National Project Development Specialist

Smallholder farmers in Viet Nam, particularly those involved in cocoa and coffee production, face significant challenges in achieving sustainable and resilient livelihoods. Deforestation, driven by increasing demand for agricultural land and other factors, poses a major threat to both biodiversity and climate stability. Moreover, smallholders often lack access to markets, technology, and financial resources necessary to improve their productivity and incomes.

To address these challenges, FAO has been implementing the Forest and Farm Facility Program (FFF) in Viet Nam, focusing on supporting forest and farm producer organizations (FFPOs) in sustainable land management, value chain development, and climate resilience. The Flexible Voluntary Contributions (FVC) Standard Sub-programme offers additional resources and opportunities to expand and deepen the impact of FAO’s work in Viet Nam. The FVC Standard Sub-programme is a funding mechanism established by FAO to support its work in various countries. This sub-programme offers flexibility in terms of project design and implementation, allowing for rapid responses to emerging needs and opportunities.

Under the overall supervision by the FAO Representative, technical supervision by the Forestry Officer, Forestry Division in FAO Rome, day-to-day management by Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and in collaboration with the Project Coordinator at FAO in Vietnam and the international consultant for the project. The incumbent will work to ensure the timely implementation of the project and timely providing all relevant deliverables of the project.  

The National Development Specialist will support project development and foster collaboration between the executing partner, other key stakeholders, and relevant government entities

Responsibilities:

• Draft the project’s expected outcomes, activities, and outputs.
• Ensure that the project proposal is developed in full compliance with Decree 114/2021/ND-CP on management and use of ODA and concessional loans of foreign donors in Viet Nam. This includes verifying eligibility, ensuring procurement compliance, adhering to financial management guidelines, developing a compliant monitoring and evaluation plan, and involving appropriate stakeholder participation.
• Contribute to the project design process and ensure that all deliverables are completed on time and to a high standard, ensuring its alignment with FAO policies, stakeholder expectations, and the specific objectives of the FFF and FVC programs.
• Develop overall workplan and deliverables to ensure that results are professional and positively contribute to the completion of the final Project Document, and other supporting materials.
• Serve as primary author and provide overall conceptual guidance to project design; including finalizing theory of change, results framework, institutional arrangements and project budget. Review and assemble all team member reports.
• Liaise with existing FFF program, and make sure lessons from FFF and FVC are included in project design as well as synergies between the two projects under design.
• Support FAO in identifying potential co-financiers as well as in securing co-financing commitments; and
• Carry out other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as requested by FAO.
• Undertake mission(s) as needed to target country/site.

Minimum Requirements   :

• Advanced degree in environmental science, natural resource management, development studies, or a related field
• 10 years of proven experience in project development and management, particularly in the context of sustainable agriculture and forestry
• Working knowledge of English and the local language
• National of Viet Nam

Technical/Functional Skills:

• Prior experience in working on projects on the phytosanitary topic is an asset
• Previous successful involvement in policy/ strategy review is an asset.
• Strong understanding of FAO policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Experience in working with smallholder farmers and rural communities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with stakeholders at various levels.
• Experience working in developing countries, preferably in the target region.

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