National Planning and Implementation Specialist - Shrimp Value Chain & Partnerships

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing project TCP/GUY/4101 to enhance Guyana's shrimp aquaculture production capacity via improved hatchery capabilities. This initiative, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Department, aligns with FAO's Strategic Framework, focusing on Blue Transformation, sustainable agriculture innovation, and gender equality. The role is crucial for ensuring effective, results-based project implementation, strengthening coordination, operational delivery, and fostering partnerships across the shrimp aquaculture value chain for sustainable sector development.

Job Purpose

This role supports the operationalization of the shrimp hatchery at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, through coordinated planning and implementation. It requires close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, national agencies, international experts, and private sector actors. The primary goal is to ensure the timely delivery of project outputs and establish an enabling environment conducive to the sustainable development of the shrimp aquaculture sector in Guyana. The specialist will contribute to strengthening partnerships and enhancing value chain integration for long-term sector sustainability and competitiveness.

Responsibilities

The specialist will prepare work plans and budgets, and oversee day-to-day project activity implementation according to the approved project document. Key duties include supporting coordination among project partners (FAO, Ministry of Agriculture), assisting with monitoring and evaluation, and managing risk identification and mitigation. The role involves facilitating alignment between technical, operational, and financial project components, and supporting the planning and follow-up of meetings, missions, trainings, and workshops. Progress monitoring against outputs and timelines, identification of constraints, and corrective actions in line with FAO's Results-Based Management (RBM) principles are essential. The specialist will contribute to progress reports, facilitate administrative and operational processes, support knowledge management, and promote gender equality and inclusion in project activities. Coordination of value chain activities, stakeholder engagement, analysis of value chain constraints and opportunities, and support for public-private dialogue are also key responsibilities. The role includes drafting the Terminal Report and potentially supporting other related projects.

Work Experience

A minimum of three years of relevant experience in project planning, implementation, and coordination, preferably within fisheries, aquaculture, or agricultural development projects, is required. Experience in managing fisheries or aquaculture development is strongly desirable but not mandatory.

Skills

Essential skills include results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing. The candidate should have experience coordinating projects with government counterparts and multiple stakeholders, strong organizational, coordination, and reporting abilities, and the capacity to work independently and meet deadlines in a results-based environment. Familiarity with UN or FAO project implementation procedures is an asset. Demonstrated experience in value chain development or market systems approaches, experience facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue (including public-private partnerships), and strong analytical and problem-solving skills are also important. Knowledge of the national fisheries and aquaculture context in Guyana is an advantage.

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