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.
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty (GAAHP) initiated under the G20 Presidency of Brazil aims at providing sustained, high-level political impetus to eradicate poverty, hunger, and malnutrition worldwide. Under the Alliance, a Policy Basket will provide a menu of policy instruments proven to have a positive impact on reducing hunger, food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty that can be adapted to national or subnational contexts, and whose adaptation and implementation can be supported, upon the request of a Global Alliance member.
These policy interventions will be supported through a combination of three pillars: i) a National Pillar for domestic policy and programme implementation and/or direct country-to-country support and lesson sharing; ii) a Financial support pillar for multilateral and bilateral funding, development finance, innovative financial mechanisms, climate funding, philanthropy and others; and iii) a Knowledge pillar where institutions offer technical assistance and cooperation, capacity building and knowledge sharing. Global Alliance members can both provide and request support for any of these components.
The Global Alliance is implemented through a Support Mechanism hosted by FAO to create synergies and leverage technical expertise of the UN Development System and its existing footprint of UN agencies, funds, and programmes. The Support Mechanism will consist of:
• a Rome Office based at FAO that will focus on the knowledge and finance pillars;
• three Global South Offices in Brasilia, Addis Ababa and Bangkok that will focus on the national and knowledge pillars; and
• a Washington Office that will focus on the finance pillar and relevant technical expertise and contributions by the International Financial Institutions (IFIs).
All five offices will work under the overall leadership of the Director of the Support Mechanism of the Global Alliance, who will lead the Support Mechanism on delivering the priorities established by the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty in accordance with FAO’s rules and procedures. This Support Mechanism shall remain autonomous from the hosting organization as an independent mechanism that will follow the mandate and approach contained in the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty´s Terms of Reference and Governance Framework as well as the guidance from the Board of Champions and Core Group of the Global Alliance.
This position is part of Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division, ESP, hosted at the Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA) in Brasília, Brazil.
Main Purpose
The Programme Assistant is responsible for the coordination of specialized and complex processes and activities in support of the delivery of the GAAHP work programme, planning and budgeting activities. He/she provides procedural guidance to managers and staff.
Supervision Received/Exercised
The Programme Assistant works under the general supervision of one or more professional staff and reports to the Director, Support Mechanism of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. The incumbent operates independently and takes decisions on work priorities. Supervision received is focused on the quality of work outputs. He/she provides guidance and advice to other programme support staff.
Working Relationships
The Programme Assistant works closely with a wide range of colleagues in the GAAHP and with client offices, ensuring the consistency and quality of programme/project support services provided by the Office.
Key Functions/Results
• Monitor both Regular Programme and Project budgets, ensuring that funds are properly allocated and reported upon, and take corrective action if required; inform management of any budget issues that may require attention.
• Provide support to budget holders in the preparation of the Periodic Budgetary Reports
• Prepare project budget revisions in consultation with budget holders.
• Respond to a variety of routine queries and provide clarifications on programme and project matters; inform management and team members of processes, procedures and timeframes to secure administrative services needed for programme/project execution; initiate correspondence to verify data, obtain additional information on transactions and budgetary matters.
• Review data quality and maintain office records and reference files on various subjects; compile and synthesize data from various sources to support financial analyses on programme/project activities; generate periodic or ad-hoc management reports.
• Coordinate the full array of administrative and financial actions related to staff management, non-staff support, travel, payments and procurement.
• Provide procedural guidance to junior Programme Assistants and other staff in the work unit.
• Review and make recommendations to improve current programme/project administration procedures and processes.
• Perform other functions as required.
Impact of Work
The incumbent's work impacts directly on the smooth operations and performance of the division's programme/project activities. He/she plays a lead role in the provision of programme support services for successful achievement of the organizational unit's mandate.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Education: Secondary School Education.
Experience: Four years of relevant experience in the provision of programme/projects support services.
Languages: Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English.
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
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical Skills
• Very good knowledge of corporate information systems.
• Very good knowledge of programme and budget processes and procedures.
• Very good knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations.
• Very good knowledge of communication and documentation standards.
Desirable Qualifications and Skills
• Intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of one of the other working languages of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Experience in organizing multi-country events and respective protocol requirements.
• Experience in programme support and business operations areas; planning, budgeting, financial reports preparation, expenditure forecasting, and general administration.
• A certification course/programme in supply chain management, business administration, finance or accounting is an asset.