AVSF National Coordinator – Mongolia At Veterinarians Without Borders International

Job Description

• Location: Position based in Ulaanbaatar with extensive travel to operating provinces
• Type of contract: Full-time fixed-term contract (CDD)
• Contract duration: 12 months, renewable
• Status: Employee under French law under fixed-term contract – Executive status
• Desired arrival date: Early July 2025
• Application deadline: February 28, 2025
• Preparation for departure (for expatriates only): 5 days in Lyon and Nogent (France) and external meetings before departure

Agronomes & Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (AVSF), a member of VSF International, is a French international solidarity association recognized as being of public utility, which has been working since 1977 to support peasant agriculture. Present in 23 countries, AVSF provides peasant communities threatened by exclusion and poverty with the skills of professionals in agriculture, livestock farming and animal health. AVSF thus supports their initiatives to obtain better living conditions, sustainably manage the natural resources on which they depend, and participate in the socio-economic development of their territory. AVSF helps them defend their rights and gain better recognition for their role in society.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The National Coordinator assumes the legal and institutional representation of AVSF in Mongolia. Under the hierarchical responsibility of the Director General, and the functional responsibility of the Program Director, his/her main mission is to ensure the coordination, strategic coherence and quality of AVSF’s cooperation in Mongolia.

1. Coordinate the development and implementation of the country strategy with AVSF teams and partners, in accordance with the association’s policy and areas of cooperation.

2. Organize support – methodological, technical and administrative monitoring for AVSF teams and partners to ensure the quality of ongoing cooperation actions, as well as monitoring-evaluation and capitalization of actions.

3. Drive and manage the identification, formulation and implementation of new partnerships and cooperation programs in Mongolia (calls for projects, calls for tenders, provision of services) in accordance with the association’s guidelines and in line with the defined strategy; ensure regular evaluation of partners (ex-ante and ex-post).

4. Manage the search for and negotiation of public and private funding to make the actions undertaken and new cooperation viable.

5. Ensure transparent management of the financial and logistical resources mobilized , with the Administrative and Financial Manager in Mongolia and in coordination with the AVSF administrative and financial department in France (budgeting, budget monitoring, control, etc.).

6. Ensure human resources management (national and expatriate staff) and forward planning of jobs and skills for national staff .

7. Ensure monitoring of AVSF commitments within the framework of the agreements entered into by the association with national and regional authorities and all technical and financial partners (technical and financial reports, etc.) and represent the association vis-à-vis third parties.

CONTEXT

Present in Mongolia since 2004, AVSF is currently implementing 3 cooperation programs at the provincial and national levels, which involve many local and international partners . The annual cooperation budget for the year 2024 amounts to approximately €800,000. AVSF has a professional technical and administrative team of 13 people , including 1 expatriate Project Manager.

In a context of prolonged absence of clear State policy in agricultural matters, regular increase in livestock numbers leading to growing problems of overgrazing, and finally limitation of income from livestock products, AVSF cooperation has as a priority objective to support livestock organizations for a more sustainable management of pastoral resources, directly associated with a better economic valorization of quality livestock products (fibers in particular) on local and international markets. Cooperation in Mongolia thus favors the following priority areas of intervention:

1. sustainable management of natural and pastoral resources , particularly pastures, support for improving animal health services and improving livestock management .
2. the structuring of professional producer/breeder organizations in all livestock sectors (yak and cashmere fibers, meat, milk): governance, consolidation of skills in quality, certification, processing, collection management and marketing, administration, management, marketing.

LIVING CONDITIONS

• Position based in Ulaanbaatar – capital of Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar is a city with all services and many options for extra-professional activities, with a vibrant expatriate community. The proximity to hiking and outdoor activities areas (Terelj National Park, Bogd Khan) makes life easier in the coldest capital in the world and one of the most polluted cities in the world. AVSF offices are located in the city center, and finding accommodation nearby makes everyday life easy. The Mongolian climate is cold in winter (6 months below 0°C, down to -40°C), hot in summer (6 months of positive temperatures, up to 35°C in July and August).
• Expect frequent travel to rural areas of Mongolia in rustic conditions (at least 40 days per year); and 10 days per year of travel for missions outside Mongolia*.*

EXPECTED PROFILE

The candidate must have higher education (Master’s degree or equivalent) in agronomy, agroeconomics, veterinary sciences, rural economics, political sciences with a specialization in international cooperation and/or sustainable development.

The coordinator will have at least 5 years of proven experience in a coordination position (country or project portfolio) within an NGO or similar institution, in the field of rural and local development.

The candidate will demonstrate an aptitude for teamwork and field work. He/she will have solid analytical and synthesis skills, strong interpersonal and writing skills, as well as a strong personal capacity for autonomy and adaptation to work in difficult local conditions.

AVSF strives to develop an inclusive work environment that reflects the diversity of its employees within its teams. As an employer, AVSF offers everyone the same opportunities for access to employment without distinction of gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, social status, disability and age.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience in coordination and management of rural development programs; very good command of project cycle management; skills in monitoring-evaluation and capitalization of experiences.
• Proven experience in human resources management.
• Proven experience in formulating agricultural and rural development projects and programs in response to calls for projects and calls for tender.
• Knowledge of major donors and negotiation skills.
• Ability to lead project consortia and local partnership relations
• Proven skills in the following themes or demonstration of a rapid learning capacity: support for livestock sectors (technical and economic management of livestock, structuring of animal product sectors, marketing), strengthening of farmers’ organizations, collective management of natural resources and adaptation to climate change.
• Languages: French / English fluent required. Knowledge of the Mongolian language and culture will be an advantage.

JOB CONDITIONS

Gross monthly salary: According to AVSF scale (for information purposes from €3,400 to €3,700 gross/month) + family allowance for children depending on age

Social benefits

• Support for plane tickets (expatriate, spouse and children)
• Social security coverage for expatriates and their families (Social Security (CFE) – mutual insurance – pension – health repatriation insurance and civil liability)

Terms and conditions

• Full-time position
• Based in Ulaanbaatar, with the possibility of teleworking 2 days a week. The premises are adapted for people with reduced mobility.
• Executive status
• The position can be adapted according to the candidates’ profile.