FAO Representation
Zambia
FAO in Zambia
The FAO Representation office was established on 19th September 1978 at the request of the Government of the Republic of Zambia.H.E The minister of Lands and Agriculture A. Chikwanda then signed the agreement on behalf of the Republic of Zambia while Director-General Dr. Edouard Saoma signed on behalf of the Food Agriculture Organization(FAO).
The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative (FAORep), is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to reduce hunger and malnutrition; to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable way.
In particular, this is achieved by:
- Developing, promoting and overseeing strategies for addressing national food security, agriculture and rural development objectives;
- Developing and implementing FAO's field programmes by identifying and formulating new programmes and projects and by liaising with local stakeholders including donor representations;
- Helping governments to prevent disasters, assess damage, and assist them in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the agricultural sector;
- Carrying out public awareness activities and supporting important FAO activities such as TeleFood and the World Food Day;
- Providing assistance to technical and investment missions from FAO headquarters and from Regional or Subregional Offices to the country;
- Serving as the channel of FAO's services to governments and other partners (donors, NGOs, Civil Society Organizations, research institutions, etc.);
- Keeping FAO informed of major social and economic developments in the country and monitoring the situation of the agriculture sector in the country;
- Representing FAO before host governments and all partners involved in FAO activities.
As representatives of the Director-General in their country of assignment, FAOReps develop and maintain relations with the government and other institutions in the country and liaise on behalf of the Regional Representative (RR) or Subregional Coordinator (SRC) with (sub)regional organizations located in their country. They guide all units in FAO on country assistance priorities and guide all FAO staff in the country on advocacy, policy, security and general managerial issues. FAOReps work in the line of command of the Director-General with whom they generally communicate through the Office of Support to Decentralization (OSD).
The role of the FAORep has significantly expanded over the last few years, especially as regards their increasing responsibilities within the project cycle and their interaction with the UN Country Team (UNCT).
The FAO Zambia office has indeed increased its responsibilities and in size. Currently it even has an Emergency Programme unit. FAO premises are also housing IFAD country office.
FAO Zambia Regular Staff members
Mr. Christian Chomba Assistant FAO Representative - Programmes
Mrs. Dorothy Jere Programme Assistant
Ms. Mabel Chibesakunda Senior Secretary
Mrs. Rachel Kaluba Chenge Administrative Assistant
Mr. Chinsamba Daka Information Resources Clerk
Mrs. Hazel Chizyuka Reception/ Communication Clerk
Ms. Florence Mwiya Programme Clerk
Mr. Friday Chanda Driver
PROJECT STAFF Members
Dr. Jim Belemu Manager - Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Unit (DRRMU)
Mr. Kadonsi Chinganya Operations Officer DRRMU
Mr. Brighton Mulonga Project Manager Cassava Project
Ms. Celestina Lwatula Programme Officer - Integrated Land Use
Asssessment Phase Two (ILUA II)
Mr. Nicolaas Van der Werf Technical Adviser - ILUA II
Mr. Simon Mulela Driver DRRMU
Mr. Alfred Mubanga Driver DRRMU
