Programme Officer

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international treaty ratified by 185 countries or contracting parties, which aims to protect the world’s cultivated and wild plants by preventing the introduction and spread of plant pests. The IPPC is a Convention approved by the FAO Conference in adherence with Article XIV of the Constitution of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The IPPC Secretariat is hosted by FAO and is responsible for facilitating the implementation of the Convention, as well as the development and implementation of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) to fulfil the IPPC’s mandates.

The post is located in the IPPC Secretariat within NSP at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy

Reporting Lines:

The Programme Officer reports to the Secretary, IPPC.

Technical Focus:

Programme, budget and administrative management.

Key Results:

Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate assigned programme/projects.

Key Functions:

• Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation.
• Reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies, etc.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. drafts background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).

Specific Functions:

• Supports the development of the IPPC Secretariat Work Plan and Budget in collaboration with IPPC Secretariat Team Leads and the IPPC Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Bureau and Financial Committee (FC) members.
• Develops and implements work programme and budgetary monitoring tools and processes to facilitate financial management, planning and monitoring.
• Supports financial and budget planning, monitoring and reporting, including analysing budget and financial information and performance to support decisions and timely actions.
• Liaises with and provides support to the budget holders for effective budget planning, monitoring, adjustments and consistency with the Programme of Work and Budget.
• Supports and/or acts as budget holders in the project cycle for all programme/projects at all stages, ensuring a results-based focus and adherence to FAO procedures and processes.
• Collaborates with internal and/or external counterparts on administrative and financial matters related to the work programme of IPPC, as required.
• Represent the IPPC in relevant FAO and other meetings and provide specialized financial advice to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Provides support in organization of the IPPC Governing Bodies meetings and coordinates efforts regarding ePhyto Sustainable Funding Solution initiative.
• Liaises with the Resource Mobilization Division (PSR) concerning interactions with donors to ensure compliance with FAO’s financial and administrative procedures.
• Works closely with the Corporate Logistics and Operational Support stream (CS) on financial and administrative procedures, as needed.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced university degree in business administration or public administration, social science, political science, international development, international relations or a related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in project or programme management, administration or related area.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2402098