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 Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) works to ensure that countries and stakeholders respond to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. OCB provides a cross organizational coordination role on issues related to climate change, biodiversity and the environment and is the focal point to major multilateral environmental agreements including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Office also assists FAO Members in their responses towards the interlinked challenges of food security, climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation including through facilitating access to climate and environmental financing (such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF)). In addition, OCB hosts the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme, the Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture as well as FAO's work on environmental safeguards.
This position is located in the FAO-GEF Coordination Unit (GCU) of OCB at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Main Purpose
The Programme Assistant performs a wide range of routine administrative and financial functions in support of the delivery of the organizational unit's programme and projects.
Supervision Received/Exercised
The Programme Assistant reports the Deputy Director, OCB.
He/she acts independently in routine matters. Supervision received is focused on the quality of the work performed and provides for on-the-job learning.
Working Relationships
The Programme Assistant interacts with a wide variety of colleagues within the work unit and with immediate clients within the Organization, providing routine administrative and financial services.
Key Functions/Results
• Collect and compile data on programme and or project activities to support reporting and delivery.
• Initiate and follow up on administrative and financial actions related to staff management, affiliate workforce support, travel, payments, etc.
• Review and prepare routine documentation and correspondence related to assigned procurement actions.
• Provide information on programme and/or project expenditures and status of programme and /or project budget.
• Process, format and proof-read reports, documents, publications and correspondence related to the work of the unit from draft texts.
• Review and direct correspondence, calls and queries to appropriate contacts; provide background information; respond to routine enquiries.
• Make arrangements for meetings, seminars and events: implement logistics, prepare correspondence, compile and distribute documents, make administrative arrangements.
• Perform other duties as required.
Impact Of Work
The incumbent's work impacts on the timely and efficient delivery of the immediate work unit's programme.
Minimum Requirements
Education: Secondary School Education.
Experience: Three years of relevant experience in financial and/or administrative support work.
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
• Good knowledge of corporate information systems.
• Good knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations.
• Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards.
Desirable Qualifications And Skills
• Good knowledge of the organizational structure.
• Intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Good knowledge of travel procedures and organization of workshops.
• Good knowledge of procurement procedure, in particular Letters of Agreement.
• Experience in providing support to multi-donor trust fund projects expenditures and status of project budget.
• Experience in multitasking against tight deadlines.