Programme and Operations Specialist

The Programme and Operations Specialist will report directly to the FAO Representative working closely with the Assistant FAOR Administration, Assistant FAOR Programme, CTAs/STAs and Project Managers of the various projects within the country office. 

S/he will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to manage day-to-day operational work for the FAO Representation in support of the various projects implemented by the country office maintain close coordination with CTAs/STAs, Project Managers, all operations staffs for smooth programme implementation.

The incumbent will support the operations and programme related activities to the various projects implemented by the country office. Specific duties and responsibilities include the following: 

Responsibilities:

• Oversee, coordinate, and provide day-to-day operational support for implementation of the FAO country programme activities in Bangladesh, including supporting in the preparation of weekly work plans on quarterly basis or as otherwise requested by the FAOR;
• Support and guide National Operations Specialist/Assistants in the FAO Representation to ensure timely delivery of the necessary inputs and timely implementation of activities, consistent with the planned project work plans, detailed field activity plans.
• Coordinate with the Assistant FAO Representative Administration, the CTAs/STAs and other officer to ensure timely recruitment of consultants both short-term and long-term national project personnel.
• Ensure timely procurement plans are updated on a quarterly basis and the required and in close collaboration with the Procurement Unit in the Representation ensure the procurement of materials for various projects are requisitioned/ bought on time in line with the project work plans.
• Review official tender documents and submit for Procurement Authority for clearance and approval to launch the tendering process in line with the established procedure.
• Conduct research on relevant markets for identified programme goods to determine market availability, quality and competitiveness utilizing Expressions of Interest (EOI), particularly for potential Long-Term Agreements, ensuring transparency throughout the process, for regularly used services such as; transportation, seasonal agricultural inputs, emergency response inputs, survey and assessment work, production of visibility and communication materials, amongst others;
• Develop an action plan to achieve the outputs of the consultancy to be presented to the Procurement Unit and Programme Team;
• Supervise and monitor the implementation of efficient financial flow mechanisms and in ensuring timely availability of resources for the smooth implementation of project activities, including preparation and submission of Call for Funds and financial reporting to the donors.
• Oversee project budget monitoring, review and monitors project budget and prepare requests and revisions as required; remain alert about budget expenditures and resources; review project financial statements and transaction listings with a view to identifying errors in accounting against budget lines.
• Contribute to the preparation of project progress report and prepare project non-standard financial reports/statement and budget status reports as may be required from time to time.
• Advise project management as to major issues affecting operations to mitigate risk exposure and provide information on the necessary actions to be taken as well as keeping coordination and communication with respective FAOR Administrative units for timely programme implementation;
• Liaise with offices projects teams to track and monitor delivery of activities against project workplans, identifying areas where delivery is at risk of being delayed, and mitigate any impact on overall project delivery;
• Provide support to the overall field programme ensuring timely, fill data and information entry into the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS, GRMs, IMIs) of operational and pipeline projects
• Participate in and contribute to project formulation and preparation, including resource mobilization and donor liaison, appraisal and operational clearance of project documents, preparation of budgets, and project and programme formulation missions, as appropriate.
• Support the FAOR in the resource mobilization of the country office and development of country office resource mobilization strategy, where possible initiate contacts with potential partners to explore funding opportunities.
• Collaborate with all projects in reporting to government and the donors as stipulated in the various agreements by drafting such reports in close collaboration with the CTAs and project Managers and ensuring compliance with FAO Rules in such reporting.
• Regularly monitor FPMIS and other FAO tools to oversee and up-to-dating of project documents, budget and transaction listing.
• Initiate closure of LOAs and POs after completion of delivery and payment.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:

Minimum Requirements:

• University degree in Business Administration, Social Science, Finance, Business Development, Political Science, or related discipline
• At least 05 years of relevant professional experiences in support to operations, monitoring and reporting of Programmes/Projects/Activities
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese) for Consultants; Working knowledge (level C) of English for PSA Subscribers.

Technical/Functional Skills

• Ability to communicate clearly and to share knowledge and information;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure;
• Capacity to build effective relationships and partnerships with team members and service providers;
• Ability to take initiative and accomplish tasks in due time;
• Ability to be flexible in changing circumstances and to adapt the work approach in response to changes
• Extent and relevance of experience in management of computer programs such as Excel, Word, Power Point and statistical software.
• The candidate must demonstrate high communication skills both verbal and written, negotiation, leadership, vision, strategy, coordination and teamwork

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2401676