Organizational Setting

The project “The Project for Strengthening Resilience of Inland Fisheries Affected by the Cyclone” (OSRO/SRL/090/JPN) is implemented by FAO in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and NAQDA. It aims to restore the income and livelihoods of inland fishers affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts.

The project will support reservoir restocking, installation of rearing cages and barrier nets, provision of fish breeding hormones for hatchery operations, and capacity building of fishers and community-based fisheries organizations to strengthen resilient and sustainable inland fisheries systems.

Reporting Lines

The Project Coordinator will report directly to the AFAOR (Programme) and work under the technical supervision of the Project Management Specialist.

Technical Focus

The selected Project Coordinator for the assigned duty station will provide day-to-day technical and operational support for the activities implemented under the “Strengthening Resilience of Inland Fisheries Affected by the Cyclone” (OSRO/SRL/090/JPN) project in collaboration with NAQDA, relevant government institutions, and project stakeholders.

Further, he/she will support the implementation and monitoring of fisheries and aquaculture activities, including reservoir restocking, installation of rearing cages and barrier nets, hatchery-related activities including fish breeding hormone utilization, and capacity-building interventions for fishers and community-based fisheries organizations. The position will require close coordination with NAQDA divisional and district-level officials, contractors, service providers, and community-level stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of project activities.

Also, the selected individual should have the ability to achieve planned targets, coordinate effectively with multiple stakeholders, and ensure timely completion of activities in compliance with project requirements and deadlines.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support planning of project activities and coordinate the implementation;
• Manage logistics, scheduling, and field missions relevant to the project;
• Coordinate with government agencies, vendors, and partners for smooth project implementation;
• Support procurement processes and tracking the movement of project inputs;
• Maintain project documentation and records;
• Maintain comprehensive records of all technical field activities, particularly field training reports, photographs, and duly signed photo consent forms in a systematic manner;
• Assist in financial tracking of the project, reporting and provide help for budget revision if necessary;
• Contribute to the preparation of project technical reports and LoAs;
• Support organization of trainings, workshops, and recruitment of consultations;
• Facilitate communication among project stakeholders;
• Support to obtain necessary clearance on the project activities as required;
• Undertake any other tasks as requested by AFAOR (Programme) and Project Management Specialist.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Agriculture, Management, Aquaculture, Fisheries, or a related field from a recognized university/institution.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in project coordination, aquaculture or fisheries-related projects.
• Working knowledge of English and Sinhala/Tamil.
• National of Sri Lanka

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Previous working experience with FAO/UN in a similar capacity will be considered an added advantage.
• Relevant experience working with rural fisheries organizations, community-based fisheries groups, and fisheries-dependent communities.
• Demonstrated experience in project coordination, procurement processes, payment follow-up, logistics management, and administrative support.
• Strong planning, coordination, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deliver results within established deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Project, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work closely with the Project Management Specialist (PMS) to achieve project targets through regular monitoring, quality control, coordination, and reporting.
• Familiarity with the project implementation areas, particularly Trincomalee, Batticaloa, and Ampara districts.
• Knowledge and practical experience in fisheries and aquaculture development activities (stocking of seeds, construction of cages, barrier net, etc), community engagement, and field-level project implementation.
• Willingness and ability to travel to project sites as required.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.