National Operations and Logistics Specialist

Organizational Setting

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.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Frameworks aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
•    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•    provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
•    assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
•    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
•    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The EU-funded programme entitled “Support to Rural Entrepreneurship, Investment and Trade in Papua New Guinea” (EU-STREIT PNG) is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the United Nations Joint Programme (UNJP), in collaboration with the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and other partner agencies such as ILO, UNCDF, UNDP and ITU. The programme aims to promote sustainable agriculture and rural development, with a particular emphasis on improving the living conditions of rural communities, with a great emphasis on gender equality and youth inclusion.
The five-year Programme (2020-2025) will be implemented in the Provinces of East and West Sepik with the overall objective to increase sustainable and inclusive economic development of rural areas. The Programme will focus on the cocoa, vanilla and fishery (coastal, riverine and aquaculture) value chains with the specific objectives to: (i) increase economic returns from these value chains; and (ii) strengthen climate resilient and more efficient value chain enablers.

Reporting Lines

The National Operations and Logistics Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the International Operations Officer and in overall supervision of Programme Coordinator for EU-STREIT Programme in Papua New Guinea, and in close collaboration with the EU-STREIT Programme and Procurement units and FAO Country Office Operations team.

Technical Focus

The National Operations and Logistics Specialist will contribute to all logistics, procurement, travel and meeting/event managements of the EU-STREIT Programme.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide administrative and logistics support to the EU-STREIT Programme for the timely provision of the needed arrangements for travel, tax exemptions, custom clearance procedures, training workshops, procurement and other assigned tasks.
•    Process and follow-up on procurement requests (PR submission in i-Procurement), receipt goods (GRMS Receipt) and other tasks required as a procurement initiator in close consultation with Operations Officer and Procurement Unit.
•    Support Procurement unit in receiving and recording invoices and communication with relevant POM based vendors for provision of required goods and services.
•    Review, record, distribute and process incoming mail and correspondence; follow-up on pending actions; prepare draft responses to a wide range of correspondence and other communications,
•    Schedule appointments and meetings; arrange travels and visits, notifying organizations and officials to be visited, receive visitors.
•    Record Travel arrangements in FAO systems (GRMS), submission of required clearances (UNDSS TRIP) if required, processing and follow-up on Local and International Travel Authorization (LTA/TA) and the required settlements after missions (TEC);
•    Organize logistics arrangements for meetings, trainings, seminars, committees, and special projects and events; attend meetings, prepare minutes, monitor follow-up activities;.
•    Support and participate in, as appropriate, local Tender Opening Panels (TOP) and the Local Procurement Committee (LPC) and other designated roles.
•    Support and follow-up on shipping arrangements (from POM to Wewak/Vanimo or any items from any offshore supplier outside Papua New Guinea), customs clearance, tax exemption requests, delivery, reception and pre-positioning of supplies including storage in close collaboration with EU-STREIT Programme National Logistics Officer.
•    Support and follow-up on visa requests, lodging visas in relevant offices and check with local offices in the counterpart/relevant Governmental Department/Ministry for all incoming/outgoing missions and staff travelling under EU-STREIT Programme.
•    Submit e-requests in FAO ServiceNow online dashboard as required.
•    Undertake any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Minimum University degree (bachelor’s degree) in an Administrative related field or any related field to the mandate of the organization.
•    At least 3 years or more in operations, administrative, logistics or procurement experience.
•    Working Knowledge of English.
•    National of Papua New Guinea

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Strong capability to administer logistics, procurement and operational support to the Programme Coordinator and officers under STREIT PNG programme as required.
•    Facilitate arrangements for meetings, workshops, and related events.
•    Facilitate and follow-up on visa request/submission, custom clearances and tax exemptions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION