Apply Today! FAO Careers: Project Coordinator – Climate-Resilient Ecosystem Restoration & Sustainable Land Management – Zambia (2025)
Apply Today! FAO Careers: Project Coordinator – Climate-Resilient Ecosystem Restoration & Sustainable Land Management – Zambia (2025)
Job Posting Date: 28 October 2025
Application Deadline: 12 November 2025, 12:59 AM
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
Contract Type: National Project Personnel (NPP), 12 months (possible extension)
Job ID: 2502595
About FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture worldwide. Operating in over 130 countries, FAO provides technical assistance, policy advice, and knowledge solutions that empower countries and communities to transform food systems.
FAO’s mission is guided by the FAO Strategic Framework, which aligns its programs and interventions to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our work focuses on achieving more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, ensuring better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and ultimately, a better life for people everywhere.
We believe that sustainability, inclusivity, and equity are the pillars of development. Our workforce reflects this ethos, with FAO actively promoting diversity in gender, nationality, language, and professional expertise. FAO values integrity, professionalism, and commitment to achieving measurable results in collaboration with governments, civil society, and international partners.
At FAO, our staff are the cornerstone of our success. We provide opportunities to work in challenging, international environments while fostering personal and professional growth. FAO is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace, offering staff development programs, mentoring opportunities, and access to cutting-edge knowledge resources.
About the Project
FAO, in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Zambia and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is implementing the “Resilient Communities, Land Restoration, and Sustainable Ecosystems Management in Central and Southern Zambia” project under the GEF8 funding cycle.
This project addresses some of Zambia’s most pressing environmental challenges, including land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate vulnerability. By combining climate-resilient natural resource management approaches with community-led interventions, FAO seeks to empower local communities, restore degraded landscapes, and enhance sustainable livelihoods.
Project Objectives
The project is designed with four integrated components:
- Enabling Environment for Climate Adaptation:
- Develop policies, regulatory frameworks, and institutional capacities that support sustainable land management and climate-resilient development.
- Strengthen governance structures and facilitate coordination among government agencies, civil society, and communities.
- Promote climate-smart agricultural practices and ecosystem conservation through guidelines, standards, and technical support.
- Ecological Restoration and Natural Resource Management:
- Restore the ecological integrity of degraded landscapes using evidence-based interventions.
- Implement sustainable forestry, agriculture, and water management practices.
- Protect and conserve biodiversity through habitat restoration and climate-adaptive land-use planning.
- Climate-Resilient Livelihoods:
- Enhance community livelihoods while reducing environmental pressures.
- Promote income-generating activities that are sustainable and resilient to climate change.
- Encourage adoption of climate-smart agriculture and alternative livelihood strategies, reducing reliance on unsustainable practices like charcoal production or overexploitation of natural resources.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL):
- Establish robust monitoring systems to track project performance and environmental outcomes.
- Conduct regular assessments, field visits, and stakeholder consultations.
- Disseminate lessons learned, best practices, and success stories to inform future interventions at the local, national, and regional levels.
By integrating these components, the project will generate global environmental benefits, strengthen community resilience, improve livelihoods, and contribute to Zambia’s climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation targets.
Role Overview
The Project Coordinator will serve as the primary technical and operational lead for the GEF8 project in Zambia. This role requires strategic thinking, hands-on field engagement, and strong stakeholder management skills. The Coordinator will ensure that project activities are aligned with FAO standards, donor requirements, and government priorities while promoting community participation and capacity building.
Reporting Structure
The Project Coordinator reports to the FAO Representative in Zambia with direct supervision from the AFAOR Programmes and technical guidance from the FAO Southern Africa Sub-Regional Office (SFS) and other FAO technical officers.
Key Responsibilities
Project Management & Coordination
- Lead day-to-day project operations, ensuring milestones are achieved on time and within budget.
- Supervise operational partners and ensure compliance with project agreements and risk assurance measures.
- Develop work plans, coordinate project activities, and oversee implementation across multiple sites.
- Conduct field visits and performance assessments to ensure the quality and impact of project interventions.
Technical Leadership
- Provide technical guidance in environmental management, climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable agriculture.
- Review project designs, reports, and implementation plans to ensure alignment with FAO and GEF technical standards.
- Advise on best practices and innovative solutions for climate-resilient ecosystem restoration.
- Contribute to policy processes and technical discussions on climate change, natural resource management, and sustainable development.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Coordinate with government authorities, NGOs, community-based organizations, and private sector stakeholders.
- Facilitate workshops, policy dialogues, and consultations to ensure stakeholder participation and ownership.
- Promote cross-sectoral collaboration to maximize project synergies with other climate, agriculture, and biodiversity initiatives.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Establish robust MEL frameworks and tools for project tracking.
- Prepare periodic project reports, including technical, financial, and narrative summaries.
- Document lessons learned, success stories, and best practices for internal and external dissemination.
Resource Mobilization & Capacity Building
- Assist in identifying additional funding opportunities and preparing project proposals.
- Support training, mentoring, and knowledge transfer to partners and project staff.
- Strengthen the capacity of operational partners for effective project delivery.
Communication & Knowledge Management
- Develop technical briefs, reports, and knowledge products on climate-resilient ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management.
- Maintain accurate records of project activities, locations, and interventions.
- Facilitate information sharing with FAO headquarters, regional offices, and other project stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
Education:
- Advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Environmental Management, Climate Change, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Agriculture, or related field.
Experience:
- Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in environmental projects, climate change adaptation, or sustainable agriculture.
- Demonstrated experience in managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
- Experience with GEF projects or other international environmental funding programs is highly desirable.
Skills & Competencies:
- Strong project management and operational oversight skills.
- Proven technical expertise in climate-resilient land management, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable livelihoods.
- Ability to conduct fieldwork, engage with stakeholders, and provide technical supervision.
- Excellent planning, facilitation, writing, and communication skills.
- Familiarity with national environmental policies, regulations, and governance structures.
- Knowledge of resource mobilization, proposal development, and donor reporting.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.
Languages:
- Working knowledge of English is required.
FAO Core Competencies:
- Results focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building effective relationships
- Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement
Selection Criteria
Applicants will be assessed based on:
- Professional experience and technical expertise in climate change, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable agriculture.
- Ability to lead project teams, coordinate stakeholders, and manage field-based operations.
- Knowledge of GEF or similar donor-funded projects.
- Experience in data collection, reporting, and knowledge management.
- Track record in stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and policy support.
Application Process
- Complete your profile with employment history, qualifications, and language skills.
- Upload a letter of motivation highlighting your experience and suitability for the role.
- Submit your application before 12 November 2025, 12:59 AM.
- APPLY HERE.
Notes:
- FAO does not charge fees for recruitment at any stage.
- Only applications through the FAO portal will be considered.
- Shortlisted candidates may be asked for references, verification of credentials, and additional documentation.
- FAO offices are non-smoking environments.
YOU CAN CHECK OTHER EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES HERE.
Why Join FAO?
Working with FAO offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference:
- Impactful Work: Contribute to climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.
- Professional Growth: Gain international exposure, advanced training, and career development opportunities.
- Collaborative Environment: Work with a diverse team of professionals, governments, and NGOs.
- Sustainability Focus: Play a key role in restoring ecosystems and enhancing community resilience.
- Global Mission: Support FAO’s vision of “Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment, Better Life.”
FAO Values
FAO operates under principles of integrity, professionalism, accountability, and respect for diversity. Our staff are committed to:
- Upholding high ethical standards in all activities.
- Promoting gender equality and inclusion.
- Ensuring transparency, fairness, and consistency in project implementation.
- Contributing to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
