Senior Program Management Specialist

Organizational Context

The FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Côte d’Ivoire operates under FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022–2031, guided by the 'Four Betters' principles. It supports national efforts in agrifood systems transformation, climate resilience, biodiversity, food security, and sustainable development. The office manages a portfolio of projects funded by the Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility, and other donors, focusing on areas like agroforestry, land restoration, and aquaculture. The strategic positioning of the office is enhanced by the relocation of the GCF regional hub to Abidjan and growing engagement with development partners.

Job Purpose

The Senior Program Management Specialist will provide high-level strategic, technical, and managerial support to the FAO Representative and Management Team in Côte d’Ivoire. This role is crucial for enhancing the coordination, implementation, and oversight of the country office's project portfolio. The specialist will act as an autonomous senior advisor, focusing on strengthening program coherence, improving management decision-making, fostering partner engagement, optimizing donor positioning, managing risks, monitoring performance, and identifying opportunities for project scale-up and financing across all ongoing and pipeline projects.

Responsibilities

Provide senior strategic advice to the FAO Representative on portfolio coherence, programme positioning, and alignment with national priorities and donor commitments. Lead coordination and management follow-up across all projects using harmonized tools and regular reviews. Offer senior technical and managerial support for key projects, including work planning, delivery review, and sustainability. Promote operational synergies among projects focused on climate resilience, agroforestry, biodiversity, and food systems. Lead analysis of climate finance and donor intelligence to support resource mobilization and pipeline development. Engage strategically with government, donors, UN agencies, IFIs, and private sector actors. Represent FAO in technical and strategic discussions and facilitate coordination with FAO regional and headquarters teams. Ensure quality assurance of project documents, reports, and agreements. Strengthen results-based management, monitoring, and reporting systems. Coach project managers and technical teams, developing tools and materials for institutional learning and partner dialogue.

Work Experience

At least 10 years of progressively senior international experience in program/portfolio management, strategic advisory services, resource mobilization, donor relations, climate finance, agrifood systems, or emergency/development coordination. Experience in developing countries and advising government and non-government stakeholders is also valuable.

Skills

Strong knowledge of climate finance mechanisms, GCF/GEF programming, results-based management, risk management, and project cycle management. Excellent analytical, drafting, facilitation, and representation skills. Ability to operate autonomously and deliver high-quality outputs under tight timelines. Demonstrated experience with FAO, UN system, international financial institutions, or major development partners. Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder programs and preparing donor-facing analytical products. Experience with vertical funds and donor-funded project design, monitoring, implementation, and reporting. Capacity building experience. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with proficiency in French and English.

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