yearly and annual reports to FAO and to the Pandemic Fund Secretariat.
•    Monitor the implementation of planned HARMONIZE project activities on a day-to-day basis and provide weekly, monthly and six-monthly updates to the LTO and to the RAF Pandemic Fund team as required.
•    Monitor IPs’ contract performance regularly and give feedback to the LTO including recommended corrective measures where necessary.
•    Be the Secretary to the FAO component of the HARMONIZE project Taskforce (PTF), conduct PTF meetings twice a year and when advised by the LTO, and prepare and keep records of the PTF meeting proceedings.
•    Coordinate/collaborate with IEs and IPs, making sure that the project results are received timely and incorporated into the Result, Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks of the project.

Coordination/collaboration and synergy building

•    Lead and participate in all coordination meetings of the projects including the Pandemic Fund Secretariat, RAF Pandemic Fund Coordination meetings, FAO NSAH-CJW and the IPs.
•    Liaise and coordinate with other pandemic fund projects being implemented in the beneficiary countries for more efficient use of the project resources and avoid potential duplications.
•    Collaborate and build effective and innovative synergies with other HARMONIZE IEs and stakeholders to ensure coordinated implementation of project activities and attainment of project results using the One Health approach.

Leadership

•    Provide technical leadership to the project implementation and ensure timely accomplishment of the set targets and milestones and eventual achievement of the quality results in time.
•    Manage/supervise material and financial resources and affiliate workforce of the appropriate category allocated to the FAO component of HARMONIZE project for efficient and timely deployment and utilization.
•    Identify and act on constraints and issues if any that need timely resolutions and corrective actions.
•    Ensure that Project activities are implemented and managed as per the FAO and Pandemic Fund guidelines and procedures.
•    Identify and escalate critical issues related to HARMONIZE project implementation such as delays, gaps, risks, and major changes to the attention of the LTO to initiate actions for timely resolution.

Other
•    Assist the Senior Animal Production and Health Officer in resource mobilization and project formulation to ensure the sustainability of the project results in the selected countries and potential scaling up.
•    Perform any other related duties as may be required by the LTO 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 International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in in Agriculture, Veterinary medicine, animal science, One Health, Epidemiology, biomedical sciences or any other relevant disciplines. Consultants with a bachelor’s degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•    At least 5 years of professional experience in the management of multisectoral, multicounty projects under the 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 the planning and management of projects related to animal health, wildlife, community development and One Health in the Agrifood systems.
•    Demonstrated ability to write technical and communication documents in both English and French.
•    Intermediate (Level B) of French is considered an asset.
•    Familiarity in drafting procurement plans.
•    Familiarity with FAO’s work, especially in the African region and UN agencies will be considered as an asset.
•    Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
•    Demonstrated track record of successfully strategic planning and leading project implementation in livestock, agriculture, public health, community engagements and/or the environment 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 and Integrity and Transparency

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.