National Operations Specialist (SURAGGWA Project)

ORGANIZATION AND PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations supports governments to improve food security, reduce hunger and malnutrition and develop sustainable agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forestry and natural-resource systems. FAO Nigeria’s portfolio covers crop production, livestock, fisheries, natural-resource management and food-security information and analysis. This position supports the Scaling-Up Resilience in Africa’s Great Green Wall (SURAGGWA) Project.

ROLE PURPOSE

The National Operations Specialist will provide operational and coordination support for the SURAGGWA Project, ensuring effective planning, implementation and monitoring. The specialist will use knowledge of local institutions, administrative processes, stakeholder dynamics, cultural contexts and languages to facilitate collaboration with government, communities and implementing partners while ensuring compliance with FAO procedures and timely delivery of project results.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Liaise with government authorities, local, national and international institutions and United Nations agencies.
• Represent FAO at inter-agency meetings when required.
• Promote FAO’s mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities through advocacy and communications support.
• Coordinate collection, consolidation and maintenance of country data covering food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries.
• Monitor national-policy developments affecting the agricultural sector.
• Contribute to technical, economic and policy studies and country-level frameworks, including the Country Programming Framework and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
• Support identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals.
• Monitor project implementation against approved workplans and project documents.
• Identify delays or inconsistencies and propose corrective measures.
• Brief, train and supervise junior staff and promote compliance, accuracy and diligence.
• Monitor SURAGGWA activities, budgets and compliance with FAO and United Nations requirements.
• Support strategic planning and implementation to strengthen community resilience in Nigeria.
• Retrieve, enter, verify, select and analyse information from FAO corporate systems and databases.
• Support day-to-day project-cycle management, including identification, formulation, appraisal, approval, implementation, monitoring, reporting and closure.
• Monitor budgets, support Field Budget Authorizations, reconcile expenditure information and contribute to financial and operational reports.
• Examine and process payments, reimbursements and disbursements.
• Support preparation and financial monitoring of Letters of Agreement.
• Participate in field missions and monitoring or impact-assessment activities.
• Liaise with national and subnational government and relevant partners concerning policy gaps affecting fisheries and aquaculture.
• Prepare technical content for working papers, advocacy products, web pages, articles, invitations, workshops, conferences and outreach events.
• Work with technical experts to develop or update quantitative and qualitative implementation tools.
• Perform other relevant duties assigned by FAO.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced university degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting or another field related to FAO’s work.
• At least three years of relevant experience in agricultural development or project implementation in an area of FAO activity in Nigeria.
• Working knowledge at Level C of English and Hausa.
• Applicant must be a national of Nigeria.
• Field experience in more than one location or area of work is desirable.
• Relevant experience in programme or project development and management.
• Experience with operational guidelines and programme-management procedures, preferably those used by the United Nations or FAO.
• Experience in food and nutrition security, agriculture or rural-development policy analysis.
• Experience collecting and managing country data concerning food, crops, livestock, forestry or fisheries.
• Experience identifying, formulating, implementing, monitoring and reviewing programmes or projects.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Results focus.
• Teamwork and communication.
• Building effective relationships.
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Project-cycle management and operational coordination.
• Budget monitoring, expenditure reconciliation and reporting.
• Government, community and partner engagement.
• Data collection, verification and analysis.
• Policy analysis and proposal development.
• Ability to work across field locations.

CONTRACT DETAILS

• Opportunity type: Non-staff opportunity.
• Requisition type: National Project Personnel.
• Duty station: Kano, Nigeria.
• Duration: Twelve months.
• FAO requisition number: 2601685.
• Posting date: 7 August 2026.
• Grade level: Not specified.
• Salary and benefits: Not specified.
• Number of positions: Not specified.

SAFEGUARDING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

FAO promotes workforce diversity and encourages qualified female applicants, nationals of underrepresented member countries and persons with disabilities. FAO maintains zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. Selected candidates undergo reference and background checks. Appointment is subject to medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements where applicable and security clearance. FAO does not charge recruitment fees.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Applicants must apply through FAO’s official recruitment portal before 21 August 2026 at 10:59 PM, as displayed on the vacancy page. Applicants should complete an accurate online profile covering employment history, academic qualifications and languages and attach a letter of motivation. Only applications submitted through FAO’s official portal will be considered. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.