Youth Engagement and Green Jobs Facilitator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is actively involved in the implementation of the “Green Jobs for Rural Youth Employment” project in Zimbabwe’s six districts, namely Chegutu, Chimanimani, Kariba, Kwekwe, Marondera, and Mazowe. This 4.5-year project, scheduled from 2019 to 2024, is designed to achieve two major objectives: providing green job opportunities for rural youth and supporting the government’s transition to a green economy by harnessing the agricultural sector’s potential in rural areas. This article will explore the role of a Youth Engagement and Green Jobs Facilitator in the FAO’s mission, emphasizing the significance of the project’s goals and the specific responsibilities of the facilitator.
Organizational Setting
Within the organizational setting, the FAO is diligently pursuing its mission to bring about positive change in Zimbabwe’s rural areas. The project focuses on six key districts and involves active participation from rural youth. These youth have been strategically chosen to engage in the Green Entrepreneurship Track (GET) and the Wage Employment Programme (WEP), two distinct pathways designed to provide employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. The latter offers waged employment with a monthly salary for two years, while GET empowers rural youth with grants to initiate green agribusiness startups. As the project progresses, it aims to share valuable insights, challenges, and best practices with stakeholders, ultimately contributing to the development of national strategies for youth employment, agricultural and rural development, and the transition to a Green Economy.
Also Read: Graduate Trainee Opportunities in Marketing at Clover Leaf Motors
Reporting Lines
In this section, we delve into the reporting lines within the FAO project. The Youth Engagement and Green Jobs Facilitator will operate under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for Zimbabwe. Furthermore, the facilitator will work closely with the Assistant FAO Representative-Programme and receive technical guidance from the National Project Coordinator. This collaborative approach ensures that the project’s goals are met effectively and efficiently. The facilitator will also engage with technical officers in the country office and at the headquarters.
Technical Focus
The technical focus of the Youth Engagement and Green Jobs Facilitator revolves around various aspects of the project. Their responsibilities include promoting decent employment and entrepreneurship for rural youth, contributing to policy support and knowledge development, engaging with youth, conducting research and data analysis, and maintaining tools and databases necessary for achieving the project’s objectives. This multifaceted approach underscores the importance of addressing youth employment challenges while fostering green entrepreneurship in rural Zimbabwe.
Tasks And Responsibilities
The incumbent in this role has several key responsibilities, which can be summarized as follows:
- Facilitating communication channels and liaising with youth participants in the Wage Employment Programme (WEP) and Green Entrepreneurship Track (GET) through various platforms.
- Coordinating with mentors A and B to ensure effective mentorship for youth beneficiaries.
- Assessing compliance of information and documents shared by youth and mentors within the Green Entrepreneurship Track to meet grant agreement requirements.
- Supporting the development, clearance, and signing of project documents and agreements in alignment with FAO procedures.
- Assisting project implementation by compiling lessons learned for sharing with program management structures and stakeholders.
- Collaborating with national youth groups, youth-focused organizations, and other entities engaged in youth employment and entrepreneurship activities in rural areas.
- Providing logistical support for the project, including organizing missions, workshops, and other relevant events.
- Communicating with relevant stakeholders and monitoring the project’s progress.
- Maintaining and updating the GJ4RYE WEP and GET database.
- Assisting with LoA payments, Purchase Requisitions (PRs), and other administrative and operational tasks.
Minimum Requirements
Candidates for this role should meet the following minimum requirements:
- Possess a university degree in fields such as international development, public administration, business administration, environmental studies, economics, agricultural studies, agribusiness, development studies, or social sciences.
- Have a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in green jobs, agricultural policy, rural development, and youth employment issues.
- Possess a working knowledge of English and Shona.
- Be a national of Zimbabwe.
FAO Core Competencies
The ideal candidate should demonstrate the following FAO core competencies:
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Also Read: Gender Specialist Job Opportunity at Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Additional Information
Additional information worth noting includes:
- Preference for candidates with work experience in multiple locations or areas, particularly in research and monitoring.
- Depth of experience in promoting youth engagement in youth employment and entrepreneurship in agri-food value chains.
- Familiarity with UN administrative, operational, and financial procedures
- Knowledge of research methods, including statistical software.
- Experience in multidisciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.