Operations Analyst

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 is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
(i) advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii) provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
(iii) assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
(iv) position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
(v) ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management

FAO's office for Lebanon is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing countrywide food, agriculture and rural development priorities under Lebanon. It develops and maintains relations with the relevant Ministries at country level. This position is based in FAO Representation in Beirut, Lebanon. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and direct supervision of the Operations Specialist and in close coordination with other Units and colleagues in the office.

Technical Focus

Support the effective and timely implementation of FAO’s programme at country level.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Under the supervision and guidance of the Operations Specialist, analyse and manage the operational aspects of an assigned portfolio of projects (primarily TCPs and FBAs), ensuring effective day-to-day implementation in line with project documents, workplans, and FAO and Donor rules and procedures, and provides regular updates, analytical briefs and recommendations to support informed decision-making, ensuring alignment with overall portfolio priorities.
• Analyse all projects operational matters and day-to-day implementation, supporting the operations specialist in ensuring timely coordination with programme and administrative units, proactive follow-up on pending actions, and resolution of operational issues;
• Provide secretarial support to project task force meetings, including meeting scheduling, contributing to discussions and decision-making, accurate minute-taking, and ensuring timely follow-up on agreed action points;
• Analyse project needs in coordination with project managers and supports the operations specialist in ensuring the timely provision of inputs for personnel, technical support services, sub-contracts, training, equipment/supplies and other needs related to project operations;
• Monitor project budgets, financial delivery, commitments, and forecasts, including regular updating of financial reports and handling requests from project/programme teams (budgets, LoAs, PRs, etc.); identifying gaps, risks, or inconsistencies and proposes corrective actions to ensure effective implementation;
• Support and contribute to project planning and workplan monitoring, tracking progress and timelines, and identifying bottlenecks and recommending corrective measures to overcome operational constraints;
• Contribute to the preparation and review of budgets and budget revisions, ensuring correct application of financial rules, donor requirements, and internal accounting structures, and supporting the consolidation of justification notes, as required;
• Contribute to the timely preparation and submission of project progress and terminal reports, ensuring compliance with funding agreements, and supports the preparation of analytical reports at portfolio level;
• Ensure effective project lifecycle management in FAO corporate systems (e.g. FPMIS), including project opening, monitoring, revision, and closure, and ensures quality assurance processes, and ensuring alignment with FAO procedures prior to final review by the Operationg Specialist;
• Review new and amended LoAs in coordination with the Operations Specialist, providing preliminary comments and confirming funding availability prior to Quality Assurance review;
• Monitor LoA milestones and expiration schedules by tracking upcoming deadlines and issuing timely reminders to LoA Responsible Officers in coordination with the Procurement Unit to ensure follow-up on deliverables, reports, and other contractual requirements, and perform additional operational and quality assurance support functions as needed.
• Perform other operational and analytical support functions as required, including acting as alternate to the Operations Specialist during absences to ensure continuity of operations
• Any other tasks, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in development, agriculture development, economics, public business, or business administration or a related field.
• 5 years of relevant experience in providing operational support to projects and proven experience in managing operational aspects of project implementation, including coordination, budgeting, and compliance with organizational rules and procedures
• Working knowledge of English (level C)
• National of Lebanon

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated ability to analyze problems, make appropriate recommendations, effective decisions;
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Extent and relevance of experience in UN Agencies and/or INGOs
• Familiarity with project cycle, finance, asset and human resources management tools
• Familiarity with Office tools including virtual/teleworking platforms;

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION