Project Assistant

About the role

The Project Assistant will support the implementation of FAO‑led components of the Joint United Nations Nutrition Programme in Sierra Leone. Working under the FAO Representative and the Technical Coordinator, the role ensures timely delivery of activities that strengthen climate‑resilient agriculture, improve nutrition‑sensitive services and enhance coordination among government, UN agencies and NGOs.

Key responsibilities

• Assist the rollout of project activities across four target districts in line with approved workplans.
• Track progress against outputs, indicators and timelines; contribute to monthly, quarterly and annual work‑plan updates.
• Liaise with Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, decentralized structures, UN partners (UNICEF, WFP, WHO) and implementing NGOs to facilitate coordinated implementation.
• Organise coordination meetings, technical workshops and field missions; draft minutes, briefs and correspondence.
• Initiate and follow up procurement and administrative actions in FAO’s GRMS system, prepare procurement documents and monitor delivery of inputs.
• Support budget monitoring, prepare revisions and assist with financial reporting.
• Collect, compile and validate data on activities and outputs; contribute to high‑quality technical, operational and donor reports.
• Maintain project documentation, beneficiary records and MIS filing systems; support logistics for travel, venues and training events.

Required profile

• Proven experience in project coordination or assistance, preferably in agriculture, nutrition or development programmes.
• Familiarity with UN or FAO administrative procedures and donor reporting requirements.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work with multiple stakeholders in a multicultural environment.
• Willingness to travel to field sites and adapt to varying work conditions.

Required skills

• Use of FAO’s GRMS procurement and administrative system.
• Basic budget monitoring and financial tracking.
• Data collection, validation and management for monitoring‑information‑systems (MIS).