Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

Programme Assistant will be assigned in Astana, Kazakhstan and will provide support to the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Reporting Lines

Programme Assistant will work under the overall supervision of Head of the Country office and will receive day-to-day guidance of Programme Officer/Team Leader

Technical Focus

Provide programme assistance to the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    In line with the revised Project Cycle, help ensure data concerning the office’s field programme portfolio is up-to-date in the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS), with relevant project documentation uploaded as appropriate;
•    Assist in following up on administrative and financial actions related to field programme/project staff/NHSR recruitment, management and support; travel; payments; and procurement;
•    Make arrangements for field programme-related meetings, seminars and events: implement logistics, prepare correspondence, compile and distribute documents, make administrative arrangements;
•    Process, format and proof-read project/programme reports, documents, publications and correspondence from draft texts, related to the field programme;
•    Review and direct correspondence, calls and queries to appropriate contacts; provide background information; respond to routine enquiries related to project implementation;
•    Support the FAO Kazakhstan office in following up with UNDP for the timely release of payments and disbursing office/projects expenditures in line with ASRs (Agency Service Requests) issued by FAO HQ/REU/SEC;
•    Collect and compile data on programme/project activities to support reporting on programme/ project, provide information on programme/ project expenditures and status of programme/ project budget;
•    Support in preparing background material, working papers, and tables for briefings, review sessions, and meetings.
•    Prepare correspondence to verify data, answer queries, and obtain additional information on transactions and operational matters, as required.
•    Support in carrying out other specific operational tasks for programme/project implementation as requested.
•    Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    University degree in agriculture, economics, business administration, agricultural economics or any other field related to the work of the Organization;
•    At least three years of relevant experience in the above mentioned areas;
•    Working knowledge of English, Russian and Kazakh;
•    National of Kazakhstan or resident in the country with a regular residence/work permit in Kazakhstan.

FAO Core Competencies

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

 
Selection Criteria

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