Job Description

2601967

National Project Coordinator

Job Posting

: 18/Sep/2026

Closure Date

: 02/Oct/2026, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: FANEP - FAO Representation in Nepal

Job Type

: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: NPP (National Project Personnel)

Grade Level: N/A

Primary Location

: Nepal-Kathmandu

Duration: 6 months with a possibility of further extension

Post Number: N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal deviceFAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and cultureQualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to applyEveryone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's valuesFAO, 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 checksAll applications will be treated with the strictest confidentialityFAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational SettingFAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:

(i) advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;

(ii) provide technical assistance and deliver core services;

(iii) assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;

(iv) Position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation;

(v) ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management. Nepal’s agrifood systems continue to face significant challenges, including low agricultural productivity, weak commercialization, climate vulnerability, food and nutrition insecurity, limited access to safe drinking water, and inadequate operation and maintenance systems. These constraints disproportionately affect smallholder farmers, women, and rural communities, limiting livelihood opportunities and contributing to youth outmigration.To address these challenges, FAO Nepal, at the request of the Government of Nepal, is implementing the project “Strengthening Agrifood Systems in Nepal” (GCP/NEP/094/CPR) under the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund supported by the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA). The 24-month project, with a budget of USD 2.49 million, supports agrifood systems transformation in Kavre and Ilam districts through interventions on governance, production, nutrition, enterprise development, water systems, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.In parallel, FAO Nepal is implementing the UN Joint Programme “Innovative Financial Solutions for Local Food Systems Transformation in Nepal” (UNJP/NEP/091/UNJ), funded by the Joint SDG Fund and jointly implemented with UNDP, WFP, and UNCDF. Under this programme, FAO leads the development of innovative financing solutions, including blended finance, public-private partnerships (PPPs), investment pipeline development, and support to women-led agribusinesses and cooperatives in Panchkhal Municipality.Given the strong complementarities between the CIDCA-supported project and the Joint SDG Fund programme, particularly in Panchkhal Municipality, coordinated implementation is essential to maximize synergies, strengthen stakeholder engagement, avoid duplication, and enhance the sustainability and impact of project investments.To support effective implementation, FAO Nepal seeks a National Project Coordinator.

Reporting LinesThe National Project Coordinator will be under the overall supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Programme), and the direct supervision of the Programme Manager and relevant FAO technical officers.

Technical FocusThe National Project Coordinator will provide overall technical, programmatic, and operational leadership for the implementation of the projects “Strengthening Agrifood Systems in Nepal” (GCP/NEP/094/CPR) and “Innovative Financial Solutions for Local Food Systems Transformation in Nepal” (UNJP/NEP/091/UNJ), with a focus on project planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, reporting, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, innovative financing mechanisms, agrifood systems transformation, and results-based management, while promoting gender equality, social inclusion, climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and effective collaboration with government institutions, UN agencies, financial institutions, private-sector partners, cooperatives, and community organizations.

Tasks and responsibilities• Prepare and regularly update the detailed implementation plan, annual work plan and budget inputs, procurement and HR schedules, risk register, stakeholder engagement plan and monitoring calendar.

• Coordinate implementation across the four target municipalities and ensure coherence among governance, production, nutrition, enterprise, water, inclusion and environmental workstreams.
• Prepare and maintain a joint implementation and synergy matrix for activities undertaken under GCP/NEP/094/CPR and UNJP/NEP/091/UNJ in Panchkhal Municipality, clearly identifying complementary interventions, responsible parties, delivery schedules, beneficiaries, service providers, financing sources, risks and expected results.
• Take primary responsibility for the day-to-day coordination and implementation of FAO’s component of the Joint SDG Fund project UNJP/NEP/091/UNJ including coordination with participating UN organizations, Panchkhal Municipality, government counterparts, financial institutions, private-sector partners, women-led enterprises, cooperatives and service providers, oversee the timely delivery of PPP and blended-finance activities; monitor workplans, budgets, risks, results and contractual deliverables and ensure compliance with the project document, FAO procedures and Joint SDG Fund reporting requirements.
• Serve as the principal operational focal point for municipal technical experts, FAO technical officers, government counterparts, Agriculture Knowledge Centers, NARC, service providers, cooperatives and community organizations.
• Translate the project document and approved workplans into clear assignments, timelines, responsibilities and quality standards; track progress and promptly escalate bottlenecks and corrective actions.
• Guide inception, baseline and agrifood-system assessment processes, including priority commodity/value-chain analysis, stakeholder mapping and target-group validation.
• Coordinate design and delivery of capacity development on food-system governance, cooperative performance, financial management, gender and social inclusion, agricultural policy, enterprise development, digital extension, climate-smart agriculture, nutrition and food safety.
• Oversee transparent beneficiary identification and ensure agreed targeting of women, youth, vulnerable households, farmer groups, cooperatives and enterprises.
• Coordinate technical specifications, site readiness, distribution, installation, use and post-distribution monitoring for project-supported inputs, irrigation, machinery, solar dehydration/storage, water purification and sanitation facilities.
• Ensure environmental and social safeguards, occupational safety, quality assurance, handover, ownership and operation-and-maintenance arrangements are integrated into infrastructure and equipment support.
• Establish and maintain a results-monitoring system with disaggregated data, geotagged evidence, activity records, training databases, asset registers and outcome-level documentation.
• Lead preparation of inception, monthly, quarterly, annual, donor and final reports; consolidate municipal inputs and produce management briefs, presentations, meeting records, case studies and lessons learned.
• Support the Project Steering Committee, Project Task Force and other coordination mechanisms, including agendas, documentation, follow-up matrices and implementation of decisions.
• Monitor contracts, Letters of Agreement and procurement-linked services from a programme perspective; verify technical deliverables and provide timely inputs for acceptance and payment processing.
• Identify implementation, fiduciary, operational, climate, social and reputational risks and coordinate mitigation measures with responsible parties.
• Support visibility, knowledge management and South-South cooperation activities while ensuring corporate clearance and appropriate acknowledgement of partners and funding sources.
• Maintain complete, accurate and auditable records of activities, beneficiaries, assets, consultations, monitoring evidence and deliverables.
• Ensure informed consent, confidentiality, responsible data management and do-no-harm principles when working with communities and collecting data.
• Undertake field travel and perform other related duties within the scope of the assignment, as required by FAO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWINGMinimum Requirements • University degree (Bachelor's or higher) in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Development Studies, Economics, Natural Resource Management, Public Policy, Project Management, or a closely related field.

• At least five years of progressive professional experience in implementation, coordination and management of agriculture, agrifood systems, rural development, climate resilience, natural resource management or development programmes.
• Working knowledge of English (level C)
• National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal or resident of the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies• Results Focus

• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and project monitoring and reporting tools.

• Proven experience working with government agencies, local governments, development partners, UN agencies, civil society organizations, private-sector actors, financial institutions, cooperatives and community-based organizations.
• Strong understanding of agrifood systems, agricultural value chains, food security, nutrition, climate-smart agriculture, rural livelihoods and sustainable local development.
• Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives, capacity development activities and service providers, and overseeing project implementation at subnational and community levels.
• Experience preparing work plans, budgets, donor reports, progress reports, presentations, knowledge products and programme documentation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, facilitation, problem-solving and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience working with international organizations and familiarity with FAO or UN operational procedures would be an asset.

Selection Criteria• Strong experience in team leadership, coordination, and stakeholder engagement with government and development partners.

• Proven ability in project planning, budgeting, procurement, and compliance with donor requirements.
• Strong skills in monitoring, reporting, and managing technical deliverables.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure and deliver results.
• Experience working with UN agencies is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, reporting and coordination of donor-funded projects.
• Knowledge of Chinese would be an advantage, particularly for communication and collaboration with Chinese counterparts and technical experts involved in the CIDCA-supported project.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONFAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)Applications received after the closing date will not be acceptedPlease 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/ For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/ Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions. 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/cspFAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT