Programme Officer
Rome
- Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Location: Rome
- Grade: Junior level - P-2, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
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Occupational Groups:
- Project and Programme Management
- Closing Date: 2026-01-21
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 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 these issues 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 Environmental 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 (ITPGRFA) as well as FAO's work on environmental safeguards and leads the Programme Priority Areas on Climate Change (PPA BE1) and Bioeconomy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture (PPA BE2).
The post is located in the OCB Programme Support Hub at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Programme Support Hub is responsible for undertaking and supporting cross-cutting scientific and technical analysis on climate, biodiversity and environment in support of OCB's actions and support to countries. The programme hub also undertakes all required coordination and monitoring of administrative and financial procedures for OCB regular programme and trust fund portfolio and initiatives.
Reporting Lines
The Programme Officer reports to the Director of OCB.
Technical Focus
OCB programme and budget. Financial management and monitoring of OCB regular programme and trust fund resources, including relevant GEF and GCF funds and fees.
Key Results
Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate assigned programmes/projects.
Key Functions
Carries out basic research on selected aspects of programmes, operations and other activities; collects, analyses and presents statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources.
Provides substantive support for policy coordination and evaluation functions, including the review and analysis of emerging development issues and trends, participation in impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
Participates in survey initiatives; supports data collection, reviews, analyses and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares preliminary conclusions.
Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
Undertakes outreach activities; participates in the development of training workshops, seminars; participates in and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
Participates in field missions, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection, etc.
Monitors activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and preparation of related documents/reports (work programme, programme budget.), as necessary.
Specific Functions
Supports the review and analyses of the GEF fees and programme funds managed by OCB.
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Manages budget and undertake the analysis of GEF IP and related funds and when required provides support in
budget preparation and review, as well as supporting TF related initiatives executed by OCB.
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Serves as the focal point and resource person in financial resources management, monitoring and reporting at
OCB Programme Support Hub.
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Monitors budget and allotments (programme of work and budget, trust funds and any other related
funds by a) ensuring consistency with policy, guidelines, rules and regulations and agreed expenditures b)
overseeing revision of budget and projects; c) controlling regular and project budget expenditures; d) maintaining
and updating information on the status of contributions, allotments, fees and TSS; e) reviewing financial aspects of
the project-related agreements; f) reviewing and certifying obligations and disbursements; g) overseeing
administrative and financial action for directly supervised internal projects; h) overseeing and monitoring the
actions required for closure of completed projects; i) providing information to Programme Managers and Officers
of changes in policy guidelines.
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Collects, reviews for accuracy and analyses financial information and internal budgetary and financial controls to
support the delivery of services/activities, producing periodic budgetary reports, monthly monitoring of programme
budget delivery, financial resource statements and planning reports.
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Supports in liaising with FAO Corporate units in regard to budget planning, reporting and management, including
the implementation of the Programme of Work and Budget.
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Supports and provides direct professional guidance in project budget formulation, operational clearance,
monitoring and reporting procedures and facilitating the necessary administrative measures required after
project/revision approval.
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Analyzes and tracks resource flows, prepares regular analytical internal reports on the use/delivery of regular
programme and project funds, flags at risk situations, and engages with the director's office, Budget Holders, Lead
Technical Officers, Team Leaders and administrative staff for appropriate follow-up actions and solutions.
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As part of the Programme Support Hub, supports OCB Management and Team Leaders in soliciting and preparing
interim and terminal financial reports, reviewing and reconciling reports before final submissions to the Office of
Strategic Planning.
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Participates in the development of improved work methods and procedures and contribute to capacity
Development activities, training workshops, and development of guidelines on FAO's procedures.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) inbusiness or public administration, accounting, finance or a related field.
Three years of relevant experience and progressively responsible work experience in budget management or related areas.
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
Experience with complex data analysis, reconciliations and corporate reporting.
Experience in an international organization.
Extent and relevance of experience in the field of administration, finance, and/or management.
Extent and relevance of experience in resource and financial management, analysis, and planning.
Extent of knowledge of planning and budgetary processes.
Experience with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and/or an Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) system is considered an asset.
Demonstrated knowledge of UN and/or FAO financial policies, procedures, tools, systems and project cycle, 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.