GEF Projects Sub-Regional Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The FAO Sub-Regional office for West Africa (SFW) responsible for developing, promoting and implementing FAO agreed strategies to help countries and sub-regional organizations address food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development priorities in West Africa. The Office has a multidisciplinary team of technical experts, in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, land and water, and pastoralism, who provide technical support to the 15 member countries of ECOWAS in their fight against poverty and the promotion of food and nutritional security; as well as to a wider 17 member countries of the Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) in strengthening the resilience of the Sahel countries.

There is growing international recognition that the agricultural sectors (including crops, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture and livestock) play a central role in responding to climate change, as these sectors are among the foremost priorities in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by African countries under the UNFCCC. In this regard, SFW Strategy has as one of its priority areas “Sustainable Management of the Environment and Natural Resources (SMENR)” that intends to support countries address issues related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, the preservation of biodiversity, and the collection, management and sharing on the environment and natural resources data in the sub-region.

SFW is increasingly receiving requests from countries in West Africa for providing technical support in the development of concept notes and project proposals to key environmental donors (GFF and GEF and Adaptation Fund) as well as their implementation. As an accredited agency to the GEF, GCF and Adaptation Fund, FAO intends to expand its portfolio to assist countries in fulfilling their ambitions on climate action, notably, with UNFCCC, as well as the NDCs in the Paris Agreement.

GEF will shortly be the main donors of countries in the West Africa Sub-Region, in terms of climate actions. The portfolio of SFW comprises more than 60 projects funded by GEF. To succeed in the engagement with countries and the Secretariat of GEF, the FAO intends to strengthen its climate team at SFW

FAO Climate Team and Call purpose

The purpose of this call is to provide FAO’s Sub-Regional Office for West Africa and its country offices with qualified GEF Projects Coordinator to be part of multidisciplinary climate team, to enhance FAO’s support to the design and implementation of climate related projects in the sub-region, with a particular focus on GEF.

The recruited GEF Projects Coordinator will be based at SFW office (Dakar, Senegal).

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Sub regional coordinator, and direct supervision of the Operations Officer, the GEF Project Coordinator will work closely with the technical team of GEF projects (mainly LTOs and country / subregional Project Managers / Focal Points).

Technical Focus

Lead the coordination of GEF and GCF multi-country projects and support the project management units and / or projects Managers at country level for a timely and quality delivery of the projects.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee the execution of project activities according to approved project documents and work plans.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure alignment with project objectives and timelines.
• Ensure the preparation, monitoring and updating of plans for GEF Projects, with particular emphasis on budget management and work plan, as well as application of corporate recommended tools such as procurement plan, Human Resources Plan, Travel Plan to strengthen the administration of GEF and GCP projects. Accordingly, he or she will maintain updated records of HR monitoring tables against the various GCP and GEF projects. This includes the list of consultants per project for effective HR monitoring and budgeting,
• Ensure the Logical Framework Matrix (LFM) for each project is complete and up-to-date, and that relevant data is collected for regular monitoring of GEF and GCP project results and provide reports to and receive guidance from governance mechanisms in close collaboration with LTO and country officers.
• Maintain positive working relationships with stakeholders, including administrative teams.
• Support the communication team in producing communication and visibility of the GEF and GCF projects, in line with project plans.
• Ensure all reports are prepared and submitted and when applicable
• Ensure all deliverables are completed, project documentation is in order, evaluation is supported as needed, and preparations for project closure are set up.
• Identify, mitigate and manage potential risks, report and escalate issues when necessary.
• Provide any assistance that may be required in the framework of the GCP and GEF projects

Candidates will be assessed against the following

Minimum Requirements

FAO Core Competencies

Selection Criteria

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

Closing date : 8 Juillet 2025.