Operation Specialist

The main aim of FAO Country Offices, headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and 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 manner. FAO Lao PDR assists the Government in the development and implementation of field projects in the sectors of food security, agriculture, and rural development. This requires the integration within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at increasing production and productivity, addressing climate change, and managing natural resources; and enhance rural livelihoods.

The Operation Specialist reports to the FAO Representative to Lao PDR and Budget Holder (BH) at FAOLA and working in close collaboration with Assistant FAOR (Administration), FAO staff and RAP as well as national project counterpart.

Programme administration and operational, project financial management including accounting and personnel administration.

Responsibilitie:

• •    Act as focal point for all project operational matters, organize and facilitate day-to-day operational activities of the field programme (including emergency, rehabilitation, and development projects, (all national and regional and global projects) and take action, under guidance from the FAOR, on problems which arise during the execution period.
• •    Coordinate and facilitate operational aspects of the country projects in Lao PDR as required under the FAOR’s guidance with RAP operations support, and in liaison with technical, operational, and administrative staff.
• •    Coordinate relevant project stakeholders and facilitate selection of suitable project implementation modality (DEX vs OPIM) and support their project implementation as and when required by the supervisor.
• •    Ensure timely provision of project inputs (personnel, technical support services, sub-contracts, training, equipment, and supplies) directly by the Organization or, when appropriate, through contractors, and by liaising with other support units.
• •    Organize and facilitate day-to-day operational activities of related executed emergency, rehabilitation, and development projects as assigned by the FAOR.
• •    Support funding liaison office and/or budget holder and coordinate with resource partners to smooth funding transfer, budget revisions and reporting requirements.
• •    Provide regular FPSN review on project delivery status and seek operational support from RAP and take necessary management actions on resolving pending issues which arise during the execution period to ensure all projects under FAOLA responsibility are up to date.
• •    Coordinate and facilitate periodic pipeline reviews with RAP in close collaboration with AFAOR (P)
• •    Participate in the preparation of project work plans, monitor progress and, where necessary, identify corrective measures to overcome operational constraints or risks.
• •    Review and monitor project budget and prepare requests and revisions as required; maintain and alert about budget expenditures and resources; reviews project transaction listings with a view to identifying errors in accounting against budget lines.
• •    Ensure the complete, up-to-date, and quality of data and documentation in the FAO corporate systems (GRMS, FPMIS, etc) for all operational field projects/activities under the responsibility of FAOLA.
• •    Coordinate action concerning the completion of field project and arranges for timely and adequate reporting and terminal report, including identification of project follow- up requirements.
• •    Provide necessary support and operational inputs, as requested, in formulating both development, technical cooperation and emergency project proposals to be submitted to regional office / potential donor agencies for financial support according to FAO’s procedures in coordination with relevant technical officers.
• •    Facilitate and Coordinate with AFAOR (P) on reporting to UN RCO and other UN agencies on FAO reporting and inputs.
• •    Contribute to the preparation of country briefs and comprehensive reports.
• •    Organize and attend briefing and debriefing for missions.
• •    Support FAOR in budget and inputs management.
• •    Oversee the project progress of assigned projects.
• •    Carry out any other related tasks as assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements :   

• •    University degree in Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Management, or a relevant field.
• •    At least 5 years of relevant experience in general project/office administrative, operation activities related to procurement, office management and financial support.
• •    Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limit knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese and Russian.

Technical/Functional Skills :

• •    Good commence of computer skill such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Power Point) or a relevant application.
• •    Knowledge of Operation and accounting, finance, and management.
• •    Knowledge of the administrative policies and procedures of the United Nations and International Organization.
• •    Proven capacity to conduct fieldwork and ability to work in teams and establish working relationships central and local government institutions and civil society organization.
• •    Prior experience with the UN and/or international organizations is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2401799