Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) leads FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of priority programme activities. REU ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, supports policy dialogue, strengthens regional partnerships, and oversees the implementation and monitoring of FAO programmes and projects in Europe and Central Asia.

The position is linked to the project “Enhancing Competitiveness and Sustainability Across Kosovo’s Dairy Value Chain” funded by Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), implemented by FAO in Kosovo in partnership with the Kosovo Association of Milk Producers (KAMP).

The project aims to strengthen dairy production capacity, improve sector development and market integration, reinforce producer organization capacity, and will be implemented according to good practices for effective project management and monitoring. The project design places strong emphasis on resilience, milk quality upgrading, income generation for producers and sustainability of milk collection.

Within this framework, the Project Coordinator will support FAO Kosovo and REU technical teams in the effective coordination, implementation and monitoring of project activities, in close collaboration with national stakeholders and partners.

Reporting Lines

The Project Coordinator will operate under the overall guidance of the Regional Programme Leader and the direct supervision of the FAO Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and will closely cooperate with the technical and operational teams.

Technical Focus

The Project Coordinator will support effective coordination of project implementation through close collaboration with FAO Kosovo, REU technical units, the Kosovo Association of Milk Producers (KAMP), national institutions and other stakeholders. The assignment requires close engagement with project partners and beneficiaries to ensure coherent implementation of activities, timely delivery of outputs, and effective flow of information between FAO technical teams and local stakeholders.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the timely implementation of the project in close liaison with the Kosovo Association of Milk Producers (KAMP), relevant local institutions and stakeholders;
• Be responsible for the regular review, update and monitoring of progress of project activities in line with project results framework, workplan, milestones indicators and agreed deliverables in close consultation with KAMP project manager;
• Lead the organization and follow‑up of regular project coordination meetings with FAO relevant personnel, KAMP’s Project Manager, other project partners and key stakeholders;
• Support and coordinate the selection and engagement of project beneficiaries, in close coordination with KAMP’s Project Manager ensuring transparency and communication with relevant stakeholders in full compliance with FAO’s rules and procedures;
• Draft terms of references for local consultants and service providers, in consultation with KAMP’s Project Manager, when relevant, including tasks, responsibilities and reporting lines, for review and clearance by the responsible FAO officers;
• Be responsible for the establishment of reporting deadlines and review of technical deliverables prepared by local consultants in consultation with KAMP’s Project Manager, submitting them for technical clearance by FAO LTO and relevant officers;
• Be responsible to coordinate with KAMP project manager the implementation of project activities in target areas, maintaining regular engagement with beneficiaries and local stakeholders to identify needs, gaps and implementation challenges;
• In close collaboration with KAMP project Manager, the local authorities and the designated implementing partners, monitor the organisation and implementation of the training activities at all levels and in accordance with the workplan.
• Be responsible for the preparation of an annual, other progress reports and a terminal report required by the donor, in consultation with KAMP’s Project Manager, FAO’s Lead Technical Officer and in close coordination with FAO Kosovo and REU technical colleagues;
• Provide support to the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and Budget Holder backstopping missions and consultants visiting the project sites;
• Proactively identify, flag and contribute to resolving operational and implementation issues related to project activities;
• Contribute to communication and information dissemination materials and outreach on the activities and results of the project
• Provide additional support tasks within the scope of the assignment, as necessary, to ensure the successful achievement of project outputs and outcomes.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture, agribusiness, veterinary, rural development, agricultural economics, dairy or food science, project management, or a related field.
• At least five years of relevant working experience in agriculture‑related projects, value chain development, rural development, or project management;
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.
• National of Kosovo

FAO Core Competencies

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION