Programme Specialist
Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
Closing Date: Feb 27, 2026
Location: Egypt (Egypt)
Occupational Groups: Project and Programme Management
CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT\:

IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

  • FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
  • Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
  • Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
  • FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination  
  • All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
  • All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.


Organizational Setting

Guided by the Country Program Framework 2023 -2027, FAO’s country programme in Egypt is aligned with country priorities as expressed in national strategies such as; Vision 2030, Updated Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy and Action Plan (SADS-2030), National Water Resources Plan 2017-2037, Egypt National Climate Change Strategy-2050 and First Updated Nationally Determined Contributions (2022), National Food and Nutrition Strategy (2022-2030), Egypt National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance (2018-2022), Programmer (2022), National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women, 2030, Haya Karima Initiative (Decent Life – Sustainable Rural Communities) 2019-2030, Nexus of Water, Food and Energy (NWFE) Program, and residential Initiative “Bedaya – A New Beginning for Human Building”.
Through the support of various international donors, FAO Egypt is implementing a growing portfolio of projects covering but not limited to; land and water enhancement, agriculture production, animal health, climate change adaptation, agrifood value chain development, food security and nutrition and support to vulnerable rural and smallholder farmers. Further, a pipeline of projects covering climate change adaptation, natural resources management, biodiversity restoration and risk reduction is expected. FAO Egypt also sits in various coordination mechanisms in the country, in a strategic capacity as well as a technical lead for food systems and agriculture.
To deliver its program, FAO Egypt is working with several line ministries such as Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Social Solidarity, Ministry of Water Irrigation, and Ministry of Youth and Sports.


Reporting Lines

The Programme Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative/OiC, and the overall supervision of the ADG/Regional Representative for the Regional Office of the Near East and Nort Africa (RNE), and in close collaboration with the Assistant FAOR (Programme) in FAO Egypt and Programme Team.


Technical Focus

The Programme Specialist will oversee the implementation of the assigned project(s) and contribute to other FAO Egypt projects as required. The role ensures project(s) alignment with FAO's Strategic Framework, national priorities, and donor requirements. The Specialist will also provide technical and operational support to enhance the efficiency and impact of FAO Egypt’s broader portfolio.


Tasks and responsibilities

• Lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of assigned project(s) in agriculture and water management.
• Ensure the timely high-quality delivery of project outputs, including the scaling of modern irrigation technologies and training of target beneficiaries.
• Coordinate with all relevant stakeholders, including government counterparts, donors, and implementing partners, to ensure alignment with project goals.
• Provide strategic technical guidance on innovative irrigation methods, climate-smart water management, and gender-responsive practices.
• Oversee the integration of water-energy-food nexus concepts and sustainability principles into project activities.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance for the development of technical manuals, training materials, and policy briefs related to sustainable water resource management.
• Oversee the design and implementation of training programs for farmers, government officials, and extension workers.
• Oversee the organization and operation of Farmer Field Schools (FFSs) and community-based training sessions.
• Strengthen institutional capacity for sustainable agriculture and water resource management.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, private sector actors, NGOs, and donor representatives.
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder platforms to discuss policy, technical, and operational issues related to the project.
• In close collaboration with the budget holder, manage the project budget, ensuring efficient use of resources and compliance with FAO financial rules and regulations.
• Develop and implement a robust M&E framework to track project performance and impact.
• Lead the preparation and timely submission of high-quality progress and financial reports to FAO Egypt, donors, and stakeholders.
• Lead or contribute substantively to mid-term reviews and contribute to terminal evaluations.
• Provide specialized technical and operational support to other water and agriculture projects managed by FAO Egypt.
• Contribute to the FAO Egypt country programme and advise management on programming opportunities, resource mobilization and partnerships or other upcoming areas of convergence with government priorities.
• Develop communication materials to disseminate project results and best practices to stakeholders and the wider public.
• Represent FAO in meetings, workshops, and conferences to advocate for sustainable water and agricultural practices.
• Identify, assess and monitor potential risks to project implementation and develop and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Ensure adherence to environmental and social safeguards in all project activities.
• Mainstream gender equality, climate change adaptation, and environmental sustainability across all activities.
• Promote nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices and enhance water productivity.
• Participate in interview panels for the recruitment of other affiliate personnel (but not staff members).
• Exercise supervisory functions over other affiliate personnel (but not staff members).
• Perform any other tasks as requested by the FAO Representative.


CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING


Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Engineering, Water Resources Management, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Natural Resources Management, or a related field; Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in project formulation, implementation, and management, preferably within water management, water governance, irrigation, or natural resources–related projects.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Arabic.


FAO Core Competencies

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


Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work;
• Extent and relevance of experience in planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of projects.
• Extent and relevance of experience in coordination with government counterparts, stakeholders and partners.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
  • Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
  • 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 more information, visit the FAO employment website
  • Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• 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/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.


• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

By registering on our pool, our recruiters will be able to view your profile, contact you for current & future vacancies and engage you on opportunities that match your skills and interest.

We encourage you to always keep your profile updated with your most recent qualifications, experience, skills and languages (local & international) to increase the possibility of being contacted.

Register