Programme Associate

2102b2102b

Staff in the General Service category are recruited locally from the Primary Location area, which is where the office is located.

• 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 Forestry Division (NFO) leads FAO's work in promoting sustainable forest management and providing leadership on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of forestry, including its contributions to poverty reduction and food security and nutrition. Staff of the Division liaises with Member Nations, civil society and the private sector in aspects ranging from development of effective forest policies to forest conservation and management issues and strengthens the role of forests in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Division also collects analyses and disseminates information on the world's forest resources and on the production, trade and consumption of wood and non-wood forest products.

The post is located in NFO at FAO headquarters, in Rome, Italy.

Main Purpose

The Programme Associate plays a lead role in the coordination of programme/projects support services for the Division. He/she performs a broad range of programme, planning and budgeting activities requiring in-depth analysis and interpretation of relevant policies, procedures and practices. The incumbent provides procedural guidance to managers and staff in the Division or location.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Programme Associate reports to the Deputy Director, NFO. Work is performed autonomously, showing a high degree of initiative and independent judgment. Supervision received is focused on facilitating service delivery. The incumbent provides guidance and training to programme support staff in the Division.

Working Relationships

The Programme Associate maintains a wide range of contacts with managers, staff and stakeholders inside and outside the Division. The incumbent collaborates closely with colleagues in other centres/divisions/offices and the corporate services, ensuring the quality and consistency of programme/projects support services.

Key Functions/Results

• Coordinate the preparation, submission, revision and follow-up of divisional budget, as well as the monitoring and provision of information on its implementation.
• Coordinate, review and analyse the Periodic Budgetary Reports as needed.
• Assemble and synthesize data from corporate and divisional data bases to facilitate the analysis of programmes, projects or activities, and to draft periodic or ad hoc management reports.
• Monitor projects and ensure the maintenance and retrieval of programming reference material, documentation, data and information.
• Consolidate and monitor various reports on human resources planning and expenditures, the use of non-staff resources, communication and publishing plans, IT plans and travel schedules.
• Screen incoming correspondence to identify issues requiring further attention and draft related correspondence.
• Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing across the centres/divisions/offices through training of staff and briefing of budget holders on administrative/budgetary/planning/programming/financial procedures and processes.
• Review current processes and make recommendations to improve programme/projects administration procedures.
• Perform other functions as required.

Impact Of Work

The incumbent's work impacts directly on the smooth and efficient operations of the programme/project activities of the Division. He/she plays a lead role in the coordination and provision of the programme support services for the successful achievement of the divisional mandate. He/she plays a pro-active role in the successful achievement of the divisional mandate.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Education: Secondary School Education.
Experience: Five years of experience in administrative/financial/planning/programming/budgeting activities.
Languages: Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
IT Skills: Good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.

Residency: General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit, and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. "Commuting distance" means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.

Competencies

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

Technical Skills

• Thorough knowledge of corporate information systems.
• Thorough knowledge of programme and budget processes and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of communication and documentation standards.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills

• Very good knowledge of the structure, programmes and priorities of the Organization.
• Experience in the use of the Organization's computerized programming, budgeting and accounting systems.
• Knowledge of the programme of work of the Division.
• Ability to plan, organize work and established priorities.
• Knowledge of and experience with trust funded project activities will be considered a strong asset.

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