National Operations Officer

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO Country Offices 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

The National Operations Officer reports to the FAO Representative (FAOR). He/she receives technical guidance upon request from the Field Programme Support and Monitoring Officer (FPSMO) and Senior Field Programme Officer (SFPO) in the relevant Subregional and Regional Offices.

Technical Focus

Programme development, coordination and operational assistance based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language and institutions of the country of assignment. Ensure the smooth functioning of projects operations, consistent service delivery and continuous evaluation and readjustment/improvement of the operational environment to reflect the FAOR's evolving needs.

Key Results

Effective and efficient coordination and provision of the technical and operational support of the programme and project activities of the FAO Representation.

Key Functions

• Acts as a focal point for all matters related to the daily operation of the field project(s) assigned

• Prepares project task force meetings and ensures the availability of secretarial support

• Ensures timely provision of inputs for personnel, technical support services, subcontracts, training, equipment/supplies and other needs related to project operations

• Participates in the preparation of project work plans, monitors progress and where necessary, identifies corrective measures to overcome operational constraints

• Assists with the management of the project budget and prepares revisions as required

• Coordinates the timely preparation and submission of project progress and terminal reports required (as specified in the project agreements), as well as contributing to the preparation of analytical reports on the Representation's portfolio as a whole

• Coordinates actions related to timely field project completion/closure, including identification of project follow-up requirements

• Contributes to the preparation and/or assessment of new projects

• Ensures the quality of data/documentation in the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS) for all pipeline and operational field projects in the country

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National of the country of assignment

• Advanced university degree in a field related to business or public administration and one year of relevant experience in office management, administration, accounting and/or audit, budget or finance

• Level C of the official communication language used for FAO communication with the country (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian)

• Working knowledge of the local language (if not English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese)

• Limited knowledge (Level B) of English (if the main communication language is French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese)

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.

• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project management

• Extent and relevance of experience in public administration

• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of technical programmes, operational guidelines and programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO would be considered an asset