Programme and Operational Management Specialist

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to More efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment and a Better life, leaving no one behind.

The post is located in the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF), FAO Forestry Division, which is a partnership between FAO, the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and AgriCord. The Forest and Farm Facility provides direct financial support and technical assistance to strengthen (sub)national, regional and global forest and farm producer organizations representing smallholders, rural women’s groups, local communities and indigenous peoples’ institutions. FFF offers a range of services to FFPOs including advocacy, sharing information, training in market analyses and development, incubating and supporting business, providing financial access and social programmes for their members. Through learning and exchange visits and links to regional and international federations, FFF also strengthens smallholder organization and capacity at national and global levels.

The purpose of this call is to provide FFF with a list of qualified candidates that may be suitable for different tasks as outlined below. The assignment can be home based with required travel for field missions.

Reporting Lines

The consultants/subscribers will report to the FFF Manager and/or FFF Forestry Officers, and other FAO Divisions as required.

Technical Focus

The assignments will support the Forestry Division in the implementation of the Programme Management (PA), Resource Mobilization (RM) and Natural Resources Management (NRM)

Tasks and responsibilities

• Contribute to the management of the FFF Programme portfolio supporting Forestry Officers in overviewing work in relevant countries and liaising with different FAO technical divisions
• Contribute to the annual report process, reviewing the contributions from team members and partners, ensuring coherence
• Ensure that donors requests are taken into consideration into FFF materials
• Support operational aspects (due diligence, quality assurance, monitoring, backstopping, revision of reports, etc.) of FAO programme and projects’ implementation modalities (LoAs, DBGs, OPIM, etc.) and respond to FAO internal requests
• Ensure that Steering Committee and MTE recommendations are implemented in the operations by the team
• Be the team’s focal point for FAO knowledge management and information sharing on new procedures, mandatory courses, etc.
• Assess capacity development needs aimed at producer organizations, and support the facilitation of training events
• Assist with the organization of events (e.g. Annual Retreat, International Conference in Viet Nam 2022, etc.)
• Assist with FAO internal resource mobilization activities and with the identification of potential regional financial and business support service partners to benefit producer organizations.
• Support to analyse and negotiate legal agreements, draft the necessary documents for contribution agreements (concept notes, risk management matrices, budgets, etc.), and lead the preparation and signature process of the donors contribution agreements
• Provide technical inputs in project proposal development and FFF implementation.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Political Science, Economics, Management, Business Administration, Law, Social Sciences, forestry, agriculture, natural resources, biological and environmental sciences or a related field
• Minimum one year for NRM and at least five years of relevant experience in programme/project management and/or resource mobilization
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one among French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian; for PSA/SBS working knowledge of English is sufficient.

FAO Core 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
• Extent and relevance of academic qualifications
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to write and/or edit documents clearly and concisely in English is considered a strong asset
• Excellent analytical skills, and demonstrated sense of initiative are considered strong assets
• Experience with multilateral climate mechanisms is considered an asset
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of FAO administrative processes and procedures would be an asset

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