Back Project Operations Specialist (Beneficiary Grants and other operational modalities), Rome, Italy

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT : 2100997

Project Operations Specialist (Beneficiary Grants and other operational modalities)

Job Posting: 26/Mar/2021

Closure Date: 09/Apr/2021, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : PSS

Job Type: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition : Consultant

Grade Level : N/A

Primary Location: Italy-Rome

Duration : 11 months

Post Number : N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and nationality

People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting

In the partnerships and outreach stream, the Project Support Services Division (PSS) has the lead responsibility for ensuring that corporate guidance on Project Cycle and TCP, New Operational Modalities and Due Diligence are fit for purpose and contribute as part of a reinvigorated business environment to the Strategic Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Director, PSS, leads the Organization's work in oversight and monitoring of the field programme; project cycle management; management of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP); prospect research and review of partnerships with non-state actors; and the development and support to new operational modalities.

The consultancy position is located in the New Operational Modalities Unit, which facilitates the efficient and effective delivery of the FAO field programme through new working methodologies such as OPIM, Cash Transfers, Vouchers and Grants to beneficiaries. The work of the Unit is strongly field-focused, seeking to provide new or update/adapt policies, procedures, training and tools that maximize the effectiveness of FAO offices implementing projects, in a broad variety of contexts, respond to users' needs and corporate requirements.

Reporting Lines

The Consultant reports to the Programme Officer (Cash and Financial Assistance).

Technical Focus

Operational modalities and procedures, policy setting, quality assurance, compliance and capacity development, with focus on Grants and cash and vouchers.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Officer / Head of the New Operational Modalities Team, Project Support Division, the direct supervision of the Programme Officer for Cash & Financial Assistance and in close collaboration with other organizational units involved in the delivery of Beneficiary Grants, Vouchers and Cash Transfer operational modalities within FAO, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Primarily provide programmatic and operational support for the monitoring and delivery of projects with Direct-to-Beneficiary Grants components, globally, and of Cash and Voucher based projects as needed.
• Lead or contribute to the development of corporate policies and procedures governing the Beneficiary Grants modality, with a focus on efficiency, effectiveness and risk management in project implementation;
• Monitor compliance of Grants Projects with these corporate policies and procedures, globally, escalating any issues to senior management proposing remedies where appropriate;
• Analyse performance of Grants Projects, globally, proposing and drafting alterations to corporate policies and procedures where appropriate;
• Monitor and manage the corporate General Ledger account lines dedicated to the Grants modality, ensuring that financial commitments, expenditures and other processes are reflected appropriately at the corporate level.
• Provide quality assurance review and clearance of high-value financial commitments relating to the Grants modality, prior to approval by the appropriate Authorized Official in Headquarters;
• Provide quality assurance and operational review of any Deviation Requests relating to Grants policy;
• Deliver operational guidance to FAO offices implementing Grants Projects, in coordination with technical units and other internal stakeholders and duty-bearers;
• Develop operational capacity building products relating to the Grants modality, including: FAO Handbook pages; eLearning; webinars or video series; and guidance notes;
• Develop and deliver operational trainings for FAO offices on the Grants modality, both remotely and in-person;
• Develop and maintain operational tools for implementation of the Grants modality;
• Contribute to/draft a Report on implementation aspects (what works well, what needs improvement) after 6 months, with recommendations;
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in development studies, business or public administration, political science, law, public policy, international relations or another field relevant to the work of the Organisation.
• At least five years of relevant experience, including at least two at the international level.
• Working knowledge of English with additional limited knowledge of another FAO official language.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge of Risk Based Management Approach and Results Based Management.
• Familiarity with FAO Project Cycle, administrative management practices and operational modalities.
• Demonstrated analytical skills.
• Drafting skills in English.

Selection Criteria

• Practical knowledge and/or previous experience using Grants (e.g. to farmers, organizations, businesses) as a project-implementation modality.
• Technical knowledge of best practices in using Grants or other financial assistance modalities as a project-implementation modality;
• Knowledge of risk-based management approaches, plus practical experience in their use.
• Previous experience working in a project or operational management position in an international context.
• Fluency in English, with additional limited knowledge of another FAO official language.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)

Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list If you are in possession of language certificate/s from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT), please attach the certificate/s when submitting the application.

For more information, visit the FAO employment website

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only applications received through the recruitment portal will be considered.

We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline

If you need help please contact: [email protected]

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

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