Programme Assistant

FAO’s Food and Nutrition Division (ESN) assists Members to improve diets and raise levels of nutrition, as well as 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 of the work of the Organization.

The position is located in ESN at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The incumbent will work in the Office of the Director supporting the smooth operationalization of the work plan and budget. Successful execution of the post will ensure the division continuously monitors its work and holds itself accountable for good stewardship of resources, including through internal controls, to best serve FAO Members.

Main Purpose

The Programme Assistant is responsible for the coordination of specialized and complex processes and activities in support of the delivery of the division’s work programme, planning and budgeting activities. He/she provides procedural guidance to managers and staff in the division.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Programme Assistant works under the general supervision of the Director and Deputy Director, ESN. The incumbent operates independently and takes decisions on work priorities. Supervision received is focused on the quality of work outputs. He/she provides guidance and advice to other programme support staff.

Working Relationships

The Programme Assistant works closely with a wide range of colleagues in the division and with client offices, ensuring the consistency and quality of programme/project support services provided by the division.

Key Functions/Results

• Monitor both Regular Programme and Project budgets, ensuring that funds are properly allocated and reported upon, and take corrective action if required; inform management of any budget issues that may require attention;
• Provide support to budget holders in the preparation of the Periodic Budgetary Reports (PBR), the biennial Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) and related work plans for the division as needed;
• Prepare project budget revisions in consultation with budget holders;
• Respond to a variety of routine queries and provide clarifications on programme and project matters; inform management and team members of processes, procedures and timeframes to secure administrative services needed for programme/project execution; initiate correspondence to verify data, obtain additional information on transactions and budgetary matters;
• Review data quality and maintain office records and reference files on various subjects; compile and synthesize data from various sources to support financial analyses on programme/project activities; generate periodic or ad-hoc management reports;
• Coordinate the full array of administrative and financial actions related to staff management, non-staff support, travel, payments and procurement;
• Provide procedural guidance to junior Programme Assistants and other staff in the work unit;
• Review and make recommendations to improve current programme/project administration procedures and processes;
• Perform other functions as required.

Impact of Work

The incumbent’s work impacts directly on the smooth operations and performance of the division’s programme/project activities. He/she plays a lead role in the provision of programme support services for successful achievement of the organizational unit’s mandate.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Education: Secondary School Education.

Experience: Four years of relevant experience in the provision of programme/projects support services.

Languages: Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English.

IT Skills: Good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.

Residency: General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit, and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. “Commuting distance” means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.

Competencies

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

Technical Skills

• Very good knowledge of corporate information systems.
• Very good knowledge of programme and budget processes and procedures.
• Very good knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations.
• Very good knowledge of communication and documentation standards.

Desirable Qualifications And Skills

• Limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)
• Extensive knowledge of Regular Programme resource management/work planning
• Good knowledge of GRMS, iMIS, PIRES systems
• Good knowledge of internal controls monitoring mechanisms
• Experience in preparation and monitoring of Letters of Agreements (LoAs)
• Good knowledge of extrabudgetary resource management/work planning
• Ability to plan, organize work and establish priorities
• Capacity to provide guidance to managers and support staff

Call For Expressions Of Interest – Vacancy Announcement

Job Posting

30/Jan/2024

Closure Date

13/Feb/2024, 5:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit

ESN

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition

General Service

Grade Level

G-5

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

Duration

Fixed-term: 2 years with possibility of extension

Post Number

0099996

CCOG Code

2102b

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

Staff in the General Service category are recruited locally from the Primary Location area, which is where the office is located.

• 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 the 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.