Senior Administrative Officer

1A121A12

• 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 persons 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
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

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

Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning, and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with Offices and Divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAP also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAP develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) and other Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).
The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.
This position is located in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Reporting Lines
The Senior Administrative Officer reports to the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative (ADG/RR) and supervises and coordinates the operation of the Administrative Services Group (ASG).

Technical Focus
Provision of a full range of administrative services in support of FAO’s regular and other programmes carried out in the Region.

Key Results
Provide leadership, technical and policy guidance for the planning, development and implementation of projects, products and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework and in alignment with the Organization's Gender Policy.

Key Functions
• Advises the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative (ADG/RR) on the preparation/formulation of FAO's regional programme of work and budget, ensuring that these are in line with Regional Office (RO) work plans and in compliance with the approved Programme of Work and Budget.
• Advises the ADG/RR on the general administration and smooth functioning of the Regional Office and provides advice on a full range of management and administrative matters, with emphasis on the effective planning and utilization of human and financial resources.
• Supports the Shared Services Centre (SSC) hub, the Offshore Systems Development Centre (OSDC), the Regional Office Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (RO/ECTAD) and other regional projects as appropriate.
• Monitors availability of funds for RP programme and field projects; oversees preparation, monitoring and revision of the Regional Office budget; ensures that financial commitments, expenditures and periodic budgetary reports are controlled and in line with the established limits.
• Identifies operational, administrative and other constraints, which may affect programme implementation, and proposes solutions to improve quality, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness.
• Ensures the maintenance of a reliable IT infrastructure and strategy for the Regional Office.
• Supports the organization of the Regional Conference, World Food Day celebrations and other important meetings.
• Liaises with headquarters units to resolve complex issues and with the Internal and External Auditors; prepares management replies to audit observations and queries, liaises with other UN agencies on common services, and participates in UN Operational Management Team (OMT) meetings, as appropriate.
• Ensures the maintenance of the office premises and space requirements; ensures that premises have adequate security and they are Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS and E-MOSS) compliant.
• Provides advice and administrative support to the FAO Subregional Office, Country and Liaison Offices in the region;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Specific Functions
• Participates in the Regional Management Team (RMT);
• Oversees the general administration and smooth functioning of the Regional Office, the Subregional Office and the FAO Representations in the region;
• Oversees risk management, including fraud risk management, and internal controls in the Regional and Subregional Offices and FAO Representations, and implementation of mitigating actions;
• Develops the Regional Office’s coordinated approaches with the aim of further empowering Subregional and Country Offices by animating a regional network of senior administrative staff on operational and administrative matters;
• Provides advice on human resources management including recruitment, staffing and capacity development to ensure effective planning and utilization of human resources;
• Oversees the performance management of the Subregional Office and the FAO Representations;
• Provides guidance on administrative issues, performance evaluation and supervision of staff to managers and staff members;
• Interacts with internal and external auditors, ensuring responses to queries and recommendations;
• Ensures timely and quality operational, human resource and administrative support to the Subregional Coordinator and FAO Representatives from the Regional Office
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in business or public administration, law, accounting or a related field.
• Ten years of relevant experience in financial management, human resources management, administration and planning.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian.

Competencies
• Results Focus
• Leading, Engaging and Empowering Others
• Communication
• Partnering and Advocating
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills
• Extent and relevance of experience in financial management, human resources management, administration and planning.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
• Extent and relevance of experience in monitoring and evaluating work programme and resources.
• Demonstrated ability, initiative and judgement to enhance, modernize and innovate business processes and support change management initiatives, including using innovative technologies, approaches and tools in managing teams, business process, and in managing for results.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience, preferably within the UN system, of operational procedures and databases, accounting and financial modules and corporate applications.
• Extent and relevance of experience in risk management.
• Computer literacy, including knowledge of computerized Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems used in complex international organizations