Assistant National Operations Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a technical knowledge-based organization marching forward with policy dialogues and advocating for the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all ; and, the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations in the underdeveloped countries. Our three main goals are: the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all; and, the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations

Reporting Lines

This is a SC 7 position under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Bangladesh, the direct supervision of the International Operations Specialist, and daily oversight by the Resilience Manager or Project Manager, and in close collaboration with the respective FAO Bangladesh Programme and Administrative Units.

Technical Focus

Provide programmatic management support for smooth day-to-day implementation of various projects in FAO Bangladesh.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Works closely with the International Operations Specialist to support the day-to-day implementation of projects through different stages of the Project Life Cycle and ensure smooth running of operational matters.
• Participates in the preparation of the annual work plan, cost estimates, and ensures conduct limited surveys to understand the market in preparing such estimates.
• Ensure all plans (travel, work & procurement plans) are reviewed e on a quarterly basis and continuously updated in line with the organization rules and procedures.
• Ensures all logistical activities for the projects (resilience and emergency) are well implemented and all relevant project documents relating to vehicles are kept in the representation.
• Maintains detailed knowledge of the project documents of the assigned project/s and assist in preparation of activity wise budgets, concept notes, specifications and LOAs with various service providers as may be identified from time to time.
• Supports in the Monitoring of the Letters of Agreement (LOA) and contracts with the service providers and conducts compliance missions to certify the service providers comply with the terms of the agreements.
• Reviews all requests by the project team to ensure they are in line with project document and the approved work plans, and processes such requests in line with FAO procedures with the support of the Project Assistant and the Administrative Assistant of the project.
• Supports in recruitment processes at the project level.
• Supports project field missions and other in-country missions including coordination/ organizing and attending briefing and debriefing for missions – regularly checks with FAOR calendar to ensure briefing and debriefing meetings are organized in a timely manner.
• Maintains a database of all contracts and support in contracts & Letter of Agreement administration and management including spot checks of the of the implementing partners.
• Undertakes the planning, organizing and coordinating of workshops, trainings, field missions and other events of the project in close consultation with the project staff.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in business administration, public management, or discipline relevant to the mandate of the Organization;
• At least 5 years of related professional experience in field programme operations and management;
• Demonstrated ability to perform under minimal supervision;
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Bangladesh

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

• Previous field project management experience
• Record of successful implementation support to related projects
• Demonstrated ability to perform under minimal supervision