Programme Support Assistant, SC3

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a technical knowledge-based organization marching forward with policy dialogues and advocating for the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all ; and, the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations in the underdeveloped countries. Our three main goals are : the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all; and, the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Support Assistant is a SC3 and under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR Programme and close collaboration with the National Specialist (Programme) and the respective FAO Bangladesh Programme and Administrative Units, Programme Support Assistant will provide required programme support to the Emergency and Resilience Unit (ERU)/other Programme Unit.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will lead the implementation of project activities for the Programme/Emergency and Resilience Unit.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Respond to a variety of routine queries and provide clarifications on programme and project matters; inform management and team members of processes, procedures and timeframes to secure administrative services needed for programme/project execution; initiate correspondence to verify data, obtain additional information on transactions and budgetary matters.
• Assist in programme interventions of emergency projects as well as Programme Unit.
• Assist ERU/Programme team lead to represent HCTT Clusters and Working Group meetings and internal emergency/project meetings.
• Initiate capacity development activities of ERU/Programme team and projects partners.
• Assist NPS-ERU to liaison with the Government Offices and partnership management for effective programme implementation.
• Ensure daily, weekly and monthly reporting according to prescribe templates for programme and donors
• Management and record keeping of important project related documents (contracts, amendments, letters) and other relevant resources as required
• Assist ERU/Programme Units donors and partners mapping with regular updating of relevant tools
• Preliminary research work and context analysis to support project design and fundraising prospects
• Assemble and synthesize data from different sources to facilitate the analysis of programmes, projects and activities, and to draft periodic or ad hoc management reports
• Screen incoming correspondence to identify issues requiring further attention and draft related correspondence
• Provide administrative and logistics support to programme meetings, workshops and conferences, draft meeting minutes.
• Review current processes and make recommendations to improve programme/projects administration procedures
• Prepare event/workshop/seminar budgets; cash advance requests, process vendor’s payment requests through DV for matched and unmatched invoices. Arrange local travel, hotel accommodations and flight bookings for national project staffs, visitors and consultants.
• Participate in all programme meetings and take meeting minutes for further follow up with project supervisors and ERU team
• Any other task assigned by the Supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor in science or social science discipline. Preference will be given to candidates with undergraduate and/or postgraduate degree in Environmental Science/Climate Change, Geography, Agriculture, Statistics, and Development Studies.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience to handle a programme and information management including work experience with national and international NGO’s, Universities, UN agencies, governments and donors.
• Working knowledge of English.
• National of Bangladesh.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong analytical skills: ability to summarize and present complex information in effective manner.
• Skills in networking, negotiation, persuasion and advocacy for mainstreaming new concepts and approaches.
• Timely completion of assigned tasks
• Fluency in English and Bangla (both oral and written);
• Proficient computer skills - Microsoft Office software, email, internet, spread sheets;
• Survey designs questionnaire development;
• Skills in staff management and capacity development.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION