Programme Assistant

The Forestry Division (NFO) leads FAO’s work in promoting sustainable forest management and providing leadership on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of forestry, including its contributions to poverty reduction and food security and nutrition. It liaises with Members, civil society and the private sector in aspects ranging from development of effective forest policies to forest conservation and management issues and strengthens the role of forests in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Division also collects, analyses and disseminates information on the world’s forest resources and on the production, trade and consumption of wood and non-wood forest products.

The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with Centres/Divisions/Offices at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities. RAP also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAP develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The post is located in the Halting Deforestation, Degradation and Emissions Team of the Forestry Division (NFO) and based in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok, Thailand. This Team supports developing countries in their efforts to mitigate climate change through the implementation of Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD)+ activities while contributing to national sustainable development.

The Programme Assistant performs a wide range of routine administrative and financial functions in support of the delivery of the organizational unit’s programme and projects.

The Programme Assistant reports to the Forestry Officer in RAP and receives guidance from other staff members from the relevant areas. He/she acts independently in routine matters. Supervision received is focused on the quality of the work performed and provides for on-the-job learning.

The Programme Assistant interacts with a wide variety of colleagues within the work unit and with immediate clients within the Organization, providing routine administrative and financial services.

Functions/Results:

• •    Collect and compile data on programme and or project activities to support reporting and delivery.
• •    Initiate and follow up on administrative and financial actions related to staff management, affiliate workforce support, travel, payments, etc.
• •    Review and prepare routine documentation and correspondence related to assigned procurement actions.
• •    Provide information on programme and/or project expenditures and status of programme and /or project budget.
• •    Process, format and proof-read reports, documents, publications and correspondence related to the work of the unit from draft texts.
• •    Review and direct correspondence, calls and queries to appropriate contacts; provide for background information; respond to routine enquiries.
• •    Make arrangements for meetings, seminars and events: implement logistics, prepare correspondence, compile and distribute documents, make administrative arrangements.
• •    Perform other duties as required.

Impact of Work:

• The incumbent’s work impacts on the timely and efficient delivery of the immediate work unit’s programme.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:

Minimum Requirements:

Education:

• Secondary School Education.

Experience:

• Three years of relevant experience in financial and/or administrative support work.

Languages:

• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English.

IT Skills:

• Good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.

Residency:

• General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. “Commuting distance” means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.

Technical Skills:

• Good knowledge of corporate information systems.
• Good knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations.
• Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards.

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2401049