National Professional Officer (Programme)

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Organizational Setting

The project “Support to Civil Protection and Disaster Resilience Strengthening in the Republic of Serbia”, funded by the European Union, has been developed to improve national and local level capacities for disaster risk reduction and climate resilient agriculture in the Republic of Serbia. During the four years implementation period, its overall aim is to address current gaps identified in the disaster risk resilience sector, namely limited technical capacities and lack of cooperation between different stakeholders and is to mainstream Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRR/M) and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) across policies, strategies and practices in the agricultural sector at national and local level in the Republic of Serbia.

The intervention is part of FAO’s programme in Serbia that intends to assist the local authorities 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.

The position is located in Belgrade, Serbia, with the possibility of in-country missions.

Reporting Lines

The National Professional Officer (Programme) reports to the Field Programme Officer and works in close cooperation with the National Field Project Specialist, Operations Specialist, technical subject matter specialists and FAO technical units.

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.

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

• Liaises and assists government authorities and local, national and international institutions in the areas of FAO's activities in the country and with other United Nations (UN) agencies. He/she may represent FAO at inter-agency meetings as required;

• Promotes the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization's mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities including development and maintenance of communication tools such as website, press releases and publications, and support the implementation of FAO's regulatory framework (Codex Alimentarius, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Safe Use of Pesticides, etc.) in the country;

• Coordinates the collection, consolidation and maintenance of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries including information on external aid in FAO's corporate systems and monitor changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector;

• Participates in producing technical, economic and policy studies as required and developing country level development frameworks such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF);

• Participates in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals and monitors and reviews the status of programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; identifies inconsistencies and delays and, when necessary, proposes corrective measures to overcome operational constraints;

• Briefs, trains and supervises junior staff; ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements as well as accuracy and diligence of the work provided;

• Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National of Serbia;

• Advanced University degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, forestry, fisheries, or any other field related to the work of the Organization;

• Two years of relevant experience in agricultural development and/or project implementation in an area of FAO's activities in the country;

• Level C of the official communication language used for FAO communication with the country (English)

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

Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• 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 development and management;

• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO;

• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of policy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development;

• Extent and relevance of experience in the collection of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries;

• Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals as well as programme/project implementation, monitoring and review.