Operations Specialist

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

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

People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

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Organizational Setting

The Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER) is responsible for ensuring FAO's efforts to support countries and partners in preparing for and effectively responding to food and agricultural threats and crises. It is responsible for coordinating the development and maintenance of corporate tools and standards to enable Decentralized Offices to assist Members to prepare for, and respond to emergencies. OER ensures humanitarian policy coordination and knowledge, liaison with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee as well as with humanitarian resource partners, co-leadership with World Food Programme of the global Food Security Cluster, organizational preparedness, surge capacity and response to large-scale emergencies. OER supports food and nutrition security assessment and early warning activities related to emergency and humanitarian analysis and responses. OER plays a major role in the development and leadership of the Organization's programme to increase the resilience of livelihoods to food and agriculture threats and crises.

FAO’s Anticipatory Action system translates warnings at country level into concrete actions to reduce the impact of disasters on vulnerable and food insecure communities. Acting early, before a disaster has actually happened, or reached its peak is critical: it can save lives and protect livelihoods from the immediate shocks while increasing the resilience of local communities over time.

FAO’s Anticipatory Action programme is part of a growing number of approaches to prevent or mitigate food crises and is being implemented by various organizations worldwide. In FAO, this initiative is supported by a number of resource partners including the EU, Germany, Belgium and Sweden.

Reporting Lines

For activities carried out in Headquarters selected applicants will work under the direct supervision of the Evidence for Programming Team Leader and collaborate closely with OER Programme and Response Teams. When activities are carried out in member countries, selected applicants will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Representation in the relevant country of assignment, and work in close collaboration with the relevant FAO regional and/or sub-regional office, the OER Evidence for Programming Team Leader and Programme and Response Teams.

Technical Focus

Operational support to FAO’s Anticipatory Action agenda at global, regional, sub-regional and/or country level.

Tasks and responsibilities

Key functions include:

• Support the management of the SFERA Anticipation Action Window ;
• Handle day-to-day operational aspects of anticipatory action projects and programmes, in accordance with the project management cycle, to ensure the successful implementation of anticipatory actions.

Specific functions include:

• Participate in the design of anticipatory action projects and programmes, including the preparation and presentation of project proposals and fully-fledged project documents and obtain relevant clearances ;
• Ensure the timely provision of project inputs (personnel, technical support services, sub-contracts, training, equipment and supplies) directly by the Organization or, when appropriate, through contractors and in liaison with other support units ;
• Participate in the preparation of project work plans, monitors progress and identifies corrective measures to overcome operational constraints ;
• Coordinate activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). and relevant correspondence with stakeholders ;
• Review and monitor the project budget/s, prepares requests and revisions as required, maintains and monitors budget

expenditures and resources, reviews project transaction listings with a view to identify errors in accounting against budget lines ;

• At the applicable level, liaise with government, UN, cluster/sector, NGO and donor partners to ensure the best preparation and implementation of anticipatory action activities ;
• Monitor and provide support to anticipatory action agenda resource mobilization activities ;
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in public or business administration, finance, accounting, economics or related field ;
• Relevant experience in project operations and project management for the humanitarian and agricultural/rural development sectors

• Consultant level B (Expert) - at least 5 years of relevant experience
• Consultant level C (Specialist) - at least 1 year of relevant experience

• Working knowledge of English is required and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) would be an asset.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in carrying out time-sensitive operations within a humanitarian or development context;
• Work experience in more than one location, particularly in field positions is desirable ;
• Relevant experience and skills in programme, project formulation, analysis, planning, project implementation and monitoring at country and/or regional level ;
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset ;
• Extent of knowledge of international humanitarian architecture, including agencies, NGOs, and other partners ;
• Depth of knowledge of agricultural threats and crises ;
• Ability to operate effectively in a team, contributing positively to team operations and working relationships.

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Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

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