Programme Officer
Rome
- Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Location: Rome
- Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
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Occupational Groups:
- Project and Programme Management
- Closing Date: 2026-01-07
IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.
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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.
Organizational Setting
The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) provides investment and finance solutions that lead to more efficient, sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. Working in over 120 countries, the Centre provides a full suite of investment and finance support to FAO Members. It partners with governments, international and national financing institutions, the private sector and farmers, research institutions and academia to improve the quality and quantity of agrifood investment. The Centre's four main areas of work include support to strategic investment planning and policy, public investment, private investment, and innovative finance. These are complemented by the knowledge for investment and capacity development for investment programmes that serve to share knowledge, learn and build capacities at country level. For additional information on the FAO Investment Centre, its activities, partners and the organizational structure please visit the following link.
The post is located in the Office of the Director, (CFID) of the FAO Investment Centre (CFI) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Reporting Lines
The Programme Officer reports to the Director and works in close collaboration with the Deputy Directors and Services Chiefs.
Technical Focus
Provision of programmatic support to the implementation of strategies and programmes with partners, business development and information and communication material for meetings and events.
Key Results
Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate assigned activities related to the Centre’s work in support to public and private agrifood investments.
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 and monitoring of the Centre's strategy and programmes and prepares related communication material for meetings with internal and external partners, and events.
Supports the development and monitoring of the Centre’s collaboration with financial partners and contributes to the development of new memorandums of understanding and cooperation agreements with these partners.
Supports the preparation of new or modified contractual arrangements with new and existing partners.
Supports the management of investment operations (projects and programmes), assignments or initiatives led by the Office of the Director.
Supports CFI operations and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Supports the preparation of corporate reporting requirements such as the risk log and fraud prevention plans.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) 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 and administration at national and international levels, including exposure to investment and finance support solutions and knowledge of public and private investment processes.
Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies
Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building effective relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
Extent and relevance of experience in management support to investment programmes/projects in developing countries and namely for planning, monitoring and reporting.
Extent and relevance of experience in the field of administration, finance and management related to public and private investment operations.
Extent of knowledge of the procedures of FAO's main development partners, in particular the World Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and other partner international financial institutions (IFIs).
Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation.
Knowledge of investment and finance solutions with international financing institutions and other bilateral donors is considered an asset.
Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.
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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
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- Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
- FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include\:
• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct.
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• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.