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 Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) coordinates FAO's work on various social dimensions including rural institutions, services, social protection, gender equality, decent rural employment, tenure rights and the right to food.
The post is located in the Front Office of the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) 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 of ESP.
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.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of one of the other FAO official languages (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.
Desirable Qualifications And Skills
• Demonstrated understanding of the implications of different funding sources for project budgets and management.
• Knowledge of the processing of secondments of staff members, Technical Support Services (TSS) claims and funding changes for staff and affiliate workforce (NSHR).
• Knowledge of processing various types of accounting adjustments.
• Ability to develop and maintain plans for key administrative processes (human resources, travel and procurement).
• Experience in mentoring and training staff.
• Very good knowledge of corporate information systems.