National Operations Officer

FAO's Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). It assists the FAO Representations in the subregion with addressing subregional food security, agriculture and rural development issues at country level. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for SAP.

The position is located in the Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands in Apia, Samoa.

The National Operations Officer is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the field projects assigned and will provide assistance in ensuring effective and efficient project planning, implementation, progress monitoring, reporting and outcome evaluation.

The National Operations Officer reports to the FAO Subregional Coordinator.

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

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

• Acts as a focal point for all matters related to the daily operation of the field project(s) assigned;
• Contributes to the preparation and/or assessment of new programme and project proposals, and reviews them for the purpose of operational clearance, with a view to assessing their operational feasibility;
• Plans and prepares project task force consultations on behalf of the FAO Representative/Budget Holder and ensures proper secretarial support for such meetings;
• 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;
• Manages 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 agreement) as well as preparing analytical reports on the Representation’s portfolio as a whole;
• Coordinates actions concerning the timely completion/closure of field projects, including identification of project follow-up requirements;
• Ensures the quality of data/documentation in the Field Programme Management Information System (FPMIS) for all pipeline and operational field projects in the country.

• National of Samoa
• Advanced university degree in a field related to business or public administration
• Two years of relevant experience in office management, administration, accounting and/or audit, budget or finance
• Working knowledge (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)

• Results Focus
• Team Work
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• 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