Operations Specialist

_______________________________________________________________________________________

FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and nationality.

Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations

depending on the evolving needs of the Organization 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

• Extension and Nutrition (EN)
• Rural Finance (RF)
• Policy Support (PS)
• Biofortification (BF)
• Market Development (MD)
• Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation (MEAL)

• Financial management
• Budget Management
• Contract Management

• Manage day-to-day operational actions related to the market development component of APN-LFSP;
• Ensure the effective management of the project cycle in FPMIS including, financial monitoring, expenditure forecast and grant closure;
• Assist in the preparation of financial reports in non-FAO formats, by using the Results Based Budget modules in FPMIS;
• Assist in the review and rationalization of  expenditures to ensure adherence to project budgets;
• Compile documentation required for adjustments and liaise with Finance for processing;
• Assist in drafting initial project budgets, revisions and amendments;
• Map project expenditures in FPMIS;
• Assist with project audits by various stakeholders (both internal and independent);
• Participate in needs assessment and field monitoring missions;
• Assist the CTA in reviewing and approving proposals (narrative and financial donation applications), quarterly work plans and budgets submitted by the grantees and managing the provision of advance funding to grantees.
• Ensure the assessment of the institutional capacity of prospective grantees (due diligence assessments ) to effectively implement LFSP and recommend actions to strengthen their administrative and financial management systems prior to signing grant agreements will all grantees..
• Compile grant agreements for all grantees.
• Monitor the compliance of grantees in relation to their funding agreements, ensuring that all funds are acquitted within agreed timeframes and that financial reports are submitted in agreed formats and time frames.
• Compile monthly feedback to all grantees detailing any key issues relating to the financial and operational performance of each organisation.
• Provide necessary training, capacity building (including development of guidelines and policy documents) and information to grantees to enable compliance with the financial accounting, reporting and procurement requirements of their funding agreements and best practice.
• Ensure effective asset management for all grantees
• Contribute to the compilation of quarterly and annual reports for the programme.
• Work with team members in the preparation and completion of financial audits as required
• Assist in developing national staff capacity by providing trainings and close follow-up of tasks;
• Perform any other related duties

• Advanced University degree/Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Project Management  or related discipline;
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the field of Operations, Project Cycle Management, Compliance, Grant Management
• Working knowledge of English.
• Excellent communication skills, including ability to write concise technical reports.
• Being national of Zimbabwe

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

 Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO,

 _______________________________________________________________________________________

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing).
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list.
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
• Candidates with acceptable language certificate/s should upload them when submitting their application. For details, visit http\://www.fao.org/3/I8446EN/i8446en.pdf
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• For further information on categories, contract duration and honoraria, please refer to the Conditions page.

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT