NATIONAL PROJECT ASSISTANT

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, 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.

The European Union (EU) has established the Cambodia Programme for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Fisheries Sector (CAPFISH). The overall objective of the CAPFISH Programme is to support the Royal Government of Cambodia in the achievement of its long-term vision of social and economic development, food security and poverty reduction as initiated with the Deep Fisheries Reforms and laid down in the National Strategic Development Plan.

The stated objective of the capture fisheries component of the CAPFISH-Capture Fisheries programme is for Cambodia to have sustainable capture fisheries, contributing to food security and poverty reduction. The CAPFISH-Capture Fisheries programme comprises three interrelated pillars: 1. fisheries management and conservation; 2. post-harvest and trade; and 3. improvement and diversification of fisheries communities' livelihoods.

The specific outcome of the project is to improve the capacity to strengthen fisheries management at the community, district/provincial, and national levels.

Reporting Lines

The National Project Assistant will report to the Project’s Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) and will work in close collaboration/coordination with the Operations, Administration and Programme Units of the FAO Country Office in Cambodia.

Technical Focus

The National Project Assistant will ensure effective operations and implementation of projects. He/ she will ensure quality and consistency of the flow of administrative, financial and operational work and information.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative in Cambodia, the direct supervision of the Project’s CTA and in close collaboration with other project staff, the incumbent will provide overall administrative, financial and operational support. In particular, he/she shall perform the following tasks:

• Support the preparation of project proposals, Letter of Agreements (LoAs) and contracts according to FAO, United Nations (UN), government and donor requirements and procedures, from an operational/administrative perspective;
• Assist in the preparation of project documents, work plans, procurement plan, mid-term and final project reports from an operational/administrative perspective;
• Assist in the implementation of subsequent stages of the project life cycle (recruitment, procurement, budget handling, correspondence, etc.) from an operational/administrative perspective;
• Follow-up on submission of reports and payments to Service Providers;
• Prepare local travel authorizations and initiate in the system and monitor submission of mission travel claims;
• Review cash advance requests, cash advance clearances, and process payment requests for the project;
• Arrange hotel accommodations and flight bookings for visitors and consultants;
• Maintain filing system and ensure filing of documents and correspondence in accordance with FAO procedures;
• Assist in the procurement and i-procurement in the system;
• Participate in the identification of suppliers and maintain list of suppliers for the project;
• Keep and updated record of inventory of supplies; materials and assets under the project;
• Ensure that equipment is properly labelled and documented according to status and ownership.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor/Master degree in business administration or related fields
• Five years of relevant experience in project/programme management; administration, finance and operations
• Fluent in Khmer
• Working knowledge of English
• Cambodian National

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrate ability to innovate and work under pressure as well as in a team;
• Work experience with FAO, other UN agencies or with any other International Organizations would be considered as an asset.
• Proficiency in basic computer software (MS Word, MS Excel, and spreadsheet packages);
• Thorough knowledge of the administrative and procurement regulations and procedures of any public or international entity or organization

Selection Criteria

• Qualifications meeting the minimum requirements
• Demonstrate qualification and experience meeting technical focus and functional skills
• Demonstrate capacity to address the FAO core competencies

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION