Programme Officer

Job Title: Programme Officer 

Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Closure Date: 30/Aug/2023, 12:59:00 AM

Organizational Unit: Food and Nutrition Division (ESN)

Job Type: Staff position

Type of Requisition: Professional

Grade Level: P-3

Primary Location: Rome, Italy

Duration: Fixed-term: 2 years with possibility of extension

Post Number: 0065676

CCOG Code: 1A02

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

• 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 persons 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 staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. 

Organizational Setting
FAO's' Food and Nutrition Division (ESN) assists Members to improve diets and raise levels of nutrition and provides support with appropriate policies, strategies and methodologies for improving the efficiency and inclusiveness of their agriculture and food systems. As a knowledge leader, areas addressed include dietary assessment, support on nutrition-sensitive food and agriculture policies and programmes, effective nutrition promotion programmes, food value chains, market linkages, post-harvest handling, food loss and waste reduction and nutrition-sensitive agro-processing. FAO is committed to support Members in their efforts to improve nutritional outcomes as stated in the Rome Declaration on Nutrition (November 2014) and to mainstream nutrition across all the work of the Organization.
The position is located in the Food and Nutrition Division (ESN) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Programme Officer reports to the Deputy Director, Food and Nutrition Division, ESN, and works under the overall guidance of the Director, ESN.

Technical Focus
Programme management and operational support to the planning, development, formulation, implementation of programmes/projects in accordance with Divisional objectives and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Results
Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate assigned programme/projects.

Key Functions
• Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation;
• Reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions;
• Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, etc.;
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.;
• Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).

Specific Functions
• Contributes to the preparation of annual work plans and provides advice to the budget holders on the utilization of staff and non-staff resources, and monitors programme and budget implementation for extra-budgetary activities, with due regard to coherence with corporate priorities.
• Oversees FAO project cycle at the divisional level, for all programme/projects at all stages, ensuring results-based focus and adherence to FAO procedures and processes.
• Supports the ESN programme budget holders in effective operations, budget planning, monitoring, revision and consistency with the overall programme budget.
• Coordinates requests/proposals related to Trust Fund projects at the divisional level, ensuring Technical Services are provided in line with the Cost Recovery Policy and Divisional Regular Programme workplans.
• Contributes to strategic oversight within the division's management team, provides advice, knowledge management on programme/operational/audit matters and systems controls in close collaboration with other FAO functional units (administration, finance, etc.), making proposals for improving processes and strengthening capacities and information sharing.
• Contributes to resource mobilization activities, proposing projects requiring additional funding and identifying funding options, in close collaboration with the Resource Mobilization and Private Sector Partnerships Division (PSR), Programme Priority Areas of the FAO Strategic Framework and Regional Initiatives Teams.
• Liaises with other UN agencies as appropriate on administrative and financial matters related to ESN, when applicable.
• Monitors delivery and budget allocations and assists the Project Task Force (PTF) in drafting annual project work plans, related budgets and budget revisions, ensuring timely authorizations for processing and distribution of progress reports and other documents as required.
• Liaises with PSR concerning interactions with the donor on budget revisions and to ensure compliance with FAO's financial and administrative procedures, as well as support in periodic progress and terminal reports for review by those units having technical, financial, legal and operational responsibilities.
• Supports the organization and correct functioning of relevant PTF meetings, including their development and updating of work plans during implementation phases.
• Supports the Director, ESN in discharging his/her financial accountability functions.
• Oversees the maintenance and updating of the project tracking system to monitor various stages of project preparation, implementation and reporting supporting early action to address critical situations providing forecasts and trend analysis to support ESN strategy development.
• Performs other related duties, as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in business or public administration, international relations, development management or related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in the field of programme/project management, operations, administration or related area.
• Working knowledge of (proficient – level C) English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies
• Results Focus
• Team Work
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
• Extent and relevance of experience in managing and coordinating technical and/or operational programmes, including the 'project cycle'.
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation, project operations (budget transfers, staffing and recruitment, travel, procurement, contracts and LoAs).
• Extent of knowledge of planning and budgetary processes and associated tools.
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.

FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. 

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link:  http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm
  Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of  annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection 

FAO encourages  a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes: 
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct.

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/ 
• 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 contact: Careers@fao.org  

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