Programme Assistant

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 agri-food systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025) facilitates, coordinates and manages all technical and advisory services to be provided by FAO to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA) and its sister agencies. Within the framework of the UTF Technical Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering the period 2019-2025 signed on February 13, 2019 between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represented by MoEWA, and FAO, the UTF projects “UTF/SAU/054/SAU: Enhancing National capacities for Evidence-based Irrigation Management “UTF/SAU/053/SAU: Promoting efficient irrigation and water productivity amongst farmers have been approved by the FAO and Saudi Irrigation Organization (SIO). The Project, developed jointly by SIO and FAO focuses directly on supporting the implementation of the Saudi Irrigation Organization Corporate Strategy, which was developed within the context of the Saudi Vision 2030 and aims at strengthening the capacity of SIO to improve irrigation efficiency.

An overall plan and budget are developed and approved, including activities and outputs that are expected to be accomplished under its different outputs. Requirements for the international and national technical expertise of specialized professionals, experts and support personal have been identified.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Assistant works under the overall supervision of Technical Advisor, UTF/SAU/054/SAU and direct supervision of the staff in project senior staff.

Technical Focus

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

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Gather technical information and reviewing technical documents
•    Provide inputs to support the preparations of relevant documents
•    Document meetings and follow-up on their actions
•    Support Technical Advisors, projects’ staff and consultants with data and information gathering, analysis and documentation and any other related tasks
•    Collect information on Projects implementation, events, and document information to help with Projects progress reporting
•    Input data into required FAO systems, including GRMS and FPMIS; update and maintain databases and retrieve information to produce reports, graphs, charts, and statistics;
•    Contribute to the preparation of analytical reports on the projects performances according to FAO and rules and regulations, as required;
•    Provide technical support for the preparation of communication materials for the dissemination of project results and achievements.
•    Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    National of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
•    University degree preferably in any branch of agriculture, development studies, political science, economics, social science, or other related field is required
•    Minimum 4 years of working experience in relevant field
•    Working knowledge (level C) in Arabic and Level B in in English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Thorough knowledge of corporate information systems
• Thorough knowledge of programme and budget processes and procedures
• Thorough knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations
• Thorough knowledge of communication and documentation standards Good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment
• Knowledge of the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS);
• Project management skills;
• Excellent communications skill, both orally and in writing, on technical materials for audiences at different levels of technical expertise

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION