Operations Officer (Head of Operations)

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The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

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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 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 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.

Organizational Setting
The FAO Country Office in Bangladesh (FABGD) is responsible for leading FAO's response to country priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the country. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the country and, in collaboration with the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), Divisions, Offices and Centres at FAO headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to these priorities. Through its Country Programming Framework (CPF) the Country Office supports policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, at country level and facilitates the emergence of country partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The position is based in the FAO Representation in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Reporting Lines
The Operations Officer is designated as the Head of Operations in the Country Office will report to the FAO Representative in Bangladesh. He/she collaborates with the Country Programme and Administrative Units and in consultation with the relevant technical units at FAO headquarters and the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP).

Technical Focus
Leads and coordinates the operational support function of the field programme, including development, emergency and rehabilitation projects.

Key Results
Effective and efficient coordination, as well as provision of the operational support to the field programme and project activities.

Key Functions
• Manages day-to-day operations on matters relating to the implementation of FAO field programmes, including emergency, rehabilitation and development project operations.
• Participates in the design and formulation of project proposals, ensures quality assurance under different funding arrangements.
• Coordinates project budget preparation, financial control, human resource management, travel, logistics, missions and operation backstopping to field offices.
• Oversees the support and strengthening of the operational structure, including training of national personnel, to ensure the necessary operational capacity is maintained for the implementation of the FAO field programme.
• Coordinates the preparation of emergency, rehabilitation and development project work plans, monitors progress and identifies corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
• Liaises with FAO technical units to ensure technical quality in programme and project activities.
• Analyses the Government requests for emergency, rehabilitation and development assistance and develops project and programme proposals to mobilize donor (and aid programmes of the UN system) funds for FAO operations in line with the Country Programming Framework (CPF).
• Supports resource mobilization efforts by liaising with donors (in line with the Resource Mobilization Strategy).
• Coordinates the preparation of briefs, financial and programme/project implementation reports, including final statements to governments and donors.
• Builds and maintains partnerships with relevant stakeholders and/or partners to develop capacity for efficient field programme/project delivery.
• Coordinates field monitoring, programming and assessment missions as required to assess the emerging needs and implementation of the project as well as to plan project activities.
• Liaises with other UN organizations and partners (non-governmental organizations, national authorities and donors, etc.) at the appropriate level on emergency response and development assistance.
• Coordinates and participates in technical and international meetings.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Specific Functions
• Advises the programme management of the office by participating in internal meetings, facilitating information sharing, planning/coordinating internal activities as well as supporting day-to-day operations of FAO Bangladesh projects.
• Coordinates the overall project's operations for FAO Bangladesh ensuring 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 by liaising with other support units.
• Provides guidance and leadership to members of the FAO Bangladesh operations teams on relevant procedures to be followed and supervises the assigned project personnel.
• Participates in interview panels for the recruitment of selected national and international personnel, coordinates the finalizing of the recruitment reports and onboarding of the various personnel.
• Oversees the budget management of assigned projects acting on behalf of the Budget Holder, maintaining and alerts, reviews and monitors about budget expenditures and resources including proposing budget revisions and financial reporting.
• Monitors FAO Bangladesh Extra-budgetary projects budget and oversees budget preparation, funding allocation, budget revisions, field budget authorizations, staff planning ensuring adherence to the organizations cost recovery policy.
• Performs the functions of the compliance in the country office to ensure adherence of the organization rules and procedures by all teams and contributes as a chair/member to the Local Procurement Committee (LPC) for the procurement of goods and services and acts as alternate quality assurance officer for Letters of Agreement (LOA).
• Participates in the preparation of project work plans, monitors progress and, where necessary, identifies corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
• Contributes to the formulation of project proposals according to FAO's procedures and prepare project documents for technical clearance and final approval under different funding arrangements and organizes and where requested chairs project task force meetings.
• Contributes to funding mobilization efforts for the FAO programme by reviewing the quality and timely inputs to programme preparation as well as preparation of programmatic and strategic documents and project proposals.
• Ensures the complete and quality of data and documentation in the FAO corporate systems for all assigned operational field projects/activities.
• Performs other duties as required.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in public or business administration and management, international relations or another field related to the work of the Organization;
• Seven years of relevant experience in the management and administration, operations and support of emergency - rehabilitation and development programmes;
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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.
• Extent and relevance of experience in field programme/project operations in the food security and agriculture sector.
• Familiarity with FAO's Project cycle guidelines and knowledge of FAO processes and administrative systems is considered a strong asset.
• Extent and relevance of experience in liaising with international donor organizations and development partners and in preparing proposals for funding, monitoring budgets and preparing financial reports in donor specific formats.
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project management and ability to develop plans for the implementation and coordination of project operations in developing countries, in partnership with UN agencies and other concerned stakeholders and/or partners.
• Knowledge of country programme operations issues in Bangladesh is considered a strong asset.