Financial and Procurement Assistant

Details

Mission and objectives

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Government of Guate-mala signed the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2022-2025, which defines the na-tional priorities that FAO will address through actions at the country level within the scope of strategic framework. These priorities are intended to guarantee the comparative advantages of FAO to contribute to the achievement of the goals established in national policy instru-ments such as: a) the National Development Plan K’atún Nuestra Guatemala 2032 (CON-ADUR-SEGEPLAN, 2014), b) the National Development Priorities (SEGEPLAN, 2016), c) the General Government Policy 2020-2024; as well as the United Nations Cooperation Framework for the Sustainable Development of Guatemala (MC), and the 2030 Agenda, which contributes to the three Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): SDG1 (no poverty), SDG2 (zero hunger) and SDG10 (reduction of inequalities).

Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations plays a pivotal role in enhancing agricultural productivity and food security worldwide, with a particular focus on supporting rural communities in developing countries. In Guatemala, the FAO’s efforts are directed towards empowering local agricultural sectors, promoting sustainable development practices, and improving livelihoods in rural areas. These initiatives are crucial in a country where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy and sustains most of its population. Guatemala faces significant challenges, including climate change impacts, deforestation, and soil degradation, which threaten agricultural productivity and food security. Additionally, the country’s rural communities often grapple with limited access to markets, financial services, and modern agricultural technologies. In response, the FAO office in Guatemala is implementing a range of projects aimed at addressing these challenges, fostering sustainable agricultural practices, and enhancing the resilience of rural communities.
The UN Volunteer will support the Operations Unit of the FAO office in Guatemala, focusing on financial management and procurement processes. This support is critical for the efficient implementation of FAO’s projects in Guatemala, which include:
1.Sustainable Agricultural Development: Initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable farming practices, improving crop yields, and enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems to climate change.
2.Rural Livelihood Enhancement: Projects designed to improve rural livelihoods through increased access to markets, financial services, and agricultural training programs.
3.Natural Resource Management: Efforts to support the sustainable management of natural resources, including soil conservation, reforestation, and water management practices.
4.Capacity Building and Technical Assistance: Providing technical assistance and training to farmers, agricultural cooperatives, and local institutions to build their capacity in sustainable agricultural practices and business management.
The UN Volunteer’s role in supporting the financial and procurement aspects of these projects is vital. By ensuring the efficient allocation and utilization of resources, the volunteer will contribute directly to the success of FAO’s initiatives in Guatemala, ultimately aiding in the improvement of food security and rural development in the country.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the FAO Programme Assistant Representative, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
•Support the monitoring of the status of purchase orders and liaise with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of goods and services.
•Contribute to update and maintain the purchase tracking system to reflect current statuses and any changes.
•Prepare regular reports on purchase order progress for review by the Operations Unit.
•Help in the development and implementation of procurement plans.
•Contribute to the evaluation of bids and proposals in line with FAO procurement policies.
•Participate in Operations Unit meetings and contribute to discussions on improving financial and procurement processes.
•Engage in learning opportunities within the FAO office to understand the broader context of financial management and procurement in rural development projects.
•Support in the conducting of market research to gather data on the cost of local supplies relevant to FAO projects, including agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilizers, etc.), tools, and equipment.
•Support in the development of cost estimates for local supplies, taking into consideration factors such as quantity discounts, transportation costs, and potential fluctuations in market prices.