National Socio-Economic Specialist

Organizational Context

The FAO Representation in Armenia is executing a Green Climate Fund project focused on forest resilience, adaptation, and rural growth. This USD 18.7 million initiative, co-financed by multiple partners, aims to transition Armenia towards a low-emission, sustainable development pathway. Key interventions include reducing firewood demand through energy-efficiency investments in households, increasing forest cover via reforestation and agroforestry, and enhancing forest governance. The project will provide 9,000 improved wood stoves to vulnerable households in Syunik and Lori marzes.

Job Purpose

The National Socio-Economic Specialist will ensure the effective technical implementation of the energy efficiency component for the "Forest Resilience of Armenia" project in Lori and Syunik Marzes. This role involves close collaboration with private sector producers, local authorities, and project beneficiaries. A primary responsibility will be to support the identification of 9,000 beneficiaries for wood stove distribution, adhering strictly to the criteria outlined in the project document. The specialist will contribute to achieving the project's goals of reducing forest degradation drivers and promoting sustainable rural development through targeted interventions.

Responsibilities

The specialist will operationalize beneficiary eligibility, prioritization, and vulnerability criteria, coordinating with ARMSTAT and relevant government agencies to analyze socio-economic data. They will develop and implement a transparent beneficiary selection methodology, ensuring gender-responsive targeting, with specific attention to single women-headed households and removing barriers to women's participation. Responsibilities include designing and overseeing beneficiary outreach and consultation processes, assessing household categorization for differentiated support, and recommending appropriate co-financing mechanisms. The role involves supporting the development of data collection tools, registration forms, and databases, establishing transparent validation processes, and preparing selection reports. The specialist will also contribute to monitoring frameworks for social outcomes and provide technical guidance for grievance resolution.

Work Experience

A minimum of 10 years of professional experience is required in areas such as socio-economic assessments, household and poverty analysis, social protection, rural development, or community-based development projects. Experience in designing and implementing beneficiary targeting and selection methodologies for development projects, grant schemes, or social assistance interventions is crucial. Proven experience working with vulnerable populations, including low-income households and women-headed households, is also necessary.

Skills

The role requires a strong understanding of poverty targeting, vulnerability assessment, and social protection systems, with knowledge of Armenia's socio-economic context being highly desirable. Essential skills include strong analytical and quantitative abilities, proficiency in Armenian and English (written and spoken), and excellent organizational and coordination skills. The candidate must possess good interpersonal and communication skills for effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including government institutions, the private sector, and civil society. Experience in developing beneficiary databases, data collection tools, and grievance redress mechanisms is important. Familiarity with donor-funded projects and Armenia's rural context is advantageous.

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