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 agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The Land and Water Division (NSL) aims at enhancing the agricultural productivity and advancing the sustainable use of land, soil and water resources through their improved tenure, management, development and conservation. It provides technical and financial assistance to member countries in developing policies, programmes, best practices and management tools to address the challenges they face in ensuring productive and efficient use of land and water resources in order to meet present and future demands for agricultural products, while enduring the long-term sustainability of the land, soil and water quantity and quality. It promotes equitable access to and sustainable management of these natural resources with a view to enhancing productivity, livelihoods, social equality and ecosystem health – services.

The post is located in the Land and Water Division (NSL) and based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Main Purpose

The Programme Associate plays a lead role in the coordination of programme/projects support services for the office. He/she performs a broad range of programme, planning and budgeting activities requiring in-depth analysis and interpretation of relevant policies, procedures and practices. The incumbent provides procedural guidance to managers and staff in the office or location.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Programme Associate reports to the Director, NSL.

Work is performed autonomously, showing a high degree of initiative and independent judgment. Supervision received is focused on facilitating service delivery. The incumbent provides guidance and training to programme support staff in the office.

Working Relationships

The Programme Associate maintains a wide range of contacts with managers, staff and stakeholders inside and outside the office. The incumbent collaborates closely with colleagues in other offices and the corporate services, ensuring the quality and consistency of programme/projects support services.

Key Functions/Results

•    Coordinate the preparation, submission, revision and follow-up of Divisional/Office budget, as well as the monitoring and provision of information on its implementation.
•    Coordinate, review and analyse the Periodic Budgetary Reports as needed.
•    Assemble and synthesize data from corporate and office databases to facilitate the analysis of programmes, projects or activities, and to draft periodic or ad hoc management reports.
•    Monitor projects and ensure the maintenance and retrieval of programming reference material, documentation, data and information.
•    Consolidate and monitor various reports on human resources planning and expenditures, the use of non-staff resources, communication and publishing plans, IT plans and travel schedules.
•    Screen incoming correspondence to identify issues requiring further attention and draft related correspondence.
•    Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing across the divisions/offices through training of staff and briefing of budget holders on administrative/budgetary/planning/programming/financial procedures and processes.
•    Review current processes and make recommendations to improve programme/projects administration procedures.
•    Perform other functions as required.

Impact of Work

The incumbent’s work impacts directly on the smooth and efficient operations of the programme/project activities of the office. He/she plays a lead role in the coordination and provision of the programme support services for the successful achievement of the office’s mandate.
He/she plays a pro-active role in the successful achievement of the office’s mandate.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Education: Secondary School Education.
Experience: Five years of experience in administrative/financial/planning/programming/budgeting activities.
Languages: Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
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.

Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Team Work
•    Communication
•    Building effective relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical 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.
•    Thorough knowledge of the MS507 for Letter of Agreement (LOA) Quality Assurance.
•    Thorough knowledge of Project Cycle, Trust Funds activities (budget revision/opening/closure of projects).
•    Thorough knowledge of Flexi Time Report, Fraud Prevention Plan, Business for Continuity, Risk Management Plan.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills

•    Very good knowledge of the corporate structure and processes, strategic work planning and operational monitoring.
•    Ability to apply knowledge of various FAO financial and budgetary rules and regulations in all work situations.
•    Very good knowledge of corporate information systems such as Programme Planning, Implementation Reporting and Evaluation Support System (PIRES), Electronic Budget Maintenance Module (eBMM), Integrated Management Information System (iMIS), Global Resource Management Systems (GRMS)/Oracle and Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS).
•    Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation.
•    Extent of knowledge of planning and budgetary processes and associated tools
•    Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
•    Knowledge and experience of Audit and EC Verification processes.
•    Ability to work under minimal supervision taking ownership of delegated responsibilities.
•    Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of another official FAO language.